1 Timothy 3:2c -- Leadership quality #3: well-balanced

To catch up on our adventure through 1 Timothy, click here and read from the bottom post up.

1 Timothy 3:2c (NIV):

"[Now the overseer must be] temperate..."

Leadership quality #2: The leader must be well-balanced.

The Greek word for temperate is used elsewhere only twice--in 1 Timothy 3:11 and Titus 2:2. It means well-balanced.

How balanced is your life and ministry? Most pastors and church staff I have known have been incredibly unbalanced!

I am so grateful for a church like NorthStar and a pastor like Mike Linch! Mike continually reminds us to stay balanced and to make sure we don't shortchange our family. And Mike walks the talk.

Raise your leadership level: Is your life as balanced as it could be? Here's how to know: Take a good look at your roles and goals.

Sit down and write out all of the roles you take on. (For example, some of my roles include: husband, father, son, brother, neighbor, homeowner, employee, church leader, etc.)

If your job is complex and you tend to wear several hats depending on the need of the moment, then break that down further into the different roles you take on at work.

Also, include the role of saw-sharpener, to paraphrase Stephen Covey. This means taking the time to sharpen your skills and get smarter, faster, and better, both with work and all your other roles. (Alternatively, you could include a saw-sharpening component in each of your roles.)

And don't forget any hobbies and leisure activities that are important to you (for example: reader, bowling-league member, skier, gardener, etc.).

Now that you have all your roles listed out, take the time to write goals for each role. If you've never done this, it takes some time, but it's worth it. Remember that if we aim for nothing, we'll hit it! Write a minimum of one goal for each role.

As you go through this process, you will see pretty clearly how well-balanced or unbalanced your life is!

Remember that you are not trying to give equal time to everyone and everything. That would be called being fair, and that's not the goal. Balanced means that everyone and everything is being given the appropriate amount of attention, based on its priority.