ted4leaders

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Greetings,

I have been addressing the instructions given by Paul as an apostle, to Timothy as a pastor in the church. I believe that the principals, patterns, and values found in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are kingdom realities for leaders in the church today. It is not the legalism of Paul’s words, but the substance of his words that reveals key elements in the responsibility of leaders in any church in any time.

Paul instructed Timothy to be aware that people would depart from the faith and would give heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons. They would speak lies in hypocrisy, have hardened consciences, forbid to marry, and command legalistic rules concerning what to eat, what not to eat, what to do, and not to do as a matter of religious rules or superstitions. These were realities at the time of Timothy and church history reveals that these things continued as patterns of heresy in the church in successive generations. These were real deceptions at the end of the Old Covenant and the beginning of the New Covenant. These things are dangers in every church, and they are often the default mode of people in their efforts to do works to justify their faith rather than works as expressions of faith as a testimony of an intimate relationship with God in Christ. Leaders must give sound teaching and set a good example in being free from religious, demonic heresy.

1 Timothy 4:1-5 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Paul’s instructions to Timothy reveal that leaders are not to just warn those they lead concerning things that lead to demonic deception. Leaders must set an example of the proper use of all things. Their example is one of receiving all things from God with thanksgiving as long as its use or function is true to God’s word and a testimony of a relationship with God. The written word of God is the grounds for legitimacy of all things and an intimate conversation with God is what confirms that word to be true and interpreted correctly. The word of God and prayer are the ingredients for proper use of all things. For something to be a true word from God it must be true to the principles, patterns, and values of Scripture as well as true to the Spirit – the character of God. Some things are meant to be left alone, not because of some religious law but because their use does not fulfill a life-giving purpose.

1 Timothy 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

Again, leaders have a role of assisting those they lead in the practical areas of life. Good doctrine is simply a good way of life. It is not about what we believe, but how we live our lives. Jesus came to give us life and believers must seek to live in the liberty of the Spirit with a testimony of the life and peace that is found in Christ.

1 Timothy 4:7-11 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach.

Leadership must instruct believers in regard to living a godly lifestyle. They are to reject useless things that do not pertain to true godliness. Leaders must teach believers, by word and example, to trust God, labor, and endure in all things. As Paul instructed Timothy, leaders are to both command and teach these things.

Timothy was not to let anyone despise him because of his youth. He was not to allow anyone to accuse him of being unqualified or inexperienced. Leaders must accept their God-given responsibility to lead, and they must be confident in who God has declared them to be. They cannot allow people to intimidate them in their God-ordained responsibility as a leader.

1 Timothy 4:12-13 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 

Timothy was to be an example in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. Timothy was to give his attention to speaking the word of God, exhorting the believers, and to both live and charge others to live godly lives. Leaders set an example in continually growing and becoming what God is making them all become for His glory. This is not merely memorizing what the word says so we can tell others what to do. This is becoming what the word says we are to be. Leaders must be an example to those they lead so they can follow with God’s transforming grace at work in their own lives. Leadership responsibility is about helping people in their everyday lives become examples of Christ and His family in all things.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of: www.ted4leaders.com www.ted4you.com or www.houseofbreadministry.org. Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to: House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225 To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year. Our Ministry Information Is: House of Bread Ministry 3210 Meridian St. Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

I am continuing to write in regard to Paul’s instructions to Timothy. These were the instructions of a spiritual father to His spiritual son. It was a letter of apostolic authority to the authority of a local church in regard to the responsibilities of leadership in the community of God. I have presented that an overseeing leader in the community of God was, and is, to be an example of the character of the family of God.

In the family of God there are leaders who are apt to teach, they are apt to set direction for the community of God in the direction that God is leading them and in the character that God is creating in their midst. There are other kinds of leaders in the church as well. Some leaders are not apt to teach, but they are graced and gifted to facilitate the things implemented by the overseeing leaders. They have a grace to keep in motion what has been put in motion by the overseeing leaders of the community. These types of leaders are referred to in the Scripture as deacons. The word deacon is a transliterated word from the Greek language that simply means to serve. God has put a grace upon some leaders to activate the spirit of serving in the community of God. They are elders by character, but deacons by gifting. They don’t merely do the practical things of ministry; they lead to see to it that members of the community do all of the practical things in the family of God. This includes practical duties like laying hands on the sick, ministering deliverance to those who are bound, feeding the poor, teaching children, or tending to any of the practical everyday needs of community life.

