In this article, you will find 21 Bible verses about leadership in the church. Inspiring, encouraging, and useful for everyone serving as a pastor, elder, or deacon in a local church.
An important part of serving in leadership is knowing how to do it well. Scripture has a lot to say about what being a leader looks like, how we should cultivate and nurture leaders, and why we should care about ministry leadership development. Here are 21 examples of Bible verses about leadership for the Church.
Why is leadership important in the church?
Leadership is important in the church because it helps us to grow and become the people God has called us to be. It helps us to develop character, which is essential if we are going to be able to live our lives as followers of Christ.
Leadership also helps us to learn how to work with others and how to communicate effectively. This is important for all areas of life, not just church leadership.
In addition, leadership gives us opportunities to serve others and help them grow spiritually as well as personally. A good leader will always be concerned about the needs of those who follow him or her.
Bible verses about leadership in the church
If you’re a leader in the church and are looking for some Bible verses that reveal what being a good leader is, then you’ve come to the right place.
1 Timothy 4:12 – Leading by Example
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
~1 Timothy 4:12
Paul told Timothy to set an example, and it had to come from a selfless heart yearning for righteousness.
We shall never know how to love if we do not believe by faith that Jesus died for our sins.
Love comes from God and is God. And if we don’t know how to love others through Christ’s love, our intentions will be impure, affecting our speech and behavior directly.
We shall never know how to love if we do not believe by faith that Jesus died for our sins. Love comes from God and is God. And if we don’t know how to love others through Christ’s love, our intentions will be impure, affecting our speech and behavior directly.
Exodus 18:21 – Leading with the fear of God
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
~Exodus 18:21
Moses is an image of Christ in that he is employed as a lawgiver and judge among them, having been used to free Israel from the house of slavery.
If the people were as fractious with one another as they were with God, Moses would undoubtedly be confronted with a slew of issues.
Moses was called to this business, and it appears that he handled it with great care and kindness. The most heinous Israelite was welcome to present his case to him.
From sunrise to sunset, Moses went about his work. Jethro believed it was too much for him to handle on his own, and that it would make the administration of justice tedious.
Romans 12:11-13 – Honor one another
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
~Romans 12:11-13
Christians are commanded by Paul to try to outdo one another in terms of honoring one another. He says that our enthusiasm must not be squandered.
Paul is urging us to be active in our efforts to honor one another. He may be encouraging us to live with zeal or enthusiasm in general, to stay focused, intentional, and optimistic about our goal of treating one another well in the body of Christ.
He takes enthusiasm to a new level by stating that we must be fiery in spirit and maintain our spiritual ardor. The Greek word ‘zeontes’ is related to the root word for “life,” and the phrase is derived from it.
Jeremiah 23:1 – Unifying the body of Christ
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
~Jeremiah 23:1
Even if only a remnant of God’s flock remains, he will track them down and return them to their former homes.
Christ is referred to as a descendant of David’s line.
He is righteous in himself, and all of his people are rendered righteous through him.
Satan’s usurped power will be broken by Christ.
All of Abraham’s and Jacob’s spiritual descendants will be safeguarded and delivered from the guilt and tyranny of sin.
Matthew 20:26 – True Leadership
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.
~Matthew 20:26
Serving others is where true leadership can be discovered.
This will look different depending on the workplace and situation. This does not imply that a Church leader must sweep the floors or clean the toilets every month, nor that any employee can use helping someone else as an excuse for not completing their work adequately.
It does imply that we approach all of our work to benefit our customers, coworkers, shareholders, and others who are impacted by our job.
Proverbs 11:14 – Leading as a counselor
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
~Proverbs 11:14
To seek aid, one must first understand who he or she is and have a strong sense of self-established in God’s image and salvation through Christ alone.
There is no insecurity or arrogance in this individual, only strength and confidence bolstered by humility.
When one is free in this sense, it is easier to ask for aid when it is required. Recognizing when someone may know more than you and seeking a truly unbiased perspective from someone who thinks for themselves and isn’t just your yes man requires humility.
On the other hand, if you are unable to decide at any point, you must treat it as your own and accept responsibility for the consequences.
1 Peter 5:3
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock
~1 Peter 5:3
This scripture offers elders precise instructions on how to cheerfully, eagerly, and by example lead the flock of God.
To each other and to God, who opposes the haughty, we must all live in humility. We throw our worries on the Father who loves us in humility. We must be attentive and clear-headed while on the lookout for our adversary, the devil, who attempts to ruin us.
We fight him by focusing on keeping our faith strong and trusting God to keep His promises.
