Elders (2)

Appoint Elders

Church's responsibility is to appoint Elders

Meaning (position) v. — to create a position and charge a person with the task or function of that position.

Elders at HMC

PURPOSE:

To provide leadership in becoming a team with the pastors and bishop (overseer) in “overseeing” the mission and ministry of the Hicksville Mennonite Church.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

To provide support and counsel to the pastors and bishop (overseer) in the leadership of the church.

There are to be three elders, each serving a three year term.

Elders are to be chosen by the voice of the congregation.

Elders may succeed themselves in terms of office.

Elders are to function with the pastors and bishop (overseer) in a close bond of accountability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. To give counsel to the pastors and bishop (overseer).

b. To assist the pastors in the work of the church.

c. To provide leadership during the absence of a pastor.

Qualifications

1 Timothy 3:1–7 NLT

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” So 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. 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? A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

What are the essential qualities of elders? What are qualities of the spiritually mature?

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul lists the qualities of an overseer or an elder. After teaching about prayer and the roles of men and women in the church in chapter 2, he moves on to the leadership in chapter 3. It is very clear throughout the epistle that the Ephesians had leadership problems.

Paul prophesied about this in Acts 20:29-31.

Acts 20:29–31 NLT

I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

He warned the elders that false teachers would arise, even from their own number, and hurt the flock.

teaching a false gospel (1:4),

1 Timothy 1:4 LEB

and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan that is by faith.

Some women were probably even usurping the male leadership, as implied by his prohibitions towards them (2:12).

1 Timothy 2:12 LEB

But I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

The church had a leadership issue.

Why is leadership so important? Christ said in Luke 6:40, “A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when fully trained will be like his teacher.”

Hosea 4:9 (NIV) says, “And it will be: Like people, like priests.”

Church leaders set the spiritual ceiling in our churches, as they essentially reproduce themselves.

In considering this reality, Kent Hughes said:

It is a sober fact that as goes the leadership, so goes the church. With some commonsense qualifications, it is an axiom that what we are as leaders in microcosm, the congregation will become in macrocosm as the years go by. Of course, there are always individual exceptions. But it is generally true that if the leadership is Word-centered, the church will be Word-centered. If the leadership is mission-minded, the church will be mission-minded. If the leadership is sincere, the people will be sincere. If the leadership is kind, the church will be kind. This is also true negatively—exponentially! Unloving, narrow, stingy leaders beget an unloving, narrow, stingy church. Hughes, R. K., & Chapell, B. (2000). 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: to guard the deposit (p. 76). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Before we consider the qualifications of an elder, we must first consider what an elder is. In 1 Timothy 3:1, Paul calls the leaders “overseers” or it can be translated “bishops.” In some denominations, elders, pastors, and bishops have different roles. Bishops oversee pastors in a region or a city, and pastors oversee elders at a church. However, in Scripture, these titles refer to the same position. We can discern this by the fact that these titles are often used interchangeably in Scripture (cf. Titus 1:5, 7; Acts 20:17, 28).

Consider 1 Peter 5:1-2:

1 Peter 5:1–2 NIV

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

Why are these three titles used for the same office?

Essentially, they represent different qualities and roles of these leaders.

“Elder” represents spiritual maturity and wisdom.

“Pastor” is a shepherding term referring to how they care for people.

“Bishop” or “overseer” refers to the oversight or rulership that comes with the office.

Elders should be spiritually mature males who shepherd the church.

Throughout 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and the parallel passage in Titus 1:6-9, Paul uses male pronouns for this office such as: “‘He’ must manage ‘his’ own household well and keep ‘his’ children in control without losing his dignity,” “‘he’ must not be a recent convert,” etc. These were spiritually mature male leaders that cared for the flock.

What exactly is the elders’ job?

They are to rule (1 Tim. 5:17), to preach and teach (1 Tim. 5:17), to pray for the sick (James 5:14), to care for the church (1 Peter 5:1–2), to be examples for others to follow (1 Peter 5:1–2), to set church policy (Acts 15:22ff.), and to ordain other leaders (1 Tim. 4:14).3

As we consider the essential qualities of an elder, it should give us wisdom as we are involved in the selection of elders.

When God looks for a man or woman to use, he finds someone with these qualities.

David as the future king of Israel, Samuel said: “the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart” (1 Sam 13:14 NIV). Second Chronicles 16:9 (NIV) says, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” When God looks for a spiritual leader, he finds someone with the right heart.

As we go through the qualities of an elder, it should challenge us to grow as they represent spiritual maturity, but it should also challenge us to be the type of person God can use for his glory and to lead his people.

