Person being nominated: __________________________________________________________

I have personally discussed these qualifications with the nominee above and he has agreed to be considered as a potential elder of this congregation: ____________________________________

(Your signature) (Unsigned nomination forms will not be considered)

Date: ________________________________

All the qualifications except three can be thought of as characteristics of all Christians. The three exceptions are “husband of one wife,” “having children who believe,” and “not a new convert.” These sample Scriptures pertain to all Christians: Phil. 2:15; 2 Pet. 1:6; Rom. 12:3, 11, 13; 1 Pet. 3:15; Rom. 14:21; Jas. 1:19, 20; Heb. 13:5; Tit. 3:2; Eph. 5:22, 23; Tit. 2:7, 8; Phil. 2: 3, 4; Eph. 4:26; 1 Jn. 2:15, 16; Col. 1:22; 1 Pet. 1:6; 1 Tim. 1:3; Tit. 2:2, 5.

 All About Elders

(1 Timothy 3:1-13 NKJV) 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. {8} Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, {9} holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. {10} But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. {11} Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. {12} Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. {13} For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

(Titus 1:5-9 NKJV) {5} For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you; {6} if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. {7} For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, {8} but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, {9} holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

(1 Peter 5:1-5 NIV) To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: {2} Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; {3} not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. {4} And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. {5} Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

The Person of the Teachers

What are the responsibilities of the overseer? They are to rule (1 Tim. 5:17), to 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).

What is an elder?

The New Testament gives a fuller picture of the elder and his work than most people realize.

1. An older man. The Greek word presbyteros gives us the English derivatives “presbyter” and “presbytery” (I Timothy 4:14). He is a man of maturity, looked up to for his experience, wisdom and leadership ability.

2. An overseer. Our English word “bishop” is derived from episkopos, which means overseer (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5,7).

3. A shepherd of God’s flock. (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-4). “Pastors” in Ephesians 4: 11 is used to translate the poimen, which everywhere else is translate shepherd.

4. A steward manager of God’s business (Titus 1:7). This passage does not say that he is to be blameless in living; but he is to be a man with nothing laid to his charge, because he is God’s manager of the household of God on earth.

5. A teacher. (I Timothy 3:2; 5:17; Ephesians 4:11-16; Titus 1:9-11).

6. A superintendent caretaker, one presiding or taking the lead (I Timothy 3:5; 5:17; I Thessalonians 5:12). In these passages prohistemi is sometimes translated “rule” or “are over you”; but it means to stand before, lead, attend to. Jesus told the apostles they must not exercise authority as rulers do (Matthew 20:25-27). Peter taught the elders they must not be lords over the flock (I Peter 5:1-4).

7. A leader. In Hebrews 13:7,17,24 some versions say “them that have the rule over you”; but it is a form of hegeomai and is better translated “your leaders” in at least forty distinct versions. The four best English versions made before the King James Version all said: “them that have the oversight.” The point is this: there is no Bible passage which clearly makes elders rulers of the church! They have responsibility to lead, teach, oversee, help, serve and show the way; but they have no authority to coerce anyone.

Elders have responsibility for every kind of action and program by which all the members are built up in the faith, matured spiritually, completely filled with Christ, and: used in the service of the Lord. The key word is responsibility: a. Responsibility for instruction of all in divine truth; b. responsibility for protection from being led astray; c. responsibility for correction of ideas and actions which are contrary to Christ’s rule in each of us; d. responsibility for direction of every member in a life that works to contribute to the growth and good of all the rest.

The responsibility of the elders is not to do what the people want, but to serve and lead the people in the will of Christ, even if they are resisted or persecuted for it.

Elders are not merely board members like directors of a corporation, meeting to hear reports and make decisions for others to carry out. They are much more than of officer figures to stand at worship stations for part of the Sunday ceremonies.