Psalm 78:72 – Serve with Trust
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
~Psalm 78:72
It is a song that incorporates lessons from the past that are intended to help us learn from the past, motivate us to make the right decisions in the present, and live as God has commanded.
Throughout the Psalm, the tragic remembrance of Israel’s rebellious, disobedient, and ungrateful nation that forgot God’s benevolence and despised His loving-kindness to their forefathers can be found.
1 Corinthians 12:12 – Christ is the goal
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
~1 Corinthians 12:12
This passage referred to Paul’s teaching on the spiritual gifts as they cooperate to empower God’s will for the church.
The Christian church is like a human body. It is one individual organism made up of many different parts that serve a wide variety of functions.
All those functions matter. Nobody should decide they don’t like their gift or their role in the church and try to quit.
The body needs each member to do its part to work properly. We must respect and value each other for the vital roles we serve in the church.
Hebrews 13:7 – Respect to Leaders
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
~Hebrews 13:7
These instructions were meant to direct Christian behavior.
Our knowing that Christ is on our side is the ultimate source of assurance for Christian living in the face of adversity.
The writer advised that it is necessary to show respect for Christian leaders.
This could be a call for cooperation under those leaders’ spiritual supervision.
Spiritual growth is supposed to happen through discipleship, which entails a more mature believer assisting in the growth of a younger believer.
Acts 20:28 – Spread the Gospel
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
~Acts 20:28
Paul’s primary focus was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He preached fearlessly in public places and went from house to house, testifying to both Jews and Gentiles of the need for repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul was deeply concerned about everyone’s spiritual well-being. He was unconcerned about the danger he was putting himself in during his endeavor.
As a result, Paul did not preach a sugar-coated gospel that pleased the people’s ears. Paul preached the whole counsel of God so that he could stand before the Lord without shame, knowing that he had fought a good battle, kept the faith, and finished the race.
Bible verses on being a spiritual leader
We all want to understand more about spiritual leadership and how to be a good one. The Bible is full of verses on moral, ethical, and spiritual leadership, so we can learn from the wisdom of those who came before us. Here are a few Bible verses that relate to being a spiritual leader.
Matthew 23:3
So practice and observe whatever they tell you—but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
~Matthew 23:3
Jesus condemned Israel’s religious leaders who were the scribes and the Pharisees.
He cautions people who are listening not to emulate them since they do not practice what they teach.
Their words indicate enormous responsibilities, but their deeds do not. They do not attempt to assist others in meeting those standards.
In reality, everything they do is for the show, with the sole purpose of being observed and approved by others. They put on a show of religious garb and symbolism, jostle for front-row seats wherever they go, and take great delight in their lofty spiritual titles.
Acts 17:11
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
~Acts 17:11
The Bereans became a church that becomes a model for all of Christianity.
By threatening the church members, the jealous Jews of Thessalonica forced Paul and Silas out of town.
The church, unwilling to suffer any more persecution than is necessary, sent the two to Berea.
The Bereans respond with cautious suspicion when the evangelists explain how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophesies concerning Jesus.
They examine the predictions, verify Paul’s message, and discover he is correct. Unfortunately, Jews from Thessalonica arrive and wreak such havoc that the new Berean church excommunicates Paul and sends him to Athens.
Luke 22:26
But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
~Luke 22:26
This scripture is a lesson that everyone who is actively serving Christ must remember.
It also applies to Christians who are not serving the Lord and are sitting on the bench.
Every Christian has been given at least one spiritual gift, which they are to use to serve one another, according to the Bible (1 Pet. 4:10).
Being a servant of Christ entails more than merely volunteering to teach Sunday School or conduct other church work.
Being a servant is a mindset in which you make yourself accessible to Christ every day and ask Him to use you in any way He sees fit. It could be as simple as saying a few words about Jesus to someone who needs to hear it.
Bible verses on church management
When you’ve been the pastor of the same church for twenty-five years, and have experienced all the good times and bad that a church could possibly offer, you learn a lot. Here are some Bible verses on church management that I’ve learned throughout my many years serving God’s people.
1 Corinthians 14:40
But all things must be done in a properly and in an orderly manner.
~1 Corinthians 14:40
Paul had been discussing the use of prophecies and tongues in the church.
Tongues were to be utilized to demonstrate to an unbeliever that God was present and active.
The purpose of prophecies was to edify and build up the believer.
Both prophecies and tongues are viewed differently by different churches. Everything in a church, no matter what the religion, must be done in an orderly manner, according to Paul.
