In I. Tim. (3) Not self-willed (Tit. 3:2; Tit. Generally speaking, an elder is to be a model of Christian maturity and the qualities of these passages are marks of maturity which normally characterize the qualified man. 1). The ministry of overseers in the local church is like a coin with two sides and both must be included. Evidently, deacons could be very young Christians (there is no \"not a new convert\" requirement). 3:6). Scholars are divided, however, down the middle on the precise meaning of “appoint” (ceirotonew, “to vote by stretching out the hand”). Qualifications of Elders and Deacons. Does he have a short fuse? The only two local church offices mentioned in the NT are those of Elder (overseer) and Deacon (servant or minister). In a context concerned with having the right goals in ministry, Paul warns Timothy about those men who wanted to be teachers, but who had strayed from the goal of 1 Timothy 1:5-6. The responsibility of the church is to select those men who are models, examples for the flock to follow as we see in Hebrews 13:7 and 1 Peter 5:3. B. rizen1. Because it is a way to stress that these requirements, as marks of maturity, encompass every area of a man’s life. In this regard, there is an important principle that we need to keep in mind. 1:8). (2) Next, these qualifications are marks of identification and confirmation. (2)Able to teach (1 Tim. Today, the church has lost its distinctiveness because, far too often, you can’t tell believers from unbelievers—and I am not talking about manner of dress. The only two local church offices mentioned in the NT are those of Elder (overseer) and Deacon (servant or minister). (2) One who manages his own household well (1 Tim. Deacon is an office of servic e. Together they provide the leadership and ministry that is vital to the health of the local church. As I have sought to demonstrate in the summary of the qualifications of elders and deacons that follows, you will note that these qualities may also be seen from the standpoint of all of a man’s fundamental relationships in life—to God, to His Word, to self, family, others (including the outside world), and things. The position of Bethlehem Baptist Church is that eldership is open to any man in the church who meets the spiritual qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The selection of godly men! Is he able to communicate the Word of God to others? 3. These are goals we will all strive for if we mean business with Jesus Christ. 6. When He sees elected to positions of leadership men who lack spiritual fitness to cooperate with Him, He quietly withdraws and leaves them to implement their own policy according to their own standards, but without His aid. Motion in itself never means direction just as activity in itself never means effectiveness. First Timothy 3:2-7 offers the qualifications specific to elders, stating, … Because of their dynamic personalities or programs? (2) Not fond of sordid gain (1 Tim. List common hindrances in the ordination of elders and deacons that should be avoided. Further, he does not tell us to look for men with dynamic personalities, or who are regarded by people as great pulpiteers or men of oratory, or for men who are successful businessmen. Regardless of his marital status, it requires that the man be without immoral relationships or attitudes. “It is a fine work he desires to do.” Underline the word work. After clicking 'Register', you will receive an email with a link to verify your account and to complete your registration. It generally refers to a person with some very self-centered, hidden agendas. They do not seem to need as much scriptural knowledge as the elders. In keeping with these thoughts, especially the concept that these qualities are targets we should all set our sights on, let’s look at 1 Timothy 3:1 and the phrase, “aspire to the office of overseer.”. He does not destroy his credibility by words that are contradictory. The inevitable issue is an unspiritual administration.3. C. Overview of the qualifications 1. Is he involved in dishonest business practices? For a beautiful commentary on this study read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20. There are to be no areas of the life where the Lord is not allowed to invade and take charge. Acts 6:6; 1 Tim. (1) It is an ambition that has been cleansed of self-seeking, one that seeks only the glory of God and the well being of others. In summary, an elder must be above reproach, including in his marital status. (1 Timothy 3:8-13, NASB) Specific qualifications for deacons Qualifications for elders are in both epistles, and qualifications for deacons are listed in 1 Timothy. The basic idea of this word is orderly. 8. Acts 20:28 clearly teaches that it is really God who makes or appoints and qualifies men for ministry by maturing them, by gifting them, and by giving them a burden for such a ministry. Is he able to handle those who disagree with him in a patient and gentle manner? This is not saying a man must be married to be an elder. Col. 1:28), still, no matter how mature or how godly one becomes, none of us even comes close to perfection. Is he stable in the faith, sound in doctrine and practice? Wors… The Biblical qualifications of deacons are listed in 1 Timothy 3, just after the passage we quoted above about the qualifications for elders: “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 (NKJV) 1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. What then is the focus? Both elders (also called pastors or bishops) and deacons are noted as official leaders of local churches in the New Testament. Those who minister to the local church, whether as leaders (elders) or as servants (deacons), must be those who allow Jesus to take lordship over every aspect of their lives. . Because if we are truly maturing in Christ, we should be learning to seek our security, significance, and satisfaction from the Lord rather than from people, position, power, and praise, etc. I. Question: "What are the qualifications of elders and deacons?" (2) Acts 14:23 is another passage dealing with the appointment of elders. The position of Bethlehem Baptist Church is that eldership is open to any man in the church who meets the spiritual qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. was a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years. These are concepts that are pertinent to the passages in view because they have their roots in the New Testament as a whole and bear directly on what the Bible says about leadership. He may strongly disagree, but he will state his case without being contentious. Related Topics: Administrative and Organization, Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership, J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. This view shifts the emphasis away from an event that took place in a man’s life before his conversion and properly concentrates on the character and quality of his life at the time of his consideration for this high office.4. 