Likely, any Christian who has served the Lord for a period of time has witnessed a congregation having men serving publicly
who just simply had no clue of what they were doing.  You’ve seen men who have led prayers that were, at best,
questionable.  You’ve seen men who have led the congregation in singing who did not know the song or how to lead it.  You’
ve seen song leaders who fumble through the song book to find a song because that man did not prepare to lead the
congregation in song the way he should have.  You’ve likely heard a man teach a class or preach a lesson when he had no idea
what to say, could not find the Scriptures to prove what he was saying, or simply looked unprepared to teach.  You’ve
probably seen someone leading a class or serving in a worship service to the Lord who is very unfaithful.  You’ve seen
someone serve the Lord’s Supper when they have no idea what it represents.  Why do we see such things?  Are these choices
done with authority from the Lord (Colossians 3:17)?

   A lot of congregations, elderships, etc. feel it is best to allow men to lead to learn how to lead.  Some feel a man can learn to
teach best if he is just thrown out there to teach.  Some brethren have concluded that all of the men should be involved in
serving publicly.  Some think the best way to get the unfaithful to services is to have them on a schedule to serve.  They feel that
the unfaithful will think he is important this way.  These ways of thinking are not from the Lord, it is what man has determined to
be most expedient.  The Scriptures say: “…Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch” (Luke 6:
39)?

   Imagine for a moment that this country started training General’s to lead an army by making them leaders when they have
never even seen a firearm.  Imagine a school allowing high school dropouts to turn and teach in that same school two weeks
after they stopped attending with the idea of “maybe they’ll learn if they teach.”  Imagine going to a dentist and a fifteen year old
who wants to be a dentist some day is going to be drilling your tooth.  Come on folks.  We know better than this kind of
foolishness.


   
   Jesus taught a parable (known as the Parable of the Talents) in which we can find some insight.  Jesus began this parable
saying: “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and
delivered unto them his goods.  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man
according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey” (Matthew 25:14-15).  You will notice some things in
this parable.  The first, the parable is taught in a likeness to the kingdom.  The second that applies to our lesson here, the men
delegated responsibilities were handed what they were able to carry out.  This should be our first principle in choosing men to
lead in a congregation.  They have to be able.  Song leaders, prayer leaders, servants of the Lord’s Supper, etc. are all
leaders.  They have to be capable of such a task.  Our worship services to God are to be done decently and in order (I
Corinthians 14:40).  We must assure that those leading are up to the task of keeping our worship service to the Lord in such a
manner.

   We all have to understand what we are saying when praying or singing.  One leading must also be able to know what they
are saying in song or prayer.  In fact, the congregation needs to be able to understand them to be in agreement.  When Paul
wrote the church of Christ in Corinth he dealt with their problems in their worship services.  For one, they were praying and
singing in unknown tongues so that all present could not understand what was being said.  Thus, carry that principle to our
services today.  One who is leading must be able to speak and lead in a way that others can understand.  Paul said: “What is it
then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing
with the understanding also.  Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the
unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest” (I Corinthians 14:15-16)?  
An ignorant leader will cause all to stumble and fall.  Consider that we teach when we sing (Colossians 3:16).  Should that not
mean therefore that the one leading in song must understand and conclude that which we are about to teach is truth?  Since
such is so, doesn’t that mean our song leaders need to be capable of discerning truth from error?  This is something that babes
in Christ cannot do and unfortunately, neither can some who by age are mature, but by understanding are babes (Hebrews 5:
12-14).  Truly, many should not be teachers because there is a high level of accountability (James 3:1; cf. Acts 20:26-27 and II
Peter 3:17).

   Any leader in a congregation has to first be a faithful follower of our Lord (I Corinthians 11:1).  A leader has to assure that
his own ways are right before trying to direct the paths of others (Romans 2:17-23, I Corinthians 9:27, and I Timothy 4:16).  
Imagine a man teaching a class on having the Lord first in our lives (Luke 14:26-33), but he does not practice what he is
teaching.  That is hypocrisy.  How about a man leading in prayer who’s life is full of sin.  God is not hearing his prayer
(Proverbs 28:9 and I Peter 3:12).  Do you expect that he is capable of going to the Lord as the leader for all in attendance
when his prayer is an abomination to God?  How about one who is leading during the time the Lord’s Supper is served whose
life is all but on the right side up?  Do you think it is appropriate to allow a man to serve emblems of the Lord’s body and blood
when that individual is trampling our Lord under foot and crucifying our Lord afresh through his disobedience (Hebrews 6:4-6;
10:26-30)?  We are not to follow that which evil (III John 9-11), so who is leading us?



   There are certainly other points to consider under this subject matter.  For one, we have not addressed why I referred to
those leading repetitively as men.  Such should be clear to honest students of the Bible.  Women are not to take lead over men
(I Corinthians 11:3 and I Timothy 2:12).  Another point, we have not addressed attitudes behind those in leading our worship
services.  Our worship to God is not only to be done in truth, but in spirit also (John 4:23-24).  If the attitude of one leading is
sore, then our worship as a collective is not going to be as God desires.  One thing that is sure, we must conclude that those
leading us in our worship to God need to be held to a high standard.  Those of us leading, we better make sure we’re doing it
right!
Volume VII   ~   Issue XXXII   ~   May 6th, 2007
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17),
repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of
sins into the church of Christ (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:1-6).  One must then remain
faithful (Rev. 2:10).
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
Making the Right Choices of Men Serving Publicly
By: Brian A. Yeager
The Bible Shows us How to Choose Good Leaders
Conclusion