2 Corinthians 9:12
For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
~2 Corinthians 9:12
Paul is pleading with the Corinthians to give freely to alleviate the needs of Jerusalem’s suffering Jewish Christians.
They are in desperate need as a result of the persecution they are facing. This verse implies that meeting these people’s needs is merely one of the reasons for contributing to a “mission of service.” Another accomplishment is that this service is filled with numerous thanksgiving to God.
Those who receive the gift express thankfulness to God when a believer chooses to give generously. One approach to bringing something to God that He desires is through Christian generosity.
Romans 16:1-2
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.
~Romans 16:1-2
Paul required someone to deliver a lengthy letter to the Christians in Rome. Phoebe had gone to Rome on business and offered to take the letter with her on her next visit.
Phoebe, like Lydia, utilized her wealth and position to help the Christian church flourish. She even used a business trip to preach the word about Jesus.
She didn’t only deliver a man’s message, either. In her own right, Phoebe was a church leader.
How are church leaders chosen?
Church leaders are appointed by the congregation. The appointment is made by a vote of the members who have the right to vote, and it occurs at a church meeting. If you are interested in becoming a church leader, you should attend services regularly and get to know the other members of your congregation.
The business meeting where this takes place is called a congregational meeting or congregational session. It is also called “the church business meeting” or simply “the business meeting.”
Before the business meeting starts, there will be some time for people to arrive and find seats. The minister or presiding elder presides over the meeting and opens with prayer. Some churches ask their pastor to open with prayer every time they meet, even if they do not have an official business meeting (or if they do not have a pastor).
After opening with prayer or singing a hymn, those present will usually elect an “elder” or “deacon” to preside over the business meeting as chairman (or moderator). In some churches, these officers serve for only one year; in others, they serve several years in succession (there are no limits). The elder/deacon chairs all meetings until someone else is elected as chairman for that particular
Bible verses about choosing church leaders
When choosing pastors or other church leaders there are certain passages in the Bible to guide this important decision. Below are inspirational verses about choosing pastors and other church leaders.
Acts 15:22
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,
~Acts 15:22
Those who would burden believers with theological and doctrinal excess have existed throughout the church’s history.
They create their concepts and then want everyone else to follow them. In essence, these theological add-ons are burdens that muddle the original Gospel and even turn it into something altogether different, not good news but possibly harmful news.
People, not God, will always be glorified through works of salvation. When individuals set criteria for salvation that is not necessary by God, this is referred to as works.
The Gospel was just starting to spread to various parts of the world, and almost immediately, others felt there wasn’t enough hard work, severe laws, or struggle involved.
Acts 6:3
Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
~Acts 6:3
God has used the conflict to sharpen belief and knowledge throughout Christianity’s history. Until this point, the Holy Spirit had been working in the hearts of Jesus’ followers to see to their practical needs.
If the group is small and the members are dedicated and attentive, there is nothing wrong with this management approach.
The church’s leadership requires some organization. Not only are the apostles willing to relinquish control of money and possessions, but they’re also willing to let others determine who will manage them.
This delegating of responsibilities is in line with the Old Testament. Moses made the prudent decision to establish the Israelites in the Promised Land.
Bible verses on the role of the church
What is the role of the Church? The Church, who is it in the eyes of God? What is the purpose of the Church? Browse through a list of popular (and some not as popular) Bible verses on the role of the church. Your faith will grow!
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
~Matthew 28:19-20
The Lord gave the Church their great commission just before His Ascension to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
However, discipleship is not the same as becoming a Christian. True discipleship can only take place after salvation because a disciple is someone who learns about Christ and continues to learn about Him.
Christ issued the command to make disciples of all countries. A disciple of Christ is a student of Christ, and we are all invited to be disciples of Christ, to study and grow in our faith.
Hebrews 10:25
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
~Hebrews 10:25
The Bible not only encourages, but also commands, personal contact with fellow Christians.
The preceding verse provided a practical rationale for this. One way to be encouraged to carry out the faith we declare is to form relationships with other believers.
Through our spiritual growth, we are called to “hold fast.” Having Christian models around us, on the other hand, has a big impact on our faith growth.
This is why, according to Matthew 28:18–20, the church’s mission is to “create disciples,” not just to talk about Jesus. Christians were commanded to seek opportunities to inspire people to love and do good acts. This verse expresses disapproval of Christians who refuse to gather with other Christians
What Bible says about church leadership
Although the Bible teaches that servanthood is at the heart of leadership (Mark 10:42-45), it also teaches that real leaders have power in the sense of being able to command others.
This authority originates from God and is given to leaders for the church’s good.
(Hebrews 13:17)
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
(Hebrews 13:17)