Elders are not bosses, but servants of servants in a serving brotherhood of love. They do not make rules for the church. Christ had done that. In their responsible work they do make decision-making, and it cannot be completed in board meetings. Members are indeed taught to obey (peithomai, be persuaded, trust, rely upon) them, and to submit (hupeiko, yield) to them (Hebrews 13: 17); but these are milder verbs than ones used in teaching Christians to serve (douleuo, be a slave) and be subject to and in reverence for Christ. Summary: elders are men of faith, understanding, commitment, exemplary life and character, experience, teaching ability, and loving concern for every member. They are leaders, whether elected or not, and not made such by being appointed an elder.

WHAT SHOULD ELDERS DO?

1. Acts 11: 19-30. Elders may handle money for the church and oversee benevolence. Didn’t Barnabas know about Acts 6:1-6? .

2. Acts 15:2, 4, 5, 22, 23; 16:4. Elders are obligated to help settle doctrinal disputes. Their most constant responsibility is to find out what God has revealed and to teach it.

3. Acts 20:28. Elders shepherd all the members of God’s flock. They are overseers of the church by God’s appointment.

4. Acts. 20:29-32. Elders protect Christ’s church from false teachers, whether members or outsiders. They use God’s Word for this, and with it build up the members. Elders feed, lead, and guard every member of the household of faith.

5. Acts 20:13-35. Elders work to meet the needs of each Christian and “help the weak” even at their own expense and when it involves hard work, after Paul’s example (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:3-12; 2 Corinthians 11:28, 29; 12:14-18).

6: Acts 21:17-24. Elders lead in planning strategy and over-coming obstacles. They give advice to all, even to an apostle.

7. Ephesians 4:11-16. Elders use the Word of God to develop all the members to maturity, understanding of Christ, unity of faith, and ability of each one to do his or her part m ~e body of Christ. They promote effective use of each member. What a big job! Memorize this description; repeat it often.

8. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 13. Elders work among the believers, lead, attend to, counsel and admonish all of them.

9. Galatians 6:1-3. Elders surely are among those “who are spiritual” and who restore gently any who fall into sin, responsibility for INSTRUCTION of all in divine truth.

10. 1 Timothy 3:2.4. Elders are expected to teach. At home too.

11. 1 Timothy 3:5. Elders take care of the church.

12. I Timothy 5:17. Elders lead and maintain the church, especially by laboring in the word and teaching.

13. Titus 1:7. They are God’s stewards, managers of God’s affairs, superintendents of His business. They do not do all the work of the church, but they lead, assist and ‘ oversee it all.

14. Titus 1:9-11. Elders persuade Christians to accept sound doctrine; refute and silence false teachers.

15. Titus 3:10. Elders lead in admonishing the makers of division again and again. They lead the church in refusing the influence of such folk, if they do not change.

16. Hebrews 13:17. Elders watch out for the spiritual welfare and security in Christ each Christian. They lead and teach so that persons obedient to Christ rightly submit to their teaching and care. They do not rule as Christ taught the apostles not to rule (Matthew 20:25-28); they teach and uphold the rule of Christ in every part of every heart.,

17. James 5:14-20. They pray for the sick, including counseling and aiding in confession of sin, restoring sinners.

18. I Peter 5:1-4. Elders do not “run the church” or exercise authority, but they shepherds who set an effective example for all and who lead members in a holy and, mature walk with Christ. They have a reward from the Chief Shepherd.

Their task is difficult and not always welcomed; it is to change people’s minds. But who can do that? We cannot, but the Word of God can — not simply as words undigested — but the Word of God realized as controlling conviction and actualized in real lives, full of hope and love. Acts 20:32.

Yes. Elders have to make decisions and form judgments –just as other Christians do. Theirs have more influence, and may lead and assist in the judging we #11 have to do. They certainly do not make all the decisions and judgments and hand em down as binding on others because of authority. What they really are to do is teach d show the will of Christ.

If elders do their work with real submission to Christ and with enduring love for is people, ‘they will have effective influence — enough to look like authority! They will need authority. When men with the Word of God in their hands and love of Christ eir hearts come to minister God’s truth and grace with humble and gracious perence they are more irresistible than they would be if they used authority.