Every Church I know of has some standards of appropriate behavior, morality, modesty and interaction with others.  I have posted on twitter before something like, “Anyone with higher standards than mine is a LEGALIST.  Anyone with lower standards than mine is a COMPROMISER.” I’m sure that not everyone agrees with me on every standard that I implemented at Shawnee Baptist Church when I was pastor.  Of course they have a rightto be wrong …  :^)  

I believe that every church has a responsibility to hold people in leadership positions to a Biblical standard.  After all, they are not just teaching for one hour on Sunday.  They are a representative of the church and the Lord at all times.  The “Guidelines and Standards” I have listed below are a good outline to get started.  None of us are perfect but we should be expected to live by Biblical principals.

One quick illustration and then the list.  What a shame it would be for a child to see a church member staggering out of a bar on Saturday evening and then on Sunday have that church member as a Sunday School Teacher, see them singing in the choir or leading the church in prayer.

_____________________________________________________

GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS FOR CHURCH LEADERS                        2Corinthians 5:20  “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God                 did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

Let’s never forget that we are Ambassadors for our families, our employers, our church, our country, etc.  But the area that carries the greatest weight of responsibility is that of being an Ambassador for Christ.  That is not the preacher’s tool to keep us in subjection.  It is rather a divine appointment from the King of the universe, our sovereign God.

1. God has given us a ministry… the ministry of reconciliation.

2. God has given us the tool to perform the ministry… the Word of reconciliation.

3. God has given us an office… the office of Ambassadors.

Christians that have decided to count for Christ must also be willing or even desirous to live for Him.  We don’t have to have standards, we get to have standards.  The major benefit of submission to God and his Word is our availability to God that results in fullness of the Holy Spirit.  4. God offers us a power…. the power of the Holy Spirit working through us.

Things every worker for Christ should seriously consider:

1. ___-You must have a testimony of the new birth.

2. ___-You must be Scripturally baptized and in good standing.

3. ___-You must faithfully attend all events of your church that pertain to you unless hindered by circumstances beyond your control.

4.___ -You must be loyal to the church program, the pastor and staff, fellow workers, and most importantly to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

5.___- You must be in agreement with Bible based doctrines of your church.

6.___- You must be in agreement and involved in reaching the lost.

7.___- You must view your service as a God assigned ministry.  It will be difficult to continue in tough times with anything less.

8.___- You must be separate from the world (including but not limited to entertainment, attire, habits, friendships, etc).

9.___- You must always represent your Lord and your church in the most appropriate and Scriptural manner.

1Co 14:40  “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Let me conclude by saying that having standards in your life makes God love you more.  It does send a message to God that you are available and yielded.  If you want to have God’s power in your life then allow Him to be Lord of your life.  Be available.  The best ability is availability.  Luke 6:46 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”