Paul gave instructions to Timothy that he was to expect the same character requirements for those who would be appointed into the responsibility of deacons as facilitating leaders as was also expected of the overseeing leaders. The character requirements for elders, both bishops and deacons, are not given as a measuring tool to see who fails the test. They were instructions given by Paul to a church leader concerning the criteria to look for in seeking to recognize those God was appointing to those areas of responsibility. The overseeing elders and deacons were to be examples of faith and exhibit a godly lifestyle in their own households so they could serve in the same type of responsibility in the household of God – the church. The leaders were to conduct themselves as examples to those they lead.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.  But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.  Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Again, failure in the past is not the measurement of those in these areas of responsibility. It is a testimony in the present that qualifies those who lead to be examples to others in the practical realities of life. The objective was not to seek out people who could obey the rules of character, but to look for those who had discovered the life-changing power of God’s grace in their lives. All people have faced challenges of failure in their lives and the community of God needs examples of people who know how to pass the tests of adversity in order to prevail with the testimonies of God’s grace in an everyday world. The community of God is one of grace and not law. It is one of victory; therefore it is also one of challenges, tests, failures, mercy, triumph, and glory. Leaders must be an example to the community of God in the everyday realities of family and life. The body of Christ is a community of heaven, not merely a ministry of works!

Paul was writing to Timothy in regard to a leader’s responsibility in the church. Those responsibilities were a matter of relationship, not gift and function. Paul demonstrated that in his own letter to his spiritual son, Timothy.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

Paul’s charge to Timothy as a leader included an example of the way of Jesus in the flesh. Just as Jesus was manifest in the flesh, Christ must be manifest in the life of each leader to lead all to discover the testimony of Christ in them. Just as Jesus was empowered by the Spirit, witnessed by heavenly powers, revealed as truth to those who had not known truth, believed by those who had not known God’s glory, and received to God’s glory; A leader must live in the justice of the Spirit, know the power of the Spirit, reveal God to others by the testimony of the Spirit, experience the fruit of the work of the Spirit in the lives of others around them, and live for the full hope of the glory of the Spirit.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.

Leadership is a matter of being an example of the life and power of God’s Spirit in and to the community of God. It is not about seminary degrees, skills of ministry, preaching abilities, or detailed strategies of vision. It is about a testimony of something of heaven upon the earth. Leaders lead the community of God for the testimony of communion with God and one another as His family upon the earth. This includes an authority, anointing, and a transformed character by the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through their lives.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he addressed some qualifications for leaders. Leaders are examples to those they lead, and leading God’s people is a grace given by God for the sake of the maturation and growth of the body of Christ.

1 Timothy 3:3-5 …not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)…

Paul’s words to Timothy were not intended to be a legalistic law concerning things you can do and things you cannot do. They were instructions concerning good character that others can emulate and follow. A leader must not be given to wine. Practically speaking, being in bondage to alcohol is to be enslaved to a lord of the flesh. Paul also instructed Timothy that a glass of wine is good for the stomach.

1 Timothy 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

In Scripture, wine is used to symbolize life. There is a life of the Spirit, but there is also the life of the flesh. I believe that in 1 Tim. 3:3, Paul was referring to not being in bondage to things that merely inspire the desires of the flesh. I believe that this is a testimony concerning human desires or personal indulgences. Leaders don’t seek their own pleasures but live to help others be free from things that produce bondages in people’s lives. Surely a leader must not be a drunkard, but it includes the principle, pattern, and value of living for others and not their own personal indulgences.

