Saved, Safe, Sensible— Key Qualities of Church Leaders

saved safe sensible

SAVED, SAFE, SENSIBLE. Let me explain what I mean by “saved, safe, sensible” from 1 Timothy 3:2. “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable…” This verse show God’s first six requirements to consider every time we evaluate a leader.

First, he must stay “above reproach.” If he focuses on answering reproaches, he will spend more time watching out for himself. And less time watching out for others.

Secondly, “the husband of one wife” literally means, a one-woman man. Whether married or single, he should not have a romantic interest in more than one woman.

Thirdly, “temperate” in the Greek means circumspect, like a shepherd or watchman. He must watch over his church members for their good. Not only to make sure they are saved, but that they are safe to be with.

We want our members free in the Holy Spirit, but staying within safe boundaries. So when anyone goes out of bounds, in the way he treats or touches anyone else, a leader should be free to bring him back within respectful limits. That way we can nip inappropriate behavior in the bud.

Discerning the body of Christ

Fourthly, “prudent” means sensible or discerning. And sensible means not only having good sense. It means sensing an environment spiritually as well as physically. This can extend to discerning the body, which God calls us to do each time we take communion. “For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly” (1 Cor. 11:29).

To discern the body of Christ means to sense how the parts of the body are relating to each other. Not only physically but spiritually. The leader must encourage and oversee healthy interaction that builds up the body of Christ.

Fifthly, “respectable” means of good behavior. If we respect others, we will behave well. 1 Peter 3:16 says we should witness to them “with gentleness and respect… so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Sixthly, “hospitable” means accessible. Not just having a safe space at home for others to enter and enjoy. But also making a safe space wherever members meet. By safe space I mean a space where saved people feel safe with each other. And who have a leader who is sensible enough keep the right boundaries while allowing freedom in the Holy Spirit.

“Saved, safe, and sensible” in the sense of keeping sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Then any unsaved person who comes will also sense the Holy Spirit in that place. As 1 Corinthians 14:25 says, “if an unbeliever…enters”, he will declare, “God is certainly among you” (1 Cor. 14:25). This kind of leadership will develop the healthy kind of fellowship that will make more disciples.

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