From chapter 5: “The Horn of Anointing”

Again, we learn that it is perfectly acceptable to desire the position of bishop (1 Tim. 3:1), and in the following verse, combined with Titus 1:7, we are given all the necessary characteristics that must appear of the aspiring bishop’s CV: “Blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour, hospitable, able to teach . . . not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money.” But as I have said, having “a servant heart” is not of itself a ticket to leadership status, any more than being particularly gifted is a qualification, or even ticking every character box in the job application for Bishop. We learn from Ephesians 4 that the leadership ministries – apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher – are gifts given to the Church by Jesus. Whether or not we seek authority in the church, it can only be conferred by God. Jesus Himself, our ultimate leadership role model, announced Himself by saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me .” (Luke 4:18).

So how do we know if a man or woman is a leader chosen by the Lord? Gifting of itself is not a sign, for we know from 1 Corinthians 14 that the Holy Spirit gives gifts as he chooses. We know that having a servant heart, and even fulfilling all the human qualifications for eldership listed by Paul in the letters to Timothy and Titus are not of themselves enough. For the Church seeking to appoint leaders, I suggest that the key is in Judges 6:34: “The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.” Do people gather to this person because they see that the Holy Spirit is on him? If they do, he can be expected to lead them into victory over the Midianites that they face, because “Father is (his) help”. If they don’t – look for someone else.