God's Standard for Church Leaders

Titus 1:5-9

Last week we spent all of our time thinking about God’s design for church leadership: elders. But we cannot move past this passage until we think about the second part of this passage’s point. In fact, it is the main point. This passage and its point answer one very important question: If elders are to lead the local church, who then ought to be elders?

Eldership is an exceedingly high calling

To shepherd the flock of God is a weighty matter

Elders will be judged with more strictness

James 3:1- Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

This part of the wisdom in a plurality of elders

There is no sinless shepherd, and therefore, they are all in need of other elders around them to assist, encourage, correct, and keep one another accountable

There is a high standard for church leaders

This standard is set by God, not by men

This standard is very similar for deacons as well

But specifically, this passage is about elders

Not just any person is biblically qualified to be an elder/pastor

In fact, there are far too many men and women who have been placed in pulpits and pastoral positions who are unqualified to be there

1 Timothy 5:22- Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

Qualifications for elders

Man

Elders are always referred to as being men

There is no reference to a female elder/pastor in the Bible

Paul explicitly teaches it

1 Timothy 2:5-15- Bible

1 Corinthians 14:26-40- “I do not permit a woman to speak”

1 Corinthians 11:3-10- only reference

Paul roots each one of these passages in creation order

That is why for the first 1,900 years of Church history it was unheard of and unthinkable for women to be pastors

This statement is controversial and offensive in our day, and many in the Western church try to argue for the legitimacy of women pastors from the Bible

But they have to twist Scripture passages and completely ignore others in order to make the teaching fo the Bible fit their personal assumptions about what is right

There simply is no biblically faithful way to get around the clear teaching of the New Testament on this point

It is not bad news of a sexist God, but good news of a good God who orders His Church in a wise way that nurtures and protects it

Above reproach

“Blameless”

Does not mean sinless

An elder must be able to hold up against public scrutiny

Not that they never sin in public

But they are not subject to credible criticism about open patterns of sin

Husband of one wife

Literally “one woman man”

An elder must be a man of proven faithfulness to his wife

The overarching point is sexual purity

His children are believers

Or “faithful”

No saying that every child must be a regenerate believer

They have no ultimate power to make this happen

An elder’s children must be submissive to their fatherly authority

And in this way, they are not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination

This is a proving ground for ministry because it is more basic

1 Timothy 3:4-5- 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?

Not arrogant

An elder must not think of himself more highly than others

Philippians 2:3- Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Not quick-tempered

An elder must be slow to anger

James 1:19-20- Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

He must be a peaceable man

Not a drunkard

Not given to drinking much alcohol

This is not to be taken as a complete ban on alcohol

It is speaking to freedom for the godly use of alcohol

Drunkeness disqualifies a pastor

Not violent

Or “bully”

An elder must be gentle toward others

His default tone is not inflammatory or aggressive but kind and tender

Not greedy for selfish gain

An elder must not be a lover of money

1 Timothy 6:9-10- But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Hospitable

An elder must be willing to open his home to care for others

Lover of good

An elder must not only live out godliness but also love and desire godliness

Self-controlled

An elder must not be controlled by fleshly desires and passions but be controlled by the indwelling Spirit

Upright

An elder must walk according to God’s righteous standard

Holy

An elder must bear the marks of the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work as he is conformed to the image of Christ

1 Peter 1:14-19- As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Disciplined

An elder must be steady and dependable

This is an attribute which seems to be strung through all of the others

Hold firm to the trustworthy Word

An elder must not stray from biblical orthodoxy

He must know the truth of the Word

He must firmly remain in good doctrine

Able to give instruction

An elder must have the ability to teach others the truth of God

This is the only qualification for elders that is not a character quality

A standard for every Christian

These are not simply ideal qualities for a few leaders

These are the standards toward which every believer ought to strive

How much does your life correlate to this list?

Do you pursue godliness and holiness like this?

Our expectations of the Christian life are almost never too high but far too low

It is impossible, yet it is possible

We have no ability to do this in our own power

Legalism helps no one and does not please God

That’s why the Spirit of Christ has been given to us to dwell in us

He is exceedingly able to transform us and empower us

If you have not received Christ as your Lord, Savior, and all-satisfying fountain of life, then please talk to me before you leave

If you have questions about what I mean by this, I’d love to talk

If you have objections or questions that you are wrestling with, I’d love to talk

If you have just now been awakened to the truth and beauty of Jesus and put your faith in Him, please come talk to me

All that I have said will be meaningless for everyone who hears it apart from saving faith in Christ Jesus

Let us strive together to be a people of holiness

He who has redeemed us and made us His children is holy, so therefore brothers and sisters, be holy

May the leaders here at Summit Mills live in accord with this high calling

May we strive together to live in accord with the righteousness and holiness of Him who bought you with His own blood

Pray for 2 Corinthians 3:18 to increase in our lives-

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.