What Are the Qualifications of Elders?

Why does God have qualifications for the shepherds of His church?

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It’s God’s design for His church that each congregation have elders or shepherds who watch over the flock (Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23).

God’s design calls for there to be multiple elders in each church (at least two). God’s design for leadership in His church does not allow for a single “pastor” or “bishop” to lead the flock.

It’s also God’s design for His church that the elders (and deacons) be Christian men who meet specific qualifications and requirements.

The office and role of elders is not…

• An honorary position given to long-time faithful members.

• A board position filled by personal friends, the rich, or the “well-connected.”

• Something only those with advanced Bible degrees can fill.

Why the Qualifications?

In the New Testament, more is said about the qualifications of elders than any other aspect.

What are some reasons why God requires elders to meet certain qualifications? (From Strauch in Biblical Eldership).

The Lord cares about who watches over His children.

He must be of “irreproachable character” and able to use the Scriptures because he is the manager of God’s house (Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:15). Elders oversee God’s own children – do you care about the kind of people who watch over your children? God does too.

The Lord cares about the example of leaders.

Elders must be “living examples” the rest of the church can follow (1 Peter 5:3). God calls Christians to be blameless, innocent, and above reproach while living in this wicked world (Philippians 2:15) – those who lead God’s people must be examples worth following.

The Lord protects His church.

God’s qualifications protect His church from incompetent, morally unfit leaders. Some desire leadership to satisfy their own ego. Some are deceived, thinking their own character and abilities are something it’s not. Some are evil-doers who look to “creep in” and ruin God’s church. The qualifications God has given protect His people from leaders who should not be leading His people.

As we consider God’s qualifications for elders, we will see them broken into three main areas: Character, Abilities, and Motivation.

The Elder’s Character.

“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable [of good behavior – NKJV], hospitable [kind to strangers, generous to guests]…not a drunkard, not violent [not a bully] but gentle, not quarrelsome [contentious], not a lover of money…He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 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, 6-7).

“…if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife…For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant [self-willed] or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined” (Titus 1:6-8).

Purity.

An elder must be “above reproach” in his marital and sexual life – “the husband of one wife” (Ephesians 5:3).

“One of Satan’s oldest, most effective strategies for destroying the people of God is to adulterate the marriages of those who lead God’s people (Numbers 25:1-5; 1 Kings 11:1-13; Ezra 9:1-2).” – Strauch, Biblical Eldership, 75

Self-Control.

The man who meets God’s qualifications to serve as an elder must control his mind, desires, and actions (sober-minded, self-controlled, not a drunkard, not violent, not arrogant, not greedy for gain, or a lover of money).

Spiritual Maturity.

He cannot be a recent convert [newly planted]. Otherwise, being put into a leadership role as a new convert could result in an inflated ego which leads to condemnation.

Also, he must be well thought of [have a good reputation among] by those outside the church – the community, neighbors, co-workers, etc. Those who meet God’s qualifications for elders are not someone who is one way at church, but another way in the world.

The Elder’s Abilities.

Must manage his own household well.

“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 3:4-5)

“…and his children are believers [faithful] and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination” (Titus 1:6).

I think the context shows that Paul is referring to children who are living at home under the father’s authority. What kind of father is this man while his children are living at home?

Is, or was, he active in the lives of his children? Is he a responsible father, providing for the spiritual, financial, and emotional well-being of his family? Does he keep his children in submission to his authority and example in a gentle, dignified way – or is he a tyrant?

The home is the “training ground” for the management of God’s house. The man who is a poor father is unqualified to “watch over” God’s children.

Must provide a godly example.

“…not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

Being an elder is not about wielding power or control over the church – it’s about leading the flock after the Chief Shepherd. The phrase “those in your charge” emphasizes that the people (the church) do not belong to the elders – they belong to Jesus.

The elders have authority from God to lead and manage His people – but that authority must not be abused or misused.

Must be able to teach and defend the faith.

“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).

“…able to teach…” (1 Timothy 3:2).

“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. 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. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears” (Acts 20:28-31).

The elders must know the Scriptures to teach “sound [healthy, correct] doctrine” and to oppose and rebuke false teachers. A man whose knowledge of the Scriptures is lacking does not meet God’s qualifications to serve as a shepherd of His flock.

The Elder’s Motivation.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1).

“…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 5:2).

The work of an “overseer” is a good work, and it is a good thing to “desire” that position.

However, the motivation behind the desire must be a willingness to serve as God would have His elders serve. The motivation must not be for selfish reasons, but with a willing and ready mind, zealous to do God’s will.