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Preparing for the Eldership: A Biblical Examination

This study explores the qualifications and preparation for becoming an elder in the church, emphasizing the importance of being a mature disciple of the Lord, having a family, and meeting character-based requirements. It raises the question of why some churches lack elders and encourages individuals to start their journey towards eldership by being faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

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Preparing for the Eldership: A Biblical Examination

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  1. ASPIRING TO THE ASPIRING TO THE ASPIRING TO THE SHEPHERD'S WORK SHEPHERD'S WORK SHEPHERD'S WORK A Biblical Examination Of How One Might Prepare Himself For The Eldership

  2. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord • They are people “out of this world” Jn 3:3-5, 8 • They have left everything behind for the sake of the heavenly kingdom Mt 16:24-25 • They must be like Paul Phil 3:7-8, 13-15 • He was not “super” because he was an apostle who had seen the resurrected Christ

  3. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord • They are people “out of this world” Jn 3:3-5, 8 • They have left everything behind for the sake of the heavenly kingdom Mt 16:24-25 • They must be like Paul Phil 3:7-8, 13-15 • He was “super” because he was a disciple!

  4. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are men • The terms “elder” & “bishop” = masculine 1 Tim 3:1ff Titus 1:6ff • “lf any man…” indicates the gender of the elder • Obviously (and w/o chauvinism), female disciples cannot be bishops cp. 1 Tim 2:12

  5. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men • The term “elder” refers to one who is mature in his age • Yet, his age is not the only consideration…the concern is also about his experience in the kingdom and his spiritual development

  6. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men • An elder cannot be a novice 1 Tim 3:6 • An older man could be a new convert, new in the faith • However, he would not yet be ready to lead others even though he was older in years

  7. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men • An elder needs to possess the qualities of a “grown up child of God” cp. 1 Cor 3:1-3 • This is required of all disciples, but is especially true of the bishop

  8. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men withfamilies • It is not remarkable for a man to be married cp. Gen 2:18 • It is not uncommon for a married man to be a father cp. Psa 127:3

  9. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men withfamilies • What is under consideration is the type of family man he is • A man’s family life has been the “proving ground” wherein he has demonstrated his aptitude to serve as an overseer

  10. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men withfamilies • A man’s family life has been the “proving ground” wherein he has demonstrated his aptitude to serve as an overseer • The submission of his wife 1 Tim 3:11 Eph 5 • He has earned his wife’s respect 1 Pet 3:5-6

  11. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men withfamilies • A man’s family life has been the “proving ground” wherein he has demonstrated his aptitude to serve as an overseer • The obedience of his children 1 Tim 3:4-5 Eph 6 • Not in “terrorizing them into compliance”

  12. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men withfamilies • A man’s family life has been the “proving ground” wherein he has demonstrated his aptitude to serve as an overseer • The salvation of his children Titus 1:6 • Is he able to lead others to the Lord?

  13. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men with families who also meet other character-based requirements or qualifications • Issues we will examine more in-depth in our coming studies

  14. Where Do Elders Come From? • So, in retrospect, it is not a “challenge” or “remarkable” for us to find… • …disciples Mt 28:18 • …disciples who are men Acts 4:4 5:14 • …disciples who are mature Eph 4:14-16 • …disciples with families Acts 10, 16

  15. Where Do Elders Come From? • Back to our original question…why do so many local churches not have elders? • Could it be these same churches do not have enough godly disciples? • We’re not trying to pass judgment on others • Perhaps that is where the “scarcity” really is

  16. Where Do Elders Come From? • At this moment, this local church is only 5 heartbeats away from being w/o overseers • Our elders are only mortal men, taking their place for the “need of the moment” • That is the real reason for these studies… someone must be ready to take their place

  17. Where Do Elders Come From? • At this moment, this local church is only 5 heartbeats away from being w/o overseers • Such noble work won’t be accomplished by a last-minute decision, “I think I’ll be an elder” • Preparation must be made for such duties… preparation that begins with you NOW

  18. Where Do Elders Come From? • If you want to be an elder,… • …start by being a faithful, committed disciple of Jesus Christ cp. 1 Pet 1:13-16 • …prepare yourself and then desire to serve as an overseer of one of God’s local flocks, either here at Eastside or somewhere else as Divine providence might lead you

  19. The Prospective Shepherd • Having established where we find such a man, we now must examine him personally • Areas where Divine revelation provides information that addresses who he should be • His characterÙ does he possess the “moral fiber” necessary to serve?

  20. The Prospective Shepherd • Having established where we find such a man, we now must examine him personally • Areas where Divine revelation provides information that addresses who he should be • His familyÙ do his domestic successes or failures either qualify or disqualify him?

  21. The Prospective Shepherd • Having established where we find such a man, we now must examine him personally • Areas where Divine revelation provides information that addresses who he should be • His workÙ will he be able to do such a work?

  22. Character The Prospective Shepherd • If men are going to be the people of God, character is an issue • God is a moral, spiritual Being Jn 4:24 • Man is also moral, spiritual Gen 2:7 Eccl 3:11 12:7 • Character is especially important re: those who would lead His people cp. Ex 18:21

  23. Character The first to be examined cp. Acts 20:28 2 Cor 13:5 The Prospective Shepherd • Two areas where the Biblical qualifications address the shepherd & his character: • How he presents himself • How he interacts with others

  24. Character The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd and himself • Not greedy for money 1 Tim 3:3 Titus 1:7 • Other translations say “Not fond of sordid gain” or “Free from the love of money” or “Not given (fond) of filthy lucre” or “Not a money lover” or “Not greedy for shameful gain”

  25. Character The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd and himself • Not greedy for money 1 Tim 3:3 Titus 1:7 • The issue is not just affection for money, but really is the way in which money is obtained • No “questionable” way to obtain wealth is allowed

  26. From The Greek “One who is not eager for base gain.” The prohibition is against the dishonorable, disgraceful, or base advantage. Thayer, p. 17

  27. Character The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd and himself • Not greedy for money 1 Tim 3:3 Titus 1:7 • The issue is not just affection for money, but really is the way in which money is obtained • No “questionable” way to obtain wealth is allowed • Not covetous 1 Tim 3:3 • Not loving or no insatiable appetite for money

  28. Character Required of all disciplesCol 3:5 1 Tim 6:9-10, 17-19 Heb 13:5 The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd and himself • Not greedy for money 1 Tim 3:3 Titus 1:7 • Not covetous 1 Tim 3:3

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