a theology of #church #leadership in 10 points

the 10 points are summarised from this 2014 Faith & Order Commission document - Senior Church Leadership - a resource for refection

1) God calls & redeems people to become a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Exodus 19.6) & a light to the nations (Isaiah 49.6)

2) and the gifts of the spirit are given to the whole church (1 Corinthians 12.27–30; Ephesians 4.11–12)

3) so the primary exercise of leadership in the church is God’s. (1 Corinthians 12.4–6)

4) but God does call individuals to exercise leadership in and for the people of God

5) as a participation in God’s leadership of the whole people.

6) So the Lord of the Church calls both the church and its leaders to his service 

7) Entrusting both to bring God’s word and pastoral care to a world in need

8) Note that God’s interactions with the world are not confined to the church

9) and that church leadership is both local and at a trans-local level (Hebrews 13.7, 17, 24, 1 Peter 5.1–5, Acts 20.17-35)

10) and that the ethos of leadership in the church is as stewards (1 Corinthians 4.1, Luke 12.41–48) and pastors/shepherds (Ephesians 4.11, Luke 15.3-7, Matthew 18.10–14, John 21.15–17)