A leader must not be violent, but demonstrate a spirit and actions of kindness, peace, and love. They are not greedy for money – simply stated they must not lead for personal gain at the expense of others. They must be gentle, demonstrating a willingness to care for others above themselves. Leaders avoid quarrels and do not demonstrate an aggressive attitude towards others. They must be content with what God has given to them, and they must not be covetous of what belongs to someone else. They lead their own personal lives well, because they are required to seek God’s direction and grace to lead His house. They set an example of tending to the business of family so that others can follow their example, also tending to the business of their own families. Surely children are responsible to make their own decisions in life and the children of a leader may decide not to walk in their ways. This does not disqualify a leader. If a leader is doing their best to lead in the path of life and they demonstrate the character of Christ in that process they are not to be held accountable if their children choose a path of failure. God is a good Father and sets an example for His children to follow yet many choose not to walk in the path of His way. This does not disqualify God from being Father. The scrutiny is not upon what the children do, but upon how a leader leads. People are imperfect living in imperfect situations with imperfect realities. No one is measured by the choices that others make, but they are measured by their own personal example, attitude, and actions in regard to their willingness to live for the sake of their families. Knowing how to rule in your household is a testimony of character, not one of legalistic law. A leader must know how to walk through difficult and challenging things so they can lead to help others walk through all that they must walk through in life.

1 Timothy 3:6 …not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

A leader is not a novice in the matters of family, relationships, and walking through the challenges of relationship in life. Most of life is about relationships, not works of ministry. The pressures of life and having to walk through the difficult matters of human connections are a prerequisite to qualifying a leader to lead. They must not be prideful and fall into the deception of the devil who thought his gifting and independence was more important than his relationship with God and his responsibilities before God.

A leader must also have a good testimony to people who do not know God. How do they present themselves in the world they live in? They set an example that others desire to follow, and they are not insecure in their pursuit of life. They don’t live for the desires of the world, but for the will of God in every aspect of their daily lives.

1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

Today I will continue to address the topic of leadership responsibility in the church. I am writing concerning Paul’s letters to Timothy in regard to his responsibility as a leader. This letter to Timothy included Timothy’s role in responsibility as well as those leaders affiliated with Timothy in the work of ministry. These letters establish a principle, pattern, and value for us as leaders in the church today. Timothy was to set order for honor and submission in the church. He was to understand his responsibilities as an overseeing elder and require the same of others appointed to the same call of apt to teach, or administrative, leadership.

1 Timothy 3:1-2 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach…

The term ‘bishop’ is a term for someone who has been given the responsibility of being an overseeing leader for the sake of the church. It is not a position of hierarchy. It is a position of serving the body of Christ and it is a great honor and a good work. An overseeing leader must understand that the role of leadership is one of responsibility and not a position of greater value. The role of an overseer is not one merely based upon charismatic gifting, administrative skill, qualification of education, or mere experience in ministry. It is one of character. A leader’s personal life is directly connected to their ability to lead. They must seek to be blameless. This doesn’t mean that they are perfect, but it does mean that they seek to do their best in all things. When faced with things that need to change in their own lives they willingly embrace the process of change. They know their righteousness is in Christ and they depend upon the power of Christ in them to empower them to not only grow in their ability of gifting but also their testimony of character. They are the husbands of one wife. This is not meant to be a law concerning marriage and divorce, nor do I believe that it is only inclusive to men in ministry, it is a present quality of character in leadership. Whether it is a man or a woman in a position of leadership; the principle, pattern, and value to be gained from these verses is one of covenant. It is not meant to be a legal requirement for leadership. We have all had failures in our past in some way; the question is where are we in the present? A leader must know that their ability to keep covenant in their own family relationships is directly connected to their ability to lead others in the church to know how to stay at the table of covenant. When faced with challenges in their personal lives they willingly seek the empowerment of God’s grace to give them a testimony of a growing, maturing, life-giving covenant. This takes both a man and a woman working together for the greater testimony of the two as one. This gives a leader the grace to empower others in the matters of relationship in life.

