God’s Standards for Elders, Part 2: The Character of an Elder
Recently, I wrote an article asking the question “What Kind of Pastor do you Truly Want?” (which can be read here) The summary of it is that we must desire pastors based on God’s standards in Scripture, and not based on personality or brand. In this 3-part series, I will simply walk through the major requirements for elders in 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1. (Part 1 can be found here)
German spies were everywhere. American soldiers, and even Generals, were being stopped and detained by military police, 4 GIs had been mistakenly shot, and General Eisenhower was locked in his office over Christmas. This was the outcome of Operation Greif. This plan took place during the Battle of the Bulge and was the brainchild of the infamous (and slightly insane) Otto Skorzeny. The plan was simple, send SS members behind Allied lines wearing British and American Uniforms, and blow stuff up.
The problem for the Germans, almost all of whom failed and were caught, is that they couldn’t fake being an American for long. Their true nature, when observed and questioned, came out. Simple questions that any American with an inkling of mainstream knowledge of the USA would have gotten right, condemned the spies.
Throughout history, the church has been infiltrated by wolfs in pastoral clothing. This isn’t shocking, and it isn’t a reason to leave or despise the church, Jesus Himself warned His people that this would be the case (Matt 7:15). And while they can cause great harm, wolves can’t hide their character forever. The qualifications discussed in today’s post are the positive character traits required of those seeking the office of elder. And just like Nazi spies, these qualifications expose wolves seeking to devour the Church.
Sober and Self-Controlled
The first two qualifications in the character category are found in both 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1. First, Paul states that one must be sober-minded. This charge is not limited to being a drunkard or consuming mind-altering drugs (although it of course does include that!) it is more holistic. It is a charge that elders must not be under the influence and control of anything that inhibits, impairs, or impedes sound judgment (be it a consumable or philosophy that goes against the Word of God). Peter shows why this sober-mindedness is important for all believers in 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Sober-mindedness is important for elders because they are the frontline guards of the people of God in relation to false teaching, heresy, division, and error. If one is not sober-minded they will not be able to discern false teachings, and the people can be led astray (as Paul warns elders in Acts 20:28-30).
This sober-mindedness is connected to being one of self-control. This is highlighted in Romans 13:13-14 “let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” If one is not self-controlled in what they do behind closed doors, they will not be sober-minded leaders in the church. Elders must be sober-minded and stand for the truth by practicing self-control in their walk with Christ.
Respectable
This qualification is found in 1 Timothy 3:2. Respectable men are admirable men. But in a fallen world where “win at any cost” is commendable, being respectable seems to be a negative leadership trait. After all, don’t the ends justify the means? In short, no. God is not interested in a pragmatic, explosive church model. He simply wants his elders to stand firm on the foundation of the faith and do so in the face of a fallen world (1 Cor 1:18-2:5). Respectable men, therefore, are those who stand firm in their convictions, and do so in a way that does not alienate others. These are the type of men who when you disagree with them on secondary issues or issues of personal opinion still admire them for their godly character and tactful way of speaking to those in the church.
Hospitable
This is found in both 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The Greek word translate as “hospitable” is “philoxenos” which is derived from two other words “Philos” (beloved, dear, friendly) and “Xenos” (stranger). In short, it directly means “loving to strangers.” Elders must open their home and their lives to people both inside and outside of the church. The call of the minister is to fulfill the Great Commission to the glory of God. And that call extends the elder to reach all people, regardless of status, race, gender, or background. In the words of Martin Bucer the “true carers of souls and faithful ministers of Christ are not to miss anyone anywhere out with the word of salvation, but diligently to endeavor to seek out all…” This involves opening up the home and being amongst people. The call to eldership is not a call to seclusion, but to share one's life with people for the sake of the Gospel.
Able to Teach
God does not want celebrity pastors. He is not interested in the number of a preacher’s Instagram or Twitter followers. He does not care about book sales and who an elder in the church has in their contacts. But in our social media-driven culture that is exactly what is expected of someone who leads a ministry (spoken or not). One need not looker further to this expectation than a church job board. Often, many of the postings read more like a CEO position than a humble shepherd.
So we must be careful about this qualification. Paul is not saying that rhetorical ability is the measure of a successful elder. Rather, he is simply stating that to be an elder one must know the principles of the Scriptures, and then share those truths with others in an understandable way. In the words of Sam Emadi “being able to teach means you can communicate sound doctrine in ways that profit the church… The point is, whether in the pulpit, a Sunday School class, a small group, or even in one-on-one discipling, pastors and elders need to be able to use words to clarify, not cloud, the meaning of Scripture.” One must be able to teach for the glory of God and the good of the people.
But, you may be wondering “how is this a character trait?” And that’s a valid question! This is a character trait because one who is saturating themselves with and applying the Word will be able to teach it. And properly teaching the Word of God requires discipline and focus. If someone is actively striving to preach the Word of God, they will have to work hard at it. Not everyone has the same giftedness in teaching, which is fine, but all ministers have the same call to teaching it with professional precision. Lazy, undisciplined men will not be able to do this week after week, while disciplined and focused pastors can and will.
Not Violent or Quarrelsome but Gentle
In both 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, Paul states that an elder must not be a bully. The language used for violence doesn't necessarily mean physical violence (although that would fall under this disqualifying heading) but rather painting a picture of a wrathful, vengeful, vindictive man. Paul gives multiple examples of people like this in 2 Timothy. He points out Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses (2 Tim 3:8) and Phygelus and Hermogenes (2:15) who opposed and abandoned Pual. The hard reality is that men who act like this are to be removed from fellowship, as argued in Titus 3:10-11, “as for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Elders cannot be wrathful individuals, but gentle shepherds (even when they themselves are dealing with wrathful individuals!) Paul lays out what this looks like in 2 Tim 3:23-26:
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Elders must be gentle because Christ Himself is gentle (Matt 11:29). Therefore a qualified elder must aim “to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
Conclusion
Who a pastor is behind closed doors matters more than who they are publically. A pastor’s public ministry is not founded on ability, skills, or even what they do behind the pulpit on Sunday. The foundation of a successful ministry is the work of the Spirit in their lives and their personal walk with the Lord. A rotten life and poor character behind closed doors will wreak havoc in the church sooner or later. Don’t primarily look for a minister based on skill or achievement, but seek a man, by the guidance of the Spirit and in cooperation with other believers, whose character matches the standards of God.
J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: A Commitment to Excellence for Every Believer (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 2007), 63-64.
Martin Bucer, Concerning the True Care of Souls, trans. Peter Beale (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2009), 76.
Sam Emadi, “What ‘Able to Teach’ Means and Doesn't Mean,” 9Marks, accessed December 6, 2022, https://www.9marks.org/article/what-able-to-teach-means-and-doesnt-mean.
Titus 3:2