Portrait of a Church Leader
If any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Portrait of a Church Leader
Introduction
I. The Selection of Elders. Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11
A. Elders were appointed by ________ (in the cases of Paul, Barnabas, and Titus).
B. Elders were ________ to the church, or made Elders, by God and His Spirit.
Desire for Eldership Motivated by the Holy Spirit Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1; 1 Peter 5:2; Titus 1:7.
C. The Necessity for Biblical Qualifications
To ________ the church from unfit men in leadership.
To help improve the elders’ moral and spiritual character.
To help improve the elders’ shepherding skills.
II. The Qualifications God has Revealed 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4.
A. Moral and Spiritual Character Qualifications
A Good Reputation
"Above reproach" 1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6
"Respectable" 1 Tim. 3:2
"Well thought of by outsiders" 1 Tim. 3:7
Family Life: Marital and Sexual Life
"The husband of one wife" 1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6
Family Life: Children 1 Tim. 3:4; Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 3:4-5
"Must manage his own household well" 1 Tim. 3:4
"His children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination" Titus 1:6
Personal Self-Control
"Sober-minded" 1 Tim 3:2
"Self-Controlled" Titus 1:8
"Not greedy for gain" Titus 1:7
"Not quick tempered" Titus 1:7
"Not quarrelsome" 1 Tim. 3:3
"Not a drunkard" 1 Tim. 3:3
"Disciplined" Titus 1:8
Relational Skills with People
"Gentle" 1 Tim. 3:3
"Upright" Titus 1:8
"Not quick tempered" Titus 1:7
"Not quarrelsome" 1 Tim. 3:3
"Not arrogant" Titus 1:7
Hospitable and Loving
“Hospitable” 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8
“A lover of good” Titus 1:8
Personal Integrity
"Above reproach" 1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6
"Being examples to the flock" 1 Peter 5:3
"Not greedy for gain" Titus 1:7
"Upright" Titus 1:8
"Hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” Titus 1:9
"Holy" Titus 1:8
Spiritual Maturity 1 Tim. 3:6
B. Ability Qualifications
Family Management 1 Tim. 3:4; Titus 1:6
Personal life Example 1 Peter 5:3
Biblical Knowledge Titus 1:9;Acts 20:28ff; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9
Communication Skills Titus 1:9; 1 Tim. 3:3; Acts 6:4