A leader is to be temperate – a term for being vigilant, circumspect, and self-controlled. A leader knows how to be heedful of their circumstances with a view towards the potential outcome of any situation in their lives. They are dependent upon Christ in them to give them the needed testimony for the sake of others. They must be sober-minded – to be modest, chaste, and discrete in their way of life. They must demonstrate good behavior to others. They must be hospitable, demonstrating that they willingly live for the wellbeing of others. An overseeing leader (bishop) must be able to teach. I don’t believe that this is merely teaching Scripture. Anyone should be able to teach Scripture in some way. A leader must be able to hear the direction of God for the church and set the direction that others can follow. They are like a dad or a mom in the family that is capable of teaching the children the way in which they must live. They know the family values of Christ and they lead others to embrace the attributes of the family of God, the desires of the family of God, the vision of the family of God, and the destiny of the family.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

The apostle Paul’s words to his spiritual son Timothy were not meant to be instructions of law or rules for the church. They were written to encourage Timothy to be strong in his responsibility as a shepherd of God’s flock. Some of Paul’s words to Timothy can be confusing to us when we don’t look at the principle for which they were written. 

1 Timothy 2:11-15 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

In these verses, the context of a woman learning in silence and submission is a wife to her husband. Paul’s instructions were about proper relationship, not rules for men and women. The word for woman here is the Greek word γυνή gynē (GSRN 1135); probably from the base of GSRN 1096; a woman; specially, a wife. In these verses the context is that of a husband and wife, since the reference is to Adam and Eve – a one flesh union of a man and a woman (Gen. 2:23-25). Paul was not addressing women being in submission to men. He is addressing a wife being subject to her own husband. The text is implying the relationship of a wife and her husband where the man is the head, and the wife is the testimony of the body in their one flesh testimony in Christ. The inference is simply a way of relationship and life, not a structure for ministry. Leaders must deal with real life situations and real-life relationships in an everyday world.

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

I believe that Paul’s words in his letter to Timothy are not intended to be a law against women teaching, but a guideline for proper relationships and submission in the church. Wives are in submission to their husbands and are not contentious, striving to be separate from relationship. A woman learning in silence with all submission is not a woman without a voice. It is a woman learning with an attitude of relationship with her husband. It is an attitude of the heart, not a rule of law for church organization. At the time Paul wrote this, there was a huge need for wives to learn, since men had not sought to bring them alongside of them in the things of God in times past. There was a need for both men and women to grow in the faith.

These verses were not intended to restrain the voice of women in the body of Christ. There are examples of women teaching in the early church, such as Persilla, who with her husband Aquila were somehow fellow workers with Paul in the gospel (Rom. 16:3). Phoebe was an influential woman in the church and commended by Paul in the work that she did in the church of Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1, 2). Adronicus and Junias, were relatives of Paul who had been imprisoned for testifying of Christ (Rom. 16:7). These were known among the apostles for their testimony. Junia was likely a woman with a notable testimony for Christ. Paul wrote that Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis were “women who work hard in the Lord” (Rom. 16:12). Julia, the sister of Nereus, and the mother of Rufus was a woman involved in the church (Rom 16:13, 15). Several women were mentioned by Paul that clearly imply that women had a prominent role in church life.

The testimony in this text is one of being a married couple. It is one of being a family unit. It is a testimony of being one flesh. This is not a woman to all men; it is a woman to one man. It is the testimony of a wife and her husband as Adam and Eve were husband and wife as a testimony of one flesh before God. The statement of being saved in childbearing is not a salvation unto heaven, but a testimony of a healthy family before God that lives in the grace of salvation in a testimony of faith, love, and holiness with self-control. Again, it is a healthy lifestyle and not a means or method of ministry. It is a testimony of a life empowered by grace, not rules subjected by leaders for law and order in the church. It is a characteristic of believers that comprise the church, not requirements of members in an institution. The church is a body, not an organization, and leadership serves a role of responsibility in helping the members of the body of Christ live their lives with a good testimony as the body of Christ.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

The responsibility of leadership is a very practical one. It involves dealing with people in an everyday world in the practical realities of everyday life. Timothy’s responsibilities were not merely about activities within a church structure, but the testimony of the church in the communities of the world. The church is not a place we go, it is a culture we are part of that brings the influence of heaven into our everyday world. Timothy was to pray and teach those in his charge to pray for kings and all in authority. He was to teach them to live peaceable lives with godliness and reverence. These are not mere activities of the church but are targeted to the very character of the members of the church in their everyday lives in the communities of the world.