Elders Must Desire and Pursue Service (v. 1)

Paul says, “If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.” The word “aspires” means “‘to reach out after,’ or ‘to stretch out oneself to grasp something.’ The term does not speak of internal motives, but only describes the external act.” 4 “Desires” means “a passionate compulsion.”5 Together these two words describe somebody who pursues the ministry because of an inner compulsion.

First Peter 5:2 describes elders as people who should serve “eagerly.” It is not so much a drive to be a pastor or elder, it’s a drive to serve—they desire a “good work.”

Eldership is work. In many churches, the elders just have meetings but aren’t really involved in the ministry of the church. However, that is not biblical. Elders work—they work to care for, pray for, and serve the people God has given them. And it is not only a good work, but possibly the noblest work one can give themselves to.

Christ himself is called our great shepherd in 1 Peter 2:25.

1 Peter 2:25 LEB

For you were going astray like sheep, but you have turned back now to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Often in ministry, people emphasize the call to the pastorate, as though one must hear a voice from heaven. Some may experience a blinding light like Paul or God speaking to them clearly like Samuel and Jeremiah, but this is not the norm.

When God typically calls us to anything, including becoming an elder, he simply gives us the heart for it and the discipline to pursue it.

Philippians 2:13 NLT

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Those are essential parts of a call to elder ministry—it is an inner desire to serve God and care for his people and the discipline to pursue it. Again, it is not about the office—it is about the work: studying God’s Word and caring for God’s people.

John MacArthur said, “ambition for office corrupts, desire for service purifies.”

Though this applies specifically to the eldership, the principles apply to all. The spiritually mature are motivated to serve and seek avenues to use their gifts, while the spiritually immature are content to sit on the sidelines.

In addition, when God looks for someone to use, he looks for someone who has allowed themselves to be burdened by God. They see the lost and the needs of the church, and they want to serve. They desire to serve God and people, and they pursue this service in various ways. It is those people who God uses to build his church and his kingdom.

The phrase “above reproach” can also be translated “blameless.” Many call this the overarching quality of an elder and that all the other qualities primarily support it.

Kent Hughes said:

This apparently summarizes all the following qualifications, for we see that the final qualification is also about reputation: “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (v. 7).

“Above reproach” literally means “nothing to take hold upon.”

It is not referring to being sinless, for nobody can be sinless. It means that there are no legitimate concerns about this man’s life that anyone can hold up and criticize.

Application Question: Why is it so important for the elder’s life to be above approach?

John MacArthur gives several reasons:

First, they are the special targets of Satan, and he will assault them with more severe temptation than others. Those on the front lines of the spiritual battle will bear the brunt of satanic opposition.Second, their fall has a greater potential for harm. Satan knows that when a shepherd falls, the effect on the sheep is devastating.Third, leaders’ greater knowledge of the truth, and accountability to live it, brings greater chastening when they sin.Fourth, elders’ sins are more hypocritical than others’ because they preach against the very sins they commit.9

Again, these are qualities of spiritual maturity. The spiritually mature seek to be above approach, even in areas where there is freedom. Where the spiritually immature only ask, “Is this OK?” or “Is this my right?”, the spiritually mature ask, “Will this be beneficial for me and others?” Often, they forsake their rights to not cause others to sin. Like Paul, they declare that they will not eat meat, drink wine, or do anything else if it causes a brother to stumble (Rom 14:21).

Elders Must Be Faithful to Their Wives (v. 2)

Paul said that the elder must be “the husband of one wife.” There have been many interpretations of this throughout the centuries: Some think it means elders must be married; however, this would disqualify Paul, Timothy, and Jesus.

Others believe this forbids the practice of polygamy. Others think it disqualifies a divorced and/or remarried man.

Whatever one’s marital status is, it can literally can be translated “a one-woman man.”

It means, if he is married, he is faithful to his wife. If he is single, he doesn’t flirt with women.

No doubt, one of the reasons Paul lists this is because elders are so prone to stumble in this area. Elders minister to women, even as Christ did. Often this ministry happens when they are most vulnerable. A man not walking in victory in this area will be prone to fall. The failure to be a one-woman man has probably put more men out of ministry than any other sin. It is, therefore, a very important concern.

Proverbs 7:25–27 NLT

Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.

Many are the victims brought down by sexual promiscuity. Samson succumbed to sexual sin, and so did David and Solomon. In ministry, it is important to enlist those who are blameless in their relations with the opposite sex.

Again, this is not just for elders—this is true for all. It is a quality of spiritual maturity. Where a spiritually immature person might be known for being flirty and unwise with the opposite sex, the mature believer knows the dangers in this area. If they are courting, they are focused on that person and establish wise boundaries to protect from stumbling. If they are married, their eyes are only on their spouse and they try to maintain appropriate boundaries with members of the opposite sex.

