Church Elders: Why, Who, What?

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Church Elders:  Why, Who, What?
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Everything rises and falls on leadership
Everyone follows someone   -self, or someone else!
 
A leader always emerges when another leader disappears
-lack of preparation can lead to poor/wrong leaders
 
God has appointed Jesus to lead the church
-Jesus is the Chief Shepherd!
 
God calls out men to lead under Christ’s authority
-1 Peter 5:1-3  Elders, Shepherds, Overseers
-Sometimes called “Under-Shepherds”, under THE Shepherd
 
Local churches are led by Elders/Shepherds/Overseers
 
Why?  The reason for elders
Biblical Reason:  New Testament Pattern
-Titus 1:5  Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in every church
 
Practical Reason:  Someone has to lead!
-Unspiritual leaders may emerge- incompetent, unspiritual, wolves!
 
Who?    1 Timothy 3:1-7 qualifications (see also Titus 1:5-9)
Above Reproach-  overall above average character
Faithful in Marriage- one woman man
-for sure means not married to more than one woman
-could mean not divorced and remarried, a common interpretation
-it does mean everyone agrees he is faithful to marriage!
Self-controlled- temperate, balanced life
Sensible- prudent, wise,
Respectable- the dignity and respect of his peers
Hospitable- loves strangers, isn’t into cliques, associates with all
Able to Teach- skilled at teaching, not necessarily a “preacher”
Not addicted to wine-  not interested in alcohol, self- controlled
Gentle (not a bully)- doesn’t pick fights, isn’t abusive
Not quarrelsome- isn’t looking to beat people in conversation
Not greedy- money is his servant, not vice versa
Manages household well- children, home, possessions, maybe people
   -overseeing a church is similar to overseeing a family
Not a new convert- qualified leaders take time to mature
Good reputation among unbelievers
 
What?  process of appointing elders and practical work of elders
Elders are affirmed by the church
-Elders oversee the selection process
-All church members nominate men they believe are qualified
-Elders conduct ordination interviews
-Church votes to affirm men who were affirmed by the Elders
 
Elders serve as needed by the church
-It is common for elders to serve for a set number of years, then rotate
-Senior Pastor/Elder serves indefinitely
 
Elders oversee all spiritual aspects of the church
-Preach, Protect, Pastoral Care
-Elders at St Joe serve under the authority of the whole congregation
-They DON’T micro-manage nor do all the work
    -everyone is a minister! 
 
What Now?
Pray for and support Elders  Hebrews 13:17
 
Support healthy accountability  1 Timothy 5:19
 
Nominate potentially qualified men  -Give names to elders
 
Consider your own calling! 
-if you are asked by your church to serve
-if you are led by the Holy Spirit to become an Elder




 
Here is the resume of a potential church pastor…
 
Before his conversion to Christ he was complicit in a murder
 
This man had been in prison frequently (Acts 16:37, Acts 24:7).
 
He has started more than one riot in a city (Acts 19:28).
 
He has been in frequent troubles with the local authorities (Acts 24).
 
He has frequent health issues (2 Cor 12:7).
 
He was not accepted and not trusted by most of the Christians early on and many were even afraid of him (Acts 9:26).
 
He was believed to have mental health issues by the local authorities (Acts 26:24).
 
He has been accused as being an insurrectionist by the local leaders (Acts 24:5).
 
He has been accused of being a leader of a cult or sect (Acts 24:5).
 
Everywhere he went, he seemed to cause problem and once he even quoted a world philosopher in trying to witness about Christ (Acts 17:28).
 
He was teaching doctrines that were contrary to the religious leaders of the day (Acts 24:5).
 
Would a man like this be affirmed by our local church??
 
This was the resume of the Apostle Paul!

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