Workers for Your Joy

The Call of Christ on Christian Leaders

David Mathis

• Publisher: Crossway
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781433578076
• eBook ISBN: 9781433578106
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Church

David Mathis Examines the Qualifications and Calling of Church Leaders for a New Generation of Congregants and Leaders

We live in an age increasingly cynical about leadership—some of it for good reason, much of it simply the mood of our times. Still, the risen Christ continues the counter-cultural work he's done for two millennia: he appoints leaders in his church—not as a burden, but as a  gift to his people. "He  gave . . . the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry" (Ephesians 4:11–12).

What is the nature, calling, and work of local church leadership? Pastor and seminary professor David Mathis considers the elder qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 not only as prerequisites but as daily necessities to carry out joyfully. This accessible guide aims to serve current and aspiring pastors and elders, as well as church members who want to know the expectations for their leaders and how to pray for them. From the words of Christ to Peter and Paul and Hebrews, the New Testament casts a vision for church leaders that is good news to churches and leaders alike: joyful workers for the joy of their people.

• Great Training for Current and Aspiring Pastors and Elders: Expands on the nature and work of local church leadership through the framework of its qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9, and other passages
• Useful for the Whole Church: Aims to help full-time pastors, lay elders, deacons, and seminary students, as well as church members eager to explore the true nature of leadership in the church and to pray intentionally for their own pastors
• Explains 15 Virtues Church Leaders Should Pursue: Mathis shares Spirit-given competencies that Christian leaders can draw upon week in and week out to do the work to which Christ has called them 

Table of contents

• Cover
• Newsletter Signup
• Endorsements
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• Part 1 Humbled
• 1 How Christ Appoints His Pastors
• 2 Not a Novice—or Arrogant
• 3 Pastors Are Teachers
• 4 Pastors Keep Their Head in a Conflicted World
• Part 2 Whole
• 5 Self-Control and the Power of Christ
• 6 The World Needs More One-Woman Men
• 7 Does Drinking Disqualify a Pastor?
• 8 Does Your Pastor Love God or Money?
• 9 The Tragedy of Distracted Dads
• Part 3 Honorable
• 10 The First Requirement for Christian Leaders
• 11 How Pastors Win (and Lose) Respect
• 12 Love for Strangers and the Great Commission
• 13 The Strongest Men Are Gentle
• 14 How Do Pastors Pick Their Fights?
• 15 Why Christians Care What Outsiders Think
• Commission
• Thanks
• Appendix 1 Who Are the Deacons?
• Appendix 2 A Word for Leaders
• Appendix 3 What Is Anointing with Oil?
• Appendix 4 What Is the Laying On of Hands?
• Appendix 5 How Old Should Elders Be?
• Study Questions
• General Index
• Scripture Index