When God looks for a person to use for his ministry, he finds someone who is wise in their relations with the opposite sex. How are your relations with the opposite sex?

Elders Must Be Temperate (v. 2)

“Temperate” literally means “wineless” or “unmixed with wine.”11

Metaphorically, it means to be “‘alert,’ ‘watchful,’ ‘vigilant,’ or ‘clearheaded.’ That may be its primary sense in this passage. A leader must be one who thinks clearly. He must possess the inner strength to refrain from any excess that would dull his alertness.”12

Excess in any area can affect our spiritual discernment. We must be wise and careful about our eating and drinking, our sleep, our entertainment, our exercise, and our relationships. We must be clearheaded in order to discern God’s will for our lives and others.

Are you temperate—practicing self-restraint?

Elders Must Be Self-controlled (v. 2)

“Self-controlled” can be translated “sober-mindedness.” Warren Wiersbe described the elder’s sober-mindedness this way:

He must have a serious attitude and be in earnest about his work. This does not mean he has no sense of humor, or that he is always solemn and somber. Rather it suggests that he knows the value of things and does not cheapen the ministry or the Gospel message by foolish behavior.13

1 Peter 4:11 NLT

Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Sober-minded believers are serious about God and faith.

For many, their faith is not a priority. They are serious about many other endeavors but faith is not one of them. Being sober-minded is another characteristic of the spiritually mature. To the sober-minded believer, faith is the most important aspect of their life. It affects everything they do—they are serious about it.

Are you sober-minded—serious about God and the things of God?

It doesn't say to be sober faced. Sober minded can be a person with joyful faces.

Elders Must Be Respectable (v. 2)

“Respectable” can also be translated “orderly.”14

It is the opposite of chaotic. A spiritual leader must have an orderly, well-disciplined life. Commentator Homer Kent said this: “‘The ministry is no place for the man whose life is a continual confusion of unaccomplished plans and unorganized activities.’”15

God is a God of order and not of chaos

1 Corinthians 14:33 NLT

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.

Therefore, as we grow in spiritual maturity, we will find the ability to discipline our mind, body, and life to accomplish the tasks the Lord calls us to. Are you orderly? Do you conduct affairs in a manner that is respectable?

Elders Must Be Hospitable (v. 2)

Every elder should be faithful in ministry even before being selected. “Hospitable” and “able to teach” describe that ministry.

The word “hospitable” literally can be translated “lover of strangers.” His house is open to the saved and unsaved alike. This was extremely important in ancient times as there were not many inns. It also was important for traveling missionaries who visited and stayed in homes as they shared the gospel.

Romans 12:13 says this to all believers about hospitality: “Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.” The word “pursue” can also be translated “practice” or “chase.” It can mean a “strenuous pursuit.”16

Christians should not wait for opportunities to show hospitality—they should pursue them. This is especially true of potential elders. These are not men waiting for a ministry—these are men already doing ministry and the church just recognizes what God is doing through them. They are already shepherds.

Similarly, when God calls for people to serve him in a greater fashion, they are already being faithful in a lesser fashion (cf. Matt 25:23).

Matthew 25:23 LEB

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge over many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

They are faithful with their church, their friendships, their job, their money, their devotions, etc., and as they are faithful, God equips and uses them in a greater way.

Elders Must Be Able to Teach (v. 2)

This is the only non-character qualification in the list. Elders must be students and teachers of God’s Word.

Titus 1:9 NLT

He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

When God looks for someone to use, he finds someone who loves Scripture and teaches it to others.

Remember what God said to Joshua: “This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful” (Joshua 1:8).

Not only was Joshua called to meditate on the law and obey it, but also to never let it depart from his lips. He was called to be a teacher. When God looks for a person to use, he finds someone committed to studying and sharing God’s Word.

Proverbs 31:4-5 says, “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights.”

Elders Must Not Be Violent (v. 3)

“Not violent” can be literally translated “not a giver of blows.”18

The elder should not be known for physical violence either publicly or privately. He must be a man who trusts God to fight his battles. Romans 12:19 says, “Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Obviously, a violent man would greatly hinder God’s work in the church. But this is true for any spiritual leader—he or she would be a cause of discord instead of peace. Not being violent is a quality of the spiritually mature.

Elders Must Be Gentle (v. 3)

The word “gentle” has the connotation of forbearance and patience when wronged.

