A Church Leader’s Biblical Responsibilities

by Dr. Paul E. Paino | Updated February 18th, 2023

No person should assume the role of leadership in the body of Christ without carefully assessing what is expected of them. Church leaders have certain biblical responsibilities placed on them by scripture.

God will raise up pastors, elders, deacons, ushers, and ministry leaders when we seek Him for the development of leadership in our church. Church leaders should:

1. Be willing to restore a fallen brother.

They should have a heart for people who are hurt or hurting and reach out to those who have stumbled or fallen.

Galatians 6:1 – “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.”

2. Understand spiritual truths and demonstrate spiritual enlightenment.

1 Corinthians 2:11-13 – “For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

3. Avoid divisions and arguments.

While it’s impossible to keep divisive issues from flowing through the body of Christ, true spiritual leaders refuse to get involved in them and stop division before it takes root.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 – “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as carnal, even as to babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat, for you were not able to bear it, nor are you now able. For you are yet carnal, for there is among you envying, strife, and divisions, are you not carnal and walk as men?”

4. Have a positive awareness of the will of God.

1 Corinthians 2:15-16 – “He that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.”

Ephesians 5:16-17 – “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

5. Edify and encourage others.

A truly spiritual person has compassion toward people in the body of Christ.

Romans 15:1-3 – “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached you fell on me.”

6. Be patient toward those in opposition to leadership.

When people oppose the will of God or the church, spiritual leaders must patiently instruct them.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 – “The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

7. Be aware of the gifts of the Spirit.

They must be able to judge whether manifestations are spiritual and functioning properly.

1 Corinthians 12:1 – “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”

1 corinthians 14:37 – “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 14:29 – “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.”

8. Offer spiritual sacrifices and worship.

A good leader is more consumed with worship, praise and blessing God than the pleasures of the world.

1 Peter 2:5 – “You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:19 – “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

9. Have a spiritual mind.

They do not give place to carnal things like unclean thoughts, foolish words, and silly jesting, which are in opposition to the character of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:5-6 – “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

10. Understand the importance of their calling.

There is no greater responsibility than leading the church. This is why the Word of God gives such high standards for Christian leadership. The stringent requirements not only strengthen the church, but also the ministry leader.