1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Paul’s own example was one of being a teacher of faith and truth. A teacher of faith is someone who demonstrates faith before others. Faith comes by hearing God, and it is demonstrated with actions of love that demonstrate a faith towards God. Truth is a testimony of the transformed reality of Christ within our lives. Paul was to be an example of truth so that others could also become truth in Christ. These same instructions were given from Paul to Timothy, and they are still true within the sphere of responsibility of leadership in the church today. Leaders are to be an example as teachers of faith and truth before the people so that everyone can be obedient to the words that God speaks to their hearts and be a true testimony to the life of Christ that is transforming them from within. It is not about church structure; it is about a way of life that demonstrates the lordship of Jesus in all things.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

The family of God is the community of God. They are a testimony of a culture of honor and love in the world. They are not seekers of self, fearful in their focus, or vain in their personal desires. They live as examples of the likeness and the image of God in their testimony as men and women before Him.

1 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

Paul’s words to Timothy were not about rules or some order of some enforcement of law for believers in Christ. He was addressing an attitude and focus for believers to have in their everyday world. They were to live in the knowledge of an intimate relationship with God. Paul was not giving a dress code for believers. He was simply advocating for them to live their everyday lives as secure sons and daughters of God who didn’t need to get their identity in the same way that people in the world do. These instructions were not about what to wear or not wear, but the importance of living lives as children of God, not children of the world that pride themselves in fleshly appearances and the fulfillment of carnal desires.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

Leaders don’t lead merely for change in those they lead. They lead from the change that is happening within them for the sake of others in their world. Imperfect people are made perfect by the life of Christ working within them to change their imperfections to a life-giving testimony of God’s love and grace. Paul’s first letter to his spiritual son Timothy testified of this in his own life.

1 Timothy 112 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

The community of God is a place of reconciliation, forgiveness, redemption, and restoration. The mercy of God ends the past and the grace of God empowers each one to experience a life-transforming change in their lives. Leaders must set an example in these things and lead to create, guard, and protect a culture that gives glory to the King of kings – Jesus Christ the Lord of glory!

Paul reminded Timothy that his role of leadership was a gift given to him by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Timothy was to wage a good warfare concerning the prophecies that had been made concerning himself and he was to walk in the faith before those he was responsible for.

1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Timothy was to not become shipwrecked in his faith like Hemenaeus and Alexander, whom Paul had delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. This reveals the weight of the responsibility of leadership and the willingness to take harsh measures, if necessary, in the protection of the souls of those within their sphere of authority. If you study the action of turning someone over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh you will discover that the purpose was one of love and redemption. It was not an action taken lightly nor was it an act of anger in retaliation to harm caused by someone. It was a strategic and deliberate action intended to lead someone to the place of repentance unto life in Christ. It was not an act of the flesh, but one led by the Holy Spirit as was the case in Paul’s first letter to the church of Corinth and his second letter confirming the restoration of such a man. Paul simply references two individuals who had gone down such a path to encourage Timothy to set an example that encourages others to remain faithful in the faith. Timothy was to set an example in faith and give a clear testimony to those in the family of God so they would not be influenced by others who had gone astray from their commitment in Christ.

Leaders are examples in revealing the mercy, grace, and power of God’s love to those they lead.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Auio:

Greetings,

The culture of the community of God must be one that promotes godly edification and faith. Leaders are responsible to command, if necessary, in maintaining the culture of life for the community of God. That command is not a command of control or judgment. It is a command motivated by love and given in a spirit of love to establish safe boundaries for life to flourish in the community of Christ.

Timothy was to charge those who sought to bring disputes into the church to cease their pursuit of dispute. His motive in his commands was one of love and a pure heart. He was to set an example of a good conscience and faith. In the church of the first century some had strayed from true faith in the pursuit of worthless talk and meaningless legalism. These things reveal a principle, pattern, and value that must be embraced by leaders in the church of God today. Members of the community of God must understand that God-given leaders are like shepherds in a flock of sheep, responsible to maintain a safe environment of life for the flock of God.

