I remember the old joke where someone mentioned that the approval rating of Congress was 17% and everyone wondered just what those 17% of people were thinking.
The reputation of certain bodies are taken for granted in many ways. Purveyors of pre-owned automobiles are often all lumped into a similar category on the trust-worthy scale, whether they deserve it or not.
But think about the early Christian church -- they were shaping their reputation for the first time. This was an entirely new entity, comprised of people from every part of society. Society didn't have pre-conceived notions because it was all new. Everyone was figuring them out along the way. Therefore, it was very, very important who they chose as leaders, because that would, as Paul says, give confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
I hope that we take this as seriously today. It's still vitally important that all Christians think about how their choices reflect upon the reputation of the church, but particularly the leaders. The reputation of the church today is already sealed in the minds of many, and we know the sad truth that the failures of many church leaders have turned people away from the church. May we live in such a way that invites trust and curiosity in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
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