God’s Standards for Elders, Part 3 - The Work 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: and Part 2 Here
Craft is not devoid of character. Who we are will determine how we work. And this is especially clear in pastoral ministry. All of the previous blog posts have led to this, how a pastor is to work as a pastor. If you’re on a search committee, there’s no better job description than the following verses.
Not a Lover of Money but A Faithful Steward
The first two connected qualifications have to do with how one views and handles the resources God has given them (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7 and Titus 1:7 and1 Tim 3:7). This does not mean that someone who is wealthy cannot be an elder, nor does it mean that one must be wealthy to be an elder. They must handle what God has given them faithfully. In the parable of the talents (Matt 24:14-30), one man has a massive return on the five talents he was entrusted with. The man given two talents doubled his treasure as well. But the last man who was given one talent squandered it, had no return, and was cast out. The stewardship application here is important, whatever God has bestowed on His people is to be used carefully for His glory.
Money cannot hold the heart of an elder, nor can an elder be a terrible steward of that which God has entrusted them (financially or otherwise). Jesus pointed this out during the Sermon on the Mount “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Elders will be responsible for handling the spiritual and financial health of the local church they serve. Therefore they must be able to steward their own resources. Because those who are faithful in little will be faithful in much (Luke 16:10)
This is not only true in the realm of wealth but also in how one manages and leads their family. This is clearly stated in 1 Tim 3:4 and 5 “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?” If a man neglects, undermines, or destroys the spiritual state of his family, he is not fit to lead in the church. The standards for being a father and husband are heavy. The Word states that married men must love their wives as Christ loves the church in sacrifice and care (Eph 5:25-33). And that they must not discourage their children but “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). A man cannot shepherd the church if his own sheep are heading off a cliff.
Mature in the Faith and Well Thought of by Outsiders
In 1 Timothy 3 there are two qualifications that Paul holds together: First “he must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” and Second “he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” A new convert is not in a safe position to be put into spiritual leadership. One, they haven’t been tested and lived as a believer long enough to measure the fruit in their own life. And two, putting them in a position of spiritual authority, as Paul states, can lead to pride, and pride has devastating effects on the church (1 Tim 6:3-5). Even the most gifted layman in the church needs time to grow in holiness and leadership before they take on the role of elder. There is a reason why young men must do internships at a seminary and Presbytery prior to ordination. Knowledge, skills, abilities, and grades are not valid metrics to gauge one’s ability to pastor (Satan would ace seminary, after all). But how they minister in the face of opposition and hardship absolutely does.
In connection with this, they must be seen as respectable by those who are outside of the church. Now, this doesn’t mean they have to bend to culture, in fact, that is disqualifying in and of itself (Romans 12:2). Paul’s point here is that if someone is considered to be a business cheater, lazy, difficult, wrathful, or flat out a bad person by the world, then they should not be made an elder. God’s standards for human morality are written on the heart (Rom 1:18-20) and people outside of the church can tell when someone is not of quality character. The church has higher standards for leadership, and if people in the world view someone as unqualified based on character, the church has no business installing them in leadership.
Loves Goodness, Justice, and Holiness
Finally, in Titus 1:8 there are three connected qualifications for elders; they must love good, justice, and pursue holiness. These three attributes cannot exist without the others. One who pursues holiness cannot hate justice and do what is wicked, and vice versa. The personal character of the minister will be directly seen in how they pursue righteousness. Ministry is not a field in which one can “fake it till you make it.” Because you won’t make it, and you can’t fake it. A man called to eldership will be one who loves doing good. They should take Romans 12:10 as a challenge “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
A pastor who loves the Lord will love biblical justice and desires that people in the church are treated fairly and cared for, just as the Apostles did when they instituted the diaconate for the sake of the neglected widows (Acts 6:1-7). And they don’t do these things for praise, but because they are called to and because they desire the pursuit of holiness. A quote that is often attributed to Robert Murray M'Cheyne and quite applicable to elders is “The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness.” And that because elders need to model 1 Peter 1:14-16 for their people “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘you shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Conclusion
God has high standards for those who are called to serve as elders because He loves His people and cares for their spiritual well-being. And oftentimes, people don’t know the type of man they need to shepherd them. We don’t need visionary leaders, we don’t need rhetoricians that male Cicero look like an amateur, and we don’t need men with a vast following. We need the type of men whom God rejoices about because of the state of their hearts. God does not look to the outward appearance of those He has called to lead the church, and neither should we. What type of pastor do you truly want? One after your own desires, or one who, by the grace of God, embodies the qualifications laid out in Scripture? They may not be flashy or exciting, but they are the standards God Himself has set for His ministers. Don’t try to reinvent the pastoral wheel, trust God’s process and standards.
Matthew 6:19-21.
1 Timothy 3:6
1 Timothy 3:7