Introduction
    We were asked recently if we had any literature on leadership skills for Elders and Deacons. While we don’t have anything specific, we see the following as good guidelines: 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Beyond this, our Before and After Baptism may be helpful. However, Scripture does provide extra help in leadership skills for men. So we will take a look at a few of them along with 1 Timothy and Titus.
   The main function of a leader is to serve and set an example. Yahshua is the Perfect One to follow and emulate. As the Apostle Paul said, Be imitators of me, as I am of Messiah. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Messiah, 1 Corinthians 11:1-3 (New American Standard used throughout).
   As men, we will always have Messiah above us, therefore we must be sensitive to His leading us. We are to be sensitive to each other, especially our wives (as fellow heirs), in serving the Master (1 Pet. 3:7; Eph. 5:21) not being overbearing even to our children (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).

Relationship Instructions
    Apart from the “religious” men of His day, Yahshua was gentle with those with whom He dealt. His disciples witnessed this firsthand and were given Yahweh’s Spirit to help us to relate well with others. This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of Elohim, James 1:19–20
   So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Messiah, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of Elohim that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as Elohim would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory, 1 Peter 5:1-4.
   Even younger men can set an example. Paul told Timothy, Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity, 1 Timothy 4:12.
   Yahshua in Mark 9:35 affirms that being first requires one to have a servant’s attitude. And He sat down and called the twelve. And He said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” To lead is to serve others, not to be served (Phil. 2:3, 5). We first serve Yahweh through Yahshua (John 12:26). This will make one a great leader (Matt. 20:26).
   So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets, Matthew 7:12. Don’t give a burden you are not yourself willing to take.

Safety in Much Council
    Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety, Proverbs 11:14. The reality is even counselors can sometimes use counseling.
   The brethren overall, can be of assistance, knowing who is in good standing and worthy of certain positions. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty, Acts 6:3.
   Worthy means to live by certain standards. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 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, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for Elohim’s assembly? 1 Timothy 3:1-16. Some are above reproach and already proven managers (1 Tim. 5:8).
   Others are noted and chosen for certain skill sets, Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of Elohim in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun, Exodus 17:8-16. Leaders sometimes need support, and humble ones will accept it. Even if we are confident and elegant in our ways, we can always improve.
   Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of Yahweh. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Yahshua, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of Elohim more accurately, Acts 18:24-26. We can always learn more than what we confidently already know.

Yahweh Provides
    And Elohim has appointed in the assembly first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 1 Corinthians 12:28-29 (see also, Ephesians 4:11). We each have different gifts, and must rely on others to make up for our own weaknesses. But none of those weaknesses should have anything to do with sin.
   But as servants of Elohim we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 2 Corinthians 6:4. If proud, be so because of your loss and not your gain. It can easily show how dedicated one is to stay the course and not deviate off the straight and narrow path.

Love to the End
    To seek Yahweh’s will and live it is the kind of love to which we should aspire. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. There is no greater love than what Messiah did for us.
   He [just as Yahshua] must hold firm to the trustworthy Word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it, Titus 1:9. Being steadfast in the Spirit of Yahweh and Yahshua, expressing Their love, is key to being a good leader.