Leadership should be linked to and flow from what the Scriptures portray as the kind of reputation churches should have. This contrasts with a reputation linked to and flowing from a philosophy of pragmatism, preoccupation with larger and larger churches, division, leadership untethered to scripture (by polling data, mob rule, bully pulpits, passivity, etc.), promotion of self, and ungodly leadership running and ruining churches. What should we be looking for in our churches when it comes to leadership?

First, we look for believers who Imitate the Lord Jesus Christ and are a model for believers.

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian church provides examples of the Godly reputation the church at Thessalonica was known. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In 1:4-5 Paul writes about how this came about, “For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

In 1:6-7 Paul reminds them, “You became imitators of us and the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.”

The Thessalonian Church became imitators of the Lord and a model to all believers.

Now, that is a reputation!

Further, their faith in God became known everywhere. Paul again describes this multifaceted implication of following the Lord in 1:8-10, “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

God’s messengers can be mistreated and even rejected, but Lord-centered believers dare to tell others the good news in these difficulties (2:2). The church at Thessalonica was grateful for God’s messengers while subjected to difficulties. Paul reminds them in verse 6 that they “received the word in much tribulation” but “with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” It is sometimes costly to accept truth even before professing believers. God preserved these believers and sustained them.

What are we looking for in leaders? We should look for people in the church who imitate the Lord. Leaders must model this to other believers.