Mark Bland

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 Bob Williams

Elders (also called bishop, overseer, pastor) are scripturally responsible for the spiritual oversight of the members of the congregation :

1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.  2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3

Qualities / Qualifications for Elders

Keep in mind that the very terms used of elders in the New Testament say much about them and their role in the church.
Elder: Man of Maturity
Bishop / Overseer I Presbyter: Man of Management or Stewardship
Pastor / Shepherd: Man of Heart
Please read passages such as -

Acts 11:29-30; 14:23; 15:2,6,22-23; 20:17-38; 21:18; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13;

1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17;  Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1-4.
 

Positive Qualities / Qualifications (Based on NKJV)

1. Desire to Serve (1 Timothy 3:1). This has to do with the humble, sincere desire to serve out of love for God, His word and the church. See 1 Peter 5:2.

2. Without reproach or blameless (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6-7). This means, “of good report, not open to serious censure, unimpeachable.” See also 1 Timothy 5:7; 6:13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8. No charge can be made that the individual is not morally fit — it relates to integrity of character.

3. Husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6). Is he a “one woman man?” Is he a loving and devoted husband? Does he have a great marriage? 1 Timothy 3:5 gives the “why” of this. See 1 Timothy 5:9, where a similar expression is used of widows.

4. Temperate (1 Timothy 3:2). This concerns alertness, self-control and vigilance (see 1 Peter 4:7, 5:8 where the word is used of all Christians). This individual is to be “on top of things.”
5. Sober-minded (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). This means “of sound mind, curbing one’s desires and impulses.” He exercises mature judgment, is not wishy-washy or fickle, and is not unstable (see Titus 2:2, 5).

6. Of good behavior or orderly (1 Timothy 3:2). The word has to do with “a well arranged life.” He speaks and behaves with decorum becoming to Christians.

7. Given to hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). “Hospitable, generous to guests, a lover of strangers.” See 1 Peter 4:9, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2. This individual finds pleasure in sharing his home with others.

8. Able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2). He is skillful in teaching others, whether publicly or privately, because he has learned well from the Lord and His word (Luke 6:40; Acts 20:28, 32). See also this expression in 2 Timothy 2:24.

9. Holding to the faithful word and able to convict gainsayers (Titus 1:9). There is such familiarity and skill in the word of God that those who contradict or oppose God’s way are responded to properly.

10. Gentle (1 Timothy 3:3). “Meek, fair, moderate, forbearing.” The KJV has “patient.” See Philippians 4:5; 1 Peter 2:18 and James 3:17 for some occasions when this word is used. Opposite qualities would include being consistently harsh, bitter and unkind.

11. Rules well his own house (1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 1:6). This individual first provides the type of leadership necessary for his home before he can serve as a shepherd in the church of God (see Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:17).

12. Has children in submission (1 Timothy 3:4). There is respect and honor for this man’s leadership and character from his children. For ‘submission,” see 1 Timothy 2:11; Galatians 2:5. For “all reverence,” see 1 Timothy 2:2; Titus 2:7.

13. Has believing children (Titus 1:6). All of his children who are old and mature enough to be Christians are Christians. One simply cannot press that a shepherd MUST have more than one child (see passages like Genesis 46:15; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Luke 14:26). However many children the man may have, he has profoundly influenced their conviction concerning God and His word and their relationship with Him.

14. Good testimony among those outside (1 Timothy 3:7). Those who are NOT Christians ought to believe this individual to be a sincere person of character — devoted to the cause of Christ.

15. Lover of good (Titus 1:8). He truly loves good and what is good. The opposite quality is found in 2 Timothy 3:3. See passages like Matthew 6:19-21; 6:33; Colossians 3:1-4.
16. Just (Titus 1:8). This refers to right conduct and judgment. He is not sinfully partial, prejudiced or unfair. See passages such as 1 John 1:9; John 7:24.

17. Holy (Titus 1:8). He is a pattern or example in the area of holiness (1 Peter 5:1-4). This has to do with being “dedicated to God and undefiled by what stains.” He truly seems to be pure and devout. He not only loves what is good purely—he hates what is evil with a godly hatred.

18. Self-controlled (Titus 1:8). This means “having control over self— one’s desires and appetites do not rule over him.” See Acts 24:24-25; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-11.

Negative Qualities / Qualifications

1. Not given to wine (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7). A couple of thoughts are involved here:

(1) There is no affinity (love for the practice) for the drinking of alcoholic beverages; and, (2) The attitude that often pervades such an affinity — being quarrelsome or abusive, is not an issue with this individual. One cannot be in a position requiring level headedness, patience and wisdom while “under the influence.” See Proverbs 20:1.

2. Not violent (1 Timothy 3:3). He is not a “striker, bruiser, ready to come to blows, pugnacious, contentious, and a lover of fighting.”

3. Not quarrelsome (1 Timothy 3:3). He is not contentious, not fussing and fighting about everything. One can and must contend for the faith (Jude 3), but this can and should be done without being contentious!

4. Not greedy for money (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7). He must not be a “lover of money” (see Luke 16:14 for the same expression). See also Hebrews 13:5, and especially 1 Peter 5:2.

5. Not a novice (1 Timothy 3:6). The expression refers to a new Christian, one “newly planted.” It has to do with one who by immaturity and inexperience is unprepared. The reason “why” is also given in this verse. This does NOT merely have to do with the issue of chronology, but of spirituality, maturity and experience.

6. Not self-willed (Titus 1:7). This man is not dominated by self- interest, inconsiderate of others, while arrogantly asserting his own will and agenda. Consider 3 John 9 for an example of this.

7. Not soon angry (Titus 1:7). He is slow to anger (Proverbs 14:17, 29). He does not “fly off the handle” and is not prone to “blowing off a little steam” on others. See Proverbs 16:32; James 1:19-20; Ephesians 4:26; Colossians 3:8.

8. Not covetous (1 Timothy 3:3). The man of God who would serve as a shepherd must not have an inordinate desire for wealth or things. See Colossians 3:5.