The document discusses the importance of character over gifting in church leaders. It quotes John Wimber saying he looks for how potential leaders love and serve the local church, give, and talk about other leaders when evaluating them rather than their gifts. A leader must have an exemplary character and lifestyle according to scripture. Power can corrupt, so leaders must have strong character. Leaders will reproduce themselves and their character in others, so it is important that they set a godly example through their daily spirituality and lives.

1. Vineyard Values
(continued)

2. John Wimber

3. Vineyard Values
Character, not
Gifting

4. "In looking for leaders I don't look for great
gifting as much as I look for character. I want to
see how they love & serve the local Church. I
want to see how they give. I want to see how
otherly they are & how they talk about their
leaders. Gifting can get worked on, character is
a must.."
John Wimber

5. …a church leader must be a man whose life is
above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.
He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and
have a good reputation. He must enjoy having
guests in his home, and he must be able to
teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be
violent.

6. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not
love money. He must manage his own family
well, having children who respect and obey
him. For if a man cannot manage his own
household, how can he take care of God’s
church?
1 Timothy 3: 2-5

7. Why is a leader’s
character so important?
1. Power corrupts

9. “The difficulty will not be so much in the
writing of new and great music; the test will be
the godliness of those that perform and deliver
it. In that sense some of our worship
community is not well prepared. Many have
been allowed into worship leading because
there is a need for their worship and musical
skills.

10. But little has been said to them about the need
for godliness, spirituality and depth of maturity
in their individual and family lives. Quite
frankly, many of our musicians are just not
steeped in a daily spirituality.”
John Wimber

11. Why is a leader’s
character so important?
2. Leaders reproduce
themselves

12. “Whatever we are is multiplied, for good or for
bad. Whatever we have on our tree is what we
are going to get in our orchard.”
John Wimber

13. “I never pay anybody to do a job, I only pay
those who know how to mobilize others to do
the job. Discipleship is the key to longevity."
John Wimber

14. My grandfather explained that when a horse
cannot do its job, if you connect it to one that
can, soon both do the job ... Being around
someone who does it successfully is the best
way to learn to do it yourself.
John Wimber

15. Vineyard Values
Character, not
Gifting