Is Spiritual Leadership An Honorable Ambition?

There are several reasons for which most today would think that seeking spiritual leadership is not an honorable ambition. Firstly, the mindset of many today see the pulpit, and chairs of spiritual leadership as being accompanied with lavish perks, prestige, praise and the admiration of the masses. They see the results in the business world where leadership is often driven by these self-serving incentives. Many would thus conclude that for someone aspiring to be a spiritual leader they would, in fact, reveal a somewhat covetous heart.

Secondly, many believe that one should always be asked to fill a position, or, in the very least, the vacancy should fill itself. People should be available, but should never seek out opportunities. There are many casualties in our modern day church where individuals sought places of leadership, who, in years subsequent to their exaltation, showed their true colors. It is no wonder that many swerve away from those who are seeking out responsibility.

Lastly, many view the word “ambition” as a somewhat dirty word in the realm of spiritual things. It is okay, on the one hand, to have ambition to make it financially to support your family, but it is taboo if one should have ambition to serve in a leadership role in church. This misconception is common and has some merit; however, we must understand that ambition which is camping around the glory of God is a “mighty force for good”. It is understandable that ambition which hovers around self, and pride is not good, but is, in fact, evil!

In summary, one must clearly see that ambition which is centered on God’s glory is certainly acceptable, while ambition for spiritual leadership which is from a selfish and self-promoting heart is sin. The Apostle Paul’s statement in I Timothy 3:1 is not advocating someone seek a place of leadership from a sinful motivation. Rather, Paul is encouraging qualified men to take the reigns of leadership. It is hard for us to comprehend this in our day because we do not understand what the bishop faced when he did assume the leadership role in the local assembly. His only reward was a plethora of persecutions, ranging from verbal attacks to martyrdom. Thus we can conclude that if a man did desire to lead under those harsh circumstances, it would be very unlikely that he would do so from a self serving heart. Therefore, desiring to be a bishop is “an honorable ambition”.