Elder Qualifications

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These are not suggestions or ideals. A man must meet all of these qualifications.

 

  1. Desires to be an Elder   (1 Tim 3:1)  — he must want to serve in this office.
  2.  Blameless and Above Reproach  (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6) — not perfect since there would be no elders ever, but living in a way that no reproach or blame rests on them.
  3. Husband of One Wife   (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6)  — he must be a married man.
  4. Temperate    (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:7-8) — self-controlled in all aspects of life they are the same man wherever they are.
  5. Sober-Minded      (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:7-8) — able to clearly make decisions, mature.
  6. Orderly   (1 Tim 3:2) — well behaved and reliable.
  7. Hospitable  (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8) — courteous, friendly, kind, welcoming.
  8. Able to Teach   (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9) — able to teach the church and hold to the Word of God. 
  9. Not Given to Wine  (1 Tim 3:3)
  10. Not Violent  (1 Tim 3:3)
  11. Not Greedy or a Lover of Money  (1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7) — generous with sound judgement. Able to manage finances for the work of God.
  12. Gentle  (1 Tim 3:3) — courteous, peaceful, not harsh or turbulent or coarse or ride.
  13. Not Quarrelsome  (1 Tim 3:3) — not argumentative but able to manage conflict peacefully.
  14. Not Covetous  
  15. Rule His House Well   (1 Tim 3:5-6) — children living faithful lives in submission.Not a New Christian  — new to the faith or new to the church (how can they shepherd if they know not the sheep?).
  16. Good Reputation among Non-Christians  (1 Tim 3:7)
  17. Faithful Children   (Titus 1:6) —  children old enough to be Christians should be.
  18. Not Quick Tempered   (Titus 1:7) 
  19. Lover of Good  (Titus 1:8)
  20. Holy  (Titus 1:8)
  21. Sound in the Faith   (Titus 1:9) 
  22. Wife Reverent, Not A Gosspier, Temperate, Faithful   (1 Tim 3:11)  — the wife of a man can disqualify him.