1 Timothy 1:5-7 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

Timothy was to present that the law is for sinners and the ungodly, not the standard for judgment of one another. He was to teach grace and forgiveness and present himself, like Paul, as an example of God’s goodness and forgiveness to mankind.

As a pastor, I was aware of my role as a son of God before being a leader. To be a good leader one must first be a good son. There were many occasions where I had to embrace the character of Christ in my own life before I could pursue instructing others to embrace that character into their lives. Being a pastoral leader is not a matter of following the rules of discipline. It is embracing the character of Christ and the attributes of God’s love in order to be an example, an inspiration, and even a source of impartation to those in their realm of influence in order to assist the growth of Christ-like maturity in the community of God. This means that every leader must embrace the work of Christ within their own lives before seeking to give instructions to others. It is a matter of attitude, and it is an issue of the heart. It is not merely a discipline of the flesh, but an attribute of life that comes from within.

Leaders cannot shy away from the responsibility of bringing discipline at times. It is part of love. It is a parental responsibility in the family of God. A leader must also know that whatever is in the heart of the one who gives discipline will be imparted into the hearts of those being disciplined. If love is in the heart of the leader, love will be imparted in their discipline. If a legalistic judgment or merely a desire to be right is in the heart of the leader, the fruit imparted will be some measure of death. God’s Spirit is love and only love can give life. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit gives life.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

A leader doesn’t seek to impose law upon those they lead. They seek to inspire faith that enables those who hear to experience the presence of Christ within them that brings about true change to their hearts and minds from within. It is not a matter of imposing right information upon those they lead. It is a matter of inspiring them to seek a relationship with God in their hearts that brings about true change. Those in the world are merely subject to law that they might seek life that is found by grace in Christ. Any discipline given by a leader to those they lead should be led by Holy Spirit so that those who hear will receive the voice of Holy Spirit within them that brings about true change. Discipline is not a matter of rules, methods, or ridged written statements. Discipline is an act of love from the heart of our heavenly Father.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

When we read the books of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, we are reading a unique section of Scripture. These letters are written from a spiritual father to His spiritual sons concerning their responsibilities as leaders in the church of God. These letters were not written to the church, but to the leaders of the church. They are profitable for us all to read, but when we read them we must understand that they were instructions concerning practical and relational responsibilities of specific leaders, in specific churches, dealing with specific situations. The issues of their day set principles, patterns, and values for the issues of our own day. These letters were not written so we can examine leaders to see whether they are fulfilling their responsibilities or not. They were written so we will each understand the kind of responsibilities carried by leaders, the kind of culture they are required to develop and maintain, and the kind of instructions given to leaders as to their position in the church in their responsibility of authority. These things should be understood by church leaders as well as by members of the church community. They were not intended to be a means of applying legalism or law concerning word-by-word rules in the church. They are guidelines for roles of authority in the church. I believe that authority is an attribute of giving. It is not one of control. Authority is a measure of a substance of life given to someone for the sake of those they influence. Authority gives life and leadership has a responsibility of maintaining a kingdom culture of life in the church.

In the first letter to Timothy, Paul instructed that Timothy was to teach people to live godly lifestyles. He was to charge those in his care to not be caught up in pointless things that merely prove to be fables, endless genealogies, or other things that simply cause disputes. As a shepherd to the flock of God, Timothy was to guard the culture of the community. It was to be a culture of life and peace. This principle, pattern, and value applies to church leaders in our day as well.

Members of a congregation will sometimes pursue things that don’t really matter in becoming a testimony of a Christ centered and Christ filled community. They are simply things of personal preference, personal opinion, or some personal revelation that promotes a personal idea in some way. The shepherds in the flock of God must guard against things that merely cause disputes in the community of faith. They must exercise their authority in charging those who promote things that cause disputes to cease their pursuit of such things in the context of the community of God. Leaders are responsible to guard the community of God in order to maintain a safe, life-giving culture of love. It is a parental responsibility given by God to some for the sake of the whole community.

