It’s easy to overlook what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 3, figuring that it doesn’t apply to us. But a careful look through the New Testament shows that every spiritual requirement made of a church leader in that passage is duplicated elsewhere in Scripture for all believers.

Each of us is to display those same spiritual qualities at home, on the job, and in all of our relationships—with Christians and non-Christians alike. John sums up church leadership this way: “There isn’t a leadership level made up of elders and pastors, a service level made up of deacons, and a spectator level made up of all other believers. There is no audience in the church—we are all in the ministry.”

You’ll want to make this study a priority for your personal ministry.