Man Talk: Qualifications for Elders

I got an email from my pastor this week that detailed the qualifications of being an Elder listed in the Bible.  As Christian men, these are things that we are supposed to strive for.  This week I figured I'd just list some of the stuff from that email, because it's worded much better than I could say it. 

Titus 1:5-9  Titus 1:5 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-- Titus 1:6  if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are faithful and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. Titus 1:7  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, Titus 1:8  but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. Titus 1:9  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.  

 

1 Timothy 3:1-7 1Ti 3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 1Ti 3:2  Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 1Ti 3:3  not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 1Ti 3:4  He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 1Ti 3:5  for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 1Ti 3:6  He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 1Ti 3:7  Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

And here's a summary of the qualifications laid out in those verses.  Men, think about these.  Pray that God will show you how you can improve these areas in your lives.  These are practical qualities that we can all work on.

The first 15 deal with moral issues:

1. Above reproach.  - literally means "unaccused". “Reproach” is to bring down. If we are "above" reproach, then there is no justifiable way to be brought down by accusation. That is the key to this position, because even Jesus was accused, and so was Paul among others. So, it is not just that one be without accusation from anyone for anything, but that there be no justifiable reason for accusation of wrong.
2. Sober-minded – This refers to the ability to think clearly and spiritually about important matters with balanced judgment.
3. Self-controlled - He must also exhibit self-control over the desires of the flesh, and have the discipline of patient, and wise judgment.
4. Respectable – Literally able to be respected. This is by others both inside the church and out. He must have a character that others desire to emulate and follow.
5. Hospitable – His life must be transparent and accessible to others. It requires that his home is open to minister to the needs of others. It is an “others-centeredness” that follows his Christ-centeredness.
6. Not violent, but gentle – Kind, gracious, fair, mild, appropriate. He is patient with others, never returning evil for evil. He should not be easily irritated or have a temper problem, whether displayed physically or verbally.
7. A lover of good – Loving others and desiring their good. As Jesus said, “only God is good”, therefore to love good, is to love God, because all that is truly good comes from God.
8. Upright – Being a pursuer of righteousness and desiring to live according to God’s Word. This man will be able to make righteous and fair decisions in the church.
9. Holy – Pure and undefiled and set apart for God to obey His will.
10. Disciplined – literally means “strong” or “having power over”.  This is self-discipline in all aspects of life, and is shown in his fight against ungodliness in his flesh.
11. Not a drunkard - There should be no abuse of substance that would bring shame to the church. Dependence on these things contradicts self-discipline.
12. Not quarrelsome – He must be able to defuse disputes in the church and not add to them with his own opinions. He must be a peacemaker, always seeking to be a minister of reconciliation.
13. Not a lover of money – Scripture says you cannot serve both God and money, and the love of money is the root of all evil.
14. Not be arrogant – He must not be a self-focused person, always insisting, boasting, or manipulating to his own desires. He must, like Christ, consider others more important than himself. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
15. Not be quick-tempered – To be slow to anger and abounding in love is to be like the Lord who deals patiently with sinners.

The next 3 are situational qualifications:

16. Able to teach – This is the primary distinguishing mark of the office of elder relating to his duties in the church. He must be able to accurately handle the Word of truth, and know it well enough to be able to rebuke those who contradict sound doctrine. This duty is essential in maintaining the spiritual health and growth of the church. This is not necessarily referring to public preaching, but does require the aptitude to communicate truth to others, individually or in groups, for the glory of God and the good of the church.
17. Not a recent convert – When a recent convert assumes an important role in leadership, he may succumb to the temptations of pride to the detriment of the church.
18. Well thought of by outsiders – Outsiders are non-Christians before whom an elder must maintain a good reputation. The opinions of outsiders should be of utmost respect for the elder based on what is known through their relationship.

The next 2 qualifications relate to the family of the elder

19. Husband of one wife – This does not mean that an elder must be married. If that were the case it would disqualify the writer, Paul, not to mention Jesus from being an elder in a church. This phrase refers to the man’s faithfulness to his wife once he is married. Elders are to lead in setting the example for devotion to their wives. Obviously, this prohibits polygamy, but does not necessarily exclude a man who has remarried after his wife dies or an unbelieving wife divorces him.
20. Manage his own household well– relates to a man’s role as a father and his relationship to his children. An elder must have respectful and obedient children. If he cannot manage his household, then he cannot manage the household of God.