1 Timothy 1:3-4 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 

I was the senior pastor of a church for twenty years. I had to exercise my authority as a shepherd of the flock on many occasions to silence some from introducing a voice of confusion to those I was responsible to lead. Some wanted me to publically state what products to buy or not to buy. Some wanted me to publically state what movies to watch, what movies not to watch, or whether to even watch movies or not. Some wanted me to introduce some sort of dress code. At times some wanted me to enforce Jewish dances or Jewish customs in the church. I even had some who tried to introduce the need for people to change their names by receiving new names from God. Some proposed that it was important to understand some theory concerning a pre-Adamic race. Others wanted to make debates in regard to an actual seven-day creation or a process of creation. Some sought to introduce legalism concerning men in ministry verses women. I faced those things as a senior pastor and I have faced those things as a leader who now influences leaders in various congregations around the world. A dispute over things that do not contribute to the testimony of intimacy with God and a covenant relationship of love has no place in the community of God. Leaders must accept the responsibility of guarding the garden of God’s community from things that do not contribute to the life of that community. A leader must not fall for distractions over things that simply cause disputes. A leader envisions those they lead to keep their focus on Jesus and make fellowship with Holy Spirit and one another the bond of community.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of:

www.ted4leaders.com

www.ted4you.com or

www.houseofbreadministry.org.

Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to:

House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225

To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year.

Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728

Blog In Audio:

Greetings,

Leaders are given a responsibility to lead others into a way of life that is inspired by a personal relationship with God. Leaders lead others to live their lives as a dwelling place of God by His Spirit. God’s presence in our lives transforms us to become like our heavenly Father in our character, nature, way, power, and authority. God’s presence in each one, and in many together, will empower each one and everyone to be givers of life to their world. This is the testimony of the likeness and image of our Father in heaven. Leaders have this responsibility; therefore, they have an authority to walk in this purpose. Their gifting will serve this authority. Their anointing will serve their gifting to enable them to walk in the full authority of this responsibility before God.

A leader’s anointing is not the same as their authority, nor is their gifting the measure of their authority. Their authority is measured by their God-given assignment. That assignment is measured by God and not by a comparison to any assignment given to another. This is not necessarily measured in numbers of people or physical riches of ministry. The world measures importance and value by size and number. They measure authority by human desire for success. God measures authority by significance and living to the full measure of bringing eternal things into the lives of those to whom they are sent.

1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Some things that we create, are not meant to last. They simply serve the greater eternal purposes of God. They support the work of God for a season, but they themselves are not the true work of the Spirit. We cannot measure our success by the things of wood, hay, or straw. The true measurement of our leadership is seen in the personal connections with God found by those we lead. Our leadership is not meant to be bound to those in our immediate care, but it is even seen in the testimonies of God found in the lives of those who have moved beyond our immediate ministries. We will not know the full record until things are summed up in Christ for the glory of our heavenly Father. We must live to see a personal connection with God in the hearts and minds of those we lead. This is the connection to the foundation of Jesus Christ. God’s field, God’s building, is not limited to our ministries. It is bigger than any form of ministry or structure we create. It is meant to fill the earth with a harvest for the glory of God in all things. As leaders we live to lead others in being part of something bigger than any form of wood, hay, or straw that we can create. We lead to assist God’s sons and daughters in making personal connections to God that exhibit eternal inheritances for the glory of God.

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

Donations can be made at the link on the home site of: www.ted4leaders.com www.ted4you.com or www.houseofbreadministry.org. Checks can be made payable to House of Bread Ministry and sent to: House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA 98225 To avoid us paying a transaction fee from your donation, you can also set up a payment or an automatic payment from your bank to House of Bread Ministry. Just set it up as a ‘bill pay’ through your online bank account and your bank will mail a check to House of Bread Ministry. We will record your payment as a donation to House of Bread Ministry (E.I.N. 91-2009037) and we will send you a contribution receipt at the close of the year. Our Ministry Information Is: House of Bread Ministry 3210 Meridian St. Bellingham, WA 98225-1728