Checklist for a mature disciple of Christ, especially one in leadership

 The following checklist is offered as a summary of the Biblical requirements for eldership, as I understand it. It is not meant to be a legalistic document, but one against which we can examine ourselves and see where there is room for improvement. It is offerered for your consideration and comment.

All these things are but an unpacking of what it means to love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and with all your strength, and loving your neighbour as yourself.

Checklist for a mature disciple of Christ

especially one in leadership

General..

• Servant of Christ.
• What He says goes, without question.
• Slave of Christ.
• No personal rights.
• No personal opinion.
• Personal encounter with Jesus.
• Crucified with Christ.
• Born again by the Spirit.
• Personal encounter with Holy Spirit.
• Aware of, and operating in, the gifts of the Spirit.
• Fruit of the Spirit demonstrated.
• Awareness of being a son of Father.
• Rights and responsibilities.
• Honouring earthly parents, or their memory.
•  Fulfilling the mission of Jesus.
• Family  (Jerusalem).
• Community (Judea).
• Wider afield (ends of the earth).
• Committed to lifelong learning (discipleship).
• Biblical literacy.
• Whole Bible.
• Awareness of major themes.
• Not proof texting.
• In context: within the Canon,  historical, cultural.
• Regularity of Bible reading and study.
• Devotional reading.
• Systematic reading.
• Reading for deeper understanding.
• Able to teach the whole bible, not just to “cherry pick” our favourite passages or topics.
• Become like Jesus in THIS life.
• Strongholds have been dealt with, to the extent that they are known.
• Teachable & Accountable
• Open to correction by
• the Bible,
• family,
• elders of the Church,
• others.
• Active Prayer life.
• Attitude of thanksgiving.
• Fulfilling the requirements of 1Tim 3 

"Now the overseer is to be

• above reproach,
• faithful to his wife,
• temperate,
• self-controlled,
• respectable,
• hospitable,
• able to teach,
• not given to drunkenness,
• not violent but gentle,
• not quarrelsome,
• not a lover of money.
• He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)
• He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
• He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

 In the same way, deacons are to be 

• worthy of respect,
• sincere,
• not indulging in much wine,
• and not pursuing dishonest gain.
• They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
• They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

 In the same way, the women are to be

• worthy of respect,
• not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well."

(1Ti 3:2-12 NIV)

 Specific.

• Love not life even unto death.
• Evidence of overcoming obstacles.
• Understanding of your call to ministry.
• Evidence of discipling others.
• Transparency of life.
• Unconditional obedience to Jesus & the Gospel.
• Clear testimony.
• Able to give an account of “the hope that is in you” at any time or place.
• Purity of life.
• Words.
• Actions.
• Motives.
• Unconditional love of God and His people.
• And our “enemies”.
• Commitment to the Body of Christ.
• Serving the brethren.
• Assembling together.
• Not damaging the “weaker brother “.
• Willing to serve in even menial tasks, especially if you are a leader.
• The greater the leadership position, the more you are to serve.
• Financial matters.
• None of our money, or resources,  is ours, it is given to us on trust.
• All our giving is to be joyful and generally in secret.
• Tithing is  the “base line”.
• Refusing to tithe is theft.
• We tithe to Jesus, ie where He shows us, but generally where we get our “food”.
• The tithe can be used for a joyful festival where those of lesser means are invited without charge.
•  Generosity is the standard in all giving.
• We have a responsibility to support those in the faith when they have a special need.
• Laziness is not to be tolerated or supported. We are not to support those who can work, but refuse to. 
• Reliance on God for our supply. 
•  Need to examine the need for insurances, saving plans, investments, etc. Do these activities reflect our dependence on Jesus? 
•  Charging of interest not allowed. 
•  Give without expecting to be paid back. 
•  Absolute integrity in all matters.