Elders
Jack Smith (256) 539-8788
Frank Stephens (256) 539-1234
Buddy Elders (256) 828-8866
Bill Cantrell (256) 828-6759


THE QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ELDER
1 Timothy 3:1-7
1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
7 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,
8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
9 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.


The Qualifications Listed:
A. Must be a male (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:6)
B. Must desire the work (1 Tim. 3:1)
C. Must be above reproach (blameless) (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)
D. The husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)
E. Have children who believe (Titus 1:6)
F. Be temperate (vigilant) (1 Tim. 3:2)
G. Be self-controlled (Titus 1:8)
H. Be prudent (1 Tim. 3:2)
I. Be respectable (of good behavior) (1 Tim. 3:2)
J. Be hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2)
K. Be able to teach (1 Tim. 3:2)
L. Holding fast to the Word (Titus 1:9)
M. Be able to exhort and refute (Titus 1:9)
N. Must have a good reputation with those outside the church (1 Tim.3:7)
O. Not addicted to wine (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)
P. Manages his household well (1 Tim. 3:4; Titus 1:6)
Q. Free from the love of money (covetous) (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7; 1Pet. 5:2)
R. Gentle (patient) (1 Tim. 3:3)
S. Not pugnacious (1 Tim. 3:3)
T. Not a new convert (novice) (1 Tim. 3:6)
U. Not self-willed (Titus 1:7)
V. Not quick-tempered (not soon angry) (Titus 1:7)
W. Loving what is good (lover of good men) (Titus 1:8)
X. Sensible (sober) (Titus 1:8)
Y. Just (Titus 1:8)
Z. Devout (holy) (Titus 1:8)

The Duties of the Elders:
A. Be on guard for yourselves (Acts 20:28)
B. Be on guard for the flock (Acts 20:28)
C. Be guided by God’s Word (Acts 20:32; Titus 1:9)
D. Be an example to the flock (1 Pet. 5:3)
E. Shepherd the flock (feed) (1 Pet. 5:2; Acts 20:28)
F. Rule and rule well (1 Tim. 5:17)
G. Watch for harmful influences to the flock (Acts 20:29-30)
H. Silence empty talkers (Titus 1:10-11)
I. Assist in deciding differences that arise in the church (Acts 15:6)
J. Give instruction to the church (1 Thess. 5:12)
K. Help the weak (Acts 20:35)
L. Pray for the sick and administer to their needs (James 5:14)
M. Encourage the preaching of the gospel and establishment of new
congregations when needed (Acts 16:4-5)
N. Watch for the souls of the church and give an account (Heb. 13:17)

Duties of the Church toward the Elders:
A. Appreciate the elders (1 Thess. 5:12)
B. Esteem them very highly in love (1 Thess. 5:13)
C. Be submissive to the elders in their leadership of the church (Heb.13:17)
D. Live in peace with them (1 Thess. 5:13)
E. Obey the elders (Heb. 13:17)
F. Do not sharply rebuke an elder; appeal to him as a father (1 Tim.5:1)
G. Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis
of two or three witnesses (1 Tim. 5:19)
H. Remember them and imitate them (Heb. 13:17)
I. Count them worthy of double honor (1 Tim. 5:17-18)
J. Call them when in need (James 5:14)
K. Correct them when they continue to sin (1 Tim. 5:20)
L. Elders are fellow Christians, therefore they are entitled to all of the mutual duties
the Body of Christ fulfills to each other Christian.