John MacArthur’s comments are helpful:

Epieikēs (gentle) describes the person who is considerate, genial, forbearing, and gracious, who easily pardons human failure. Such a person remembers good, not evil. He does not keep a list of all the wrongs done to him, or hold a grudge. Many men leave the ministry because they can’t accept criticism. A leader, when wronged, must have no thought of retaliation.19

In ministry, the elders will constantly be criticized and attacked as they serve God faithfully. Therefore, they must be able to respond in a gentle manner—if not, they will aid in causing division and possibly church splits. Where the spiritually immature are often harsh in response to being wronged, the spiritually mature instead respond with gentleness.

Paul said, “Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:20-21).

Elders Must Not Be Quarrelsome (v. 3)

Essentially, Paul says elders should not be “contentious.” They are not arguers—always fighting over something. They must be able to disagree without being disagreeable.

2 Timothy 2:24–25 NLT

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

The reason God’s servants don’t quarrel is because their confidence is not in their arguments or raising their voice. It is in God. They know God is the one that changes hearts—not them. Short tempers make for short ministries.

Elders Must Not Be Lovers of Money (v. 3)

Ministry should not be chosen for career and financial aspirations; it should be chosen because of a desire to serve.

1 Timothy 6:9–11 NLT

But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

Paul’s challenge to flee from the love of money does not just apply to money itself. Elders should not be materialistic in general. They should not be consumed with clothes, electronics, cars, etc.

First Timothy 6:6-8 says, “Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either. But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.”

Money and the things of this world must not have a grip on their hearts. They should be men who are content and not running after every new thing. Godliness with contentment is great spiritual gain, but those who love wealth open the door for many temptations.

Was it not, in part, Eve’s desire for things that led her away from God? In the same way, all believers, not just leaders, must be careful of materialism.

Paul said,

He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?

Here Paul makes an argument from the lesser to the greater. If a person manages his family well, then he will be able to manage God’s church.

“Manage” is a military term referring to “lining up in rank under one in authority.”20 This includes his children obeying him. Titus 1:6 says, “An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.” Managing one’s family is holistic. It includes faithfulness with finances—the elder pays his bills on time and stays out of debt. He teaches his wife and children the Word of God. He faithfully cares for his home and therefore will be faithful in caring for the church. The word “care” is used in the story of the Good Samaritan to describe how he faithfully cared for the victim of the robbers (Lk 10:34).21

When it says that the elder does this “without losing his dignity” or in a “manner worthy of full of respect” (NIV), it means that the elder’s house should be a model for others. He cares for his family in a dignified manner that encourages and draws respect from others.

For this reason, elders, and Christians in general, must prioritize their family, even before the church. In 1 Timothy 5:4, Paul teaches that it is the first place that believers must practice their faith. Those who neglect this are disqualified from other ministries.

Elders Must Be Mature (v. 6)

Paul said he must not be a “recent convert.” The phrase means “one newly planted,” referring to a young Christian.22

The ministry of an elder requires experience, wisdom, and understanding. Paul says this is necessary in part so that he does not “become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact” (v. 6). “Arrogant” means “to puff up like a cloud of smoke.”23 Like Satan, a young believer might become prone to pride and therefore receive God’s judgment. “The church must not lift up those whom the Lord will later have to cut down.”24

The opposite of pride is humility. An elder must be a humble, mature man. This comes from both being in God’s presence and being humbled through failure. He knows that anything good coming from him must be of God. Paul said that no good thing dwelled in his flesh (Rom 7:18). It was this humility that opened the door for God to use him. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

While the spiritually immature are prone to pride, independence, and judgmentalism, the spiritually mature have learned humility, and God exalts them because of it. When God finds a man or woman to use, he finds someone who is mature and therefore humble.

Elders Must Have a Good Reputation among the Lost (v. 7)

Finally, Paul says, “he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.”

“Well thought of” literally can be translated “beautiful witness.” He must have a beautiful witness among outsiders. They may accuse him because of his doctrine and belief system, but they acknowledge his honesty, integrity, and hard work. If the elder does not have a beautiful witness, it opens the door to fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.

MacDonald said this about the snare of the devil:

The snare of the devil is the trap which Satan lays for those whose lives are not consistent with their profession. Once he has caught men in this trap, he holds them up to ridicule, scorn, and contempt.25

Those who profess godliness at church but practice drunkenness, immorality, and dishonestly throughout the week open the door for the devil to trap and accuse them, and bring dishonor upon God and his church. The devil is always seeking to destroy the believer’s testimony because to do so often destroys the testimony of Christ and his bride—the church.

Conclusion

When God sought a new king for Israel, he looked for a man after his own heart (1 Sam 13:14). God is not looking for degrees, skills, and accolades. He looks for people with right hearts towards him. His eyes roam the earth seeking those whose hearts are right towards him so he can use them for his glory (2 Chr 16:9).