“Know who you are” “Recognise and resist wrong ideas” “Guidance of homosexuality” “Encourage Prayer” “Fight the battle” “God wants all to be saved” “Character of a leader” “The Value of Women” “Godliness from Jesus” “Overcoming fear in faith” “Setting an example” “Scripture and gifting” “Care for other generations” “Dealing with Gossip” “Issues facing the Church”

5 Controversies in Church leadership 1. Money and Church leaders 2. Accusations and Church leaders 3. Favouritism and Church leaders Why do Churches go on about money? How should Churches respond to accusations? 4. Recruitment and Church leaders 5. Alcohol and Church leaders How should churches respond to people they don’t like? What do we do if we can’t find someone to lead? How much should a leader drink?

1 Timothy 5 24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. 5 Controversies in Church leadership

1 Timothy 5 24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. 5 Controversies in Church leadership Sometimes the sins of the Church are clear for all the world to see

1 Timothy 5 24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. 5 Controversies in Church leadership Sometimes the sins of the Church are clear for all the world to see Sometimes they are revealed later

1 Timothy 5 24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. 5 Controversies in Church leadership Sometimes the sins of the Church are clear for all the world to see Sometimes they are revealed later So do what is right!

1 Timothy 5 24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. 5 Controversies in Church leadership Sometimes the sins of the Church are clear for all the world to see Sometimes they are revealed later So do what is right! even if not seen by others yet

1 Timothy 5 23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 5. Alcohol and Church leaders How much should a leader drink? Timothy probably teetotal

1 Timothy 5 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 4. Recruitment and Church leaders What do we do if we can’t find someone to lead? Do not appoint to leadership people... - We hardly know - Who push themselves forward (volunteer to serve not to lead) - Whose lives lack integrity

1 Timothy 5 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favouritism. 3. Favouritism and Church leaders How should churches respond to people they don’t like? Churches should not favour the... wealthy sweet smelling well behaved like minded culturally similar

2. Accusations and Church leaders How should Churches respond to accusations? 2 dangers Excusing/covering up sin Allowing reputations to be damaged by false accusation

1 Timothy 5 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 2. Accusations and Church leaders How should Churches respond to accusations?

1 Timothy 5 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 2. Accusations and Church leaders How should Churches respond to accusations?

1 Timothy 5 17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “Workers deserve their wages.” 1. Money and Church leaders Some people are needed to give time to the Church work instead of earning their living Service needs to be more than spare time to do well Why do Churches go on about money?

1 Timothy 5 17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “Workers deserve their wages.” 1. Money and Church leaders Wages should not be a cause of resentment Why do Churches go on about money? How should a Church raise money?

1. Money and Church leaders But breeds entitlement complacency dependence vulnerability to cutbacks 1 Timothy “Workers deserve their wages.” Grant? How should a Church raise money?

1. Money and Church leaders How should a Church raise money? Excludes the poor Excludes the uninterested 1 Timothy “Workers deserve their wages.” Grant? Charge per activity?

1 Timothy “Workers deserve their wages.” 1. Money and Church leaders How should a Church raise money? Grant? Charge per activity? Charge each member? Set figure? - unfair Percentage tax? What percentage? Nehemiah “Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.

1 Timothy “Workers deserve their wages.” 1. Money and Church leaders How should a Church raise money? Grant? Charge per activity? Charge each member? Not a choice Set figure? - unfair Percentage tax? What percentage? Nehemiah “Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work. Legalism

1 Timothy “Workers deserve their wages.” 1. Money and Church leaders How should a Church raise money? Grant? Charge per activity? Charge each member? Free will offering How much? Affordability?Value?Percentage? Psalms 54 6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.

1 Timothy “Workers deserve their wages.” 1. Money and Church leaders How should a Church raise money? “set aside” Deuteronomy Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year 10 th take home income for Church, charity, local need 10 th pre-tax income for Church, charity, local need 12 th - 4% +4% +4% 15 th - 5% +5%+5% 30 th ? Giving: a journey into generosity

Questions to reflect on 1. Money 2. Accusations 3. Favouritism Am I giving all that God wants me to? Am I harbouring resentment based on the word of one other? 4. Recruitment 5. Alcohol Am I prone to favouritism? Am I willing to wait, for the opportunity to have greater responsibility? Do I drink the right amount?