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100 Bible Verses about Pastoral Leadership

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 96 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Acts 20:28 ESV / 83 helpful votes

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Titus 1:6 ESV / 69 helpful votes

If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 68 helpful votes

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV / 63 helpful votes

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 God's church? ...

Titus 1:5-9 ESV / 62 helpful votes

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He 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 ESV / 56 helpful votes

He 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.

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 55 helpful votes

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV / 55 helpful votes

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Titus 1:7 ESV / 49 helpful votes

For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

James 3:1 ESV / 48 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 46 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 44 helpful votes

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 41 helpful votes

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Acts 14:23 ESV / 41 helpful votes

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Matthew 20:26 ESV / 41 helpful votes

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

Galatians 3:28 ESV / 39 helpful votes

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Titus 2:3-5 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 33 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 Timothy 5:17-18 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

1 Timothy 3:6 ESV / 32 helpful votes

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 32 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV / 31 helpful votes

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God 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 Timothy 4:16 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 3:4-5 ESV / 31 helpful votes

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 God's church?

1 Timothy 3:4 ESV / 31 helpful votes

He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,

1 Timothy 3:1-2 ESV / 31 helpful votes

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,

Romans 8:28 ESV / 30 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Jeremiah 3:15 ESV / 30 helpful votes

“‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 27 helpful votes

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV / 27 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Acts 20:17 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

1 Timothy 3:1 ESV / 26 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

1 Timothy 2:12 ESV / 26 helpful votes

I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

Acts 20:31 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

Psalm 78:72 ESV / 26 helpful votes

With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.

1 Peter 5:2 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 25 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

John 3:30 ESV / 25 helpful votes

He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Mark 10:42-45 ESV / 25 helpful votes

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Exodus 18:21 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

1 Timothy 3:8 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV / 24 helpful votes

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 God's church? ...

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 23 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

Titus 1:8 ESV / 23 helpful votes

But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 23 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 5:22 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

1 Timothy 5:19-20 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

1 Timothy 3:3 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 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 Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. ...

Titus 1:5 ESV / 21 helpful votes

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

James 5:14 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

1 Timothy 2:1-15 ESV / 20 helpful votes

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ...

Luke 8:1-3 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

1 Peter 5:4 ESV / 19 helpful votes

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV / 19 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Acts 15:1-41 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” ...

Matthew 20:25-28 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:2-3 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

2 Timothy 1:6 ESV / 18 helpful votes

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 18 helpful votes

If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:10 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

Mark 6:34 ESV / 18 helpful votes

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Hebrews 13:24 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.

Titus 1:2 ESV / 17 helpful votes

In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 17 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 17 helpful votes

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

1 Timothy 3:7 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:2-3 ESV / 17 helpful votes

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.

1 Timothy 1:5 ESV / 17 helpful votes

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Ephesians 5:22-33 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ...

Acts 20:29-30 ESV / 17 helpful votes

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Acts 18:24-26 ESV / 17 helpful votes

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 the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, 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 aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Acts 15:22 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

Acts 14:12 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 6:4 ESV / 17 helpful votes

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

John 10:11 ESV / 17 helpful votes

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 17 helpful votes

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

1 Peter 5:1-5 ESV / 16 helpful votes

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God 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. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 2:25 ESV / 16 helpful votes

For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

James 1:22 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Hebrews 13:20 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,

1 Timothy 5:11 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry

1 Timothy 3:12 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

John 13:13-17 ESV / 15 helpful votes

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

1 Timothy 5:20 ESV / 14 helpful votes

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

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