The Character of a Leader - Integrity

 

This is Chuck Rapp with a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Today, I’d like to begin a series of messages regarding the character of a leader. Or, we might say, the

qualities exemplified in the life of a good and godly leader.

The foundation for godly character is our love for God and our obedience to Him. The gospel of John is very clear about this. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands.” (14:15). Acts 5:32 says that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him.

Upon this foundation of obedience to God, I would suggest that the cornerstone, the chief building block of character, is Integrity. Here is one dictionary definition of Integrity. “The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.” I find it both very interesting and significant that this non-biblical dictionary definition places emphasis upon moral principles and moral uprightness.

What are some of the key areas where Christian leaders need to demonstrate integrity? I would like to suggest the following three areas, but there are actually many more.

Leaders must demonstrate integrity in their handling of finances. Money is often accompanied by temptation. There are temptations to misuse ministry funds for personal need. Temptation to distribute ministry funds in ways that bring the expectation of personal favor in return. In America, we call that “with strings attached”. 1 Timothy 6:10 warns us that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Leaders must also demonstrate integrity in family matters, especially in the area of marital fidelity or faithfulness. Hebrews 13:4 very clearly states this. “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Paul, writing in 1 Timothy 3:2-5 said “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober- minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, …. for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church.” [emphasis added]

Leaders must demonstrate integrity in their speech. As Christian leaders, we must have integrity - we must have alignment or consistency - between what we say and what we do. In the Amplified version of the Bible, Ephesians 4:25 tells us “Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor…”

I encourage – and pray for you as Christian leaders - live lives of integrity, especially in these three areas.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.