Leaders and Deacons

3 Here is a saying you can trust. If anyone wants to be a leader in the church, he wants to do a good work for God and people.

2A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach. 3He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must be gentle. He must not be a person who likes to argue. He must not love money.

4He must manage his own family well. He must make sure that his children obey him and show him proper respect. 5Suppose someone doesn’t know how to manage his own family. Then how can he take care of God’s church?

6The leader must not be a new believer. If he is, he might become proud. Then he would be judged just like the devil.

7The leader must also be respected by those who are outside the church. Then he will not be put to shame. He will not fall into the devil’s trap.