3:12-15; cf. The same teaching regarding a "one-woman man" is found in 1 Timothy 3:12, as are many of the other qualifications mentioned regarding elders/pastors in verses 1-7. 2. Since all believers should grow and mature in the Lord, these qualifications should be the goal of every believer, not just elders and deacons. Good character and reputation This is why evaluation according to the criteria of these passages is so important. 3:3; Tit. h) 1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:6 9. (1) They are goals and they provide us with a target, something we should all set our sights on. Concerning elders and their qualifications, two specific functions are mentioned within this list of qualifications, (1) teaching (1 Tim. 1:8). 1 Pet. Instead, the key is in his emotional, mental, and spiritual maturity. This is evident from the fact that they are always mentioned after the elders, and also because the requirements for deacons are slightly less strict than for elders. Deacons are mentioned in Philippians 1:1, as Paul writes to the elders and deacons of that church. How? 3:10-14; Ps. Like the qualifications for elders, a deacon must not be an addict (v. 3,), not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 3), blameless (v. 2; Titus 1:6), the husband of one wife (v. 2), and an able manager of his children and household (vv. The body of Christ needs men who are first and foremost men of God. These may be completed as part of a theological degree or in addition to a master’s degree and/or professional certification in specialized ministry. ), (2) Good managers of their children and their own households (1 Tim. An important question that needs to be asked and answered pertains to the exact nature of these qualifications. How far removed this is from our day and age and from, unfortunately, the thinking of the average believer or church goer. He speaks the truth, is honest. But you know what we do? B. Discuss in greater depth how we develop the kind of godly character required. 2:8). A further support for this position is the similar qualification placed on widows to be enrolled in the list of widows who could receive support in 1 Timothy 5:9. Deacons are assigned care for Life Groups and leadership support. 3:2–7 apply to both minis-ters of the Word and the other elders who shepherd the flock under their care. Additional personal qualifications cover a number of character issues. He aims to put more into life than he takes out of it.”1, The greatest need is not for leaders, but for saints and servants. When most people think of a church leader, they think of such things as pulpit ability, a dynamic and glowing personality, or of someone who looks good in a blue suit and is a leader in the community. So according to the New Testament, leadership is to be an emergent leadership, a leadership that emerges as a product of God’s work within the flock of God’s people. C. Qualifications. Prudent/sensible implies that he must be sober, sensible, wise… Is he Spirit-controlled and disciplined rather than self-indulgent? What’s the difference between the two terms? We can immediately eliminate many men from the list of candidates. All deacons and elders are required to complete the Basic Graduate Theological Studies in the Christian Faith, a minimum of 27 semester hours. Paul’s statement about aspiring to the office of overseer may sound strange to many. If we must choose between giftedness and godliness, let us choose godliness. (1) Men of dignity (1 Tim. However, no such functions are mentioned in the qualifications of the deacons and this seems to be significant. (3) Finally, as marks of identification and confirmation, they also make the possessors of these qualities examples, patterns to follow. Qualifications for Deacons. They demonstrate the reality of Christ in our lives which enables us to be influential in the right way. They are mentioned here alongside the elders in 1 Timothy 3. Paul admonished the Ephesian elders to guard carefully their sacred responsibilities very carefully. Yet, with these common, average, uneducated men, the Lord launched a campaign that has reached the world and turned it upside down. 5:9) also precludes a second marriage and thus excludes from aid in their later years the younger women who followed Paul’s counsel for remarriage.5. “Hey prof., I have a problem.” Hendricks, “Yea, What’s your problem?” Student, “Why did the Lord choose Judas?” Hendricks, “Ah, that’s no problem. 14:13-21)? "Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. (I Tim. (6) Uncontentious (1 Tim. In his relationships with others, is he able to make just decisions, those that are wise, fair, impartial, objective, and honest according to the principles of Scripture? Before a man is asked to serve as a deacon, he is to be observed over a period of time to see if he is qualified for that ministry. Literally, a one-woman man. The purpose of maturity is not to make us more comfortable and secure, or land us with a position in the church. In other words, the qualifications listed in 1 Tim. Hampton wrote many articles for the Biblical Studies Foundation and on... More, 4. The usual translation is "older men" and "older women," but the Greek word is the same one used for elders elsewhere. This is why finding men who meet the qualifications is so much more important than selecting a certain number to meet a quota even though that number of qualified men are not ready or prepared by the Spirit of God. Deacon is an office of servic e. Together they provide the leadership and ministry that is vital to the health of the local church. 3:2). They make hospital visits to members who are sick or injured. We believe that the office of deacon is open to any man or woman who meets the spiritual qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Is he able to use the Word of God to exhort people with sound doctrine and to refute those who are antagonistic to the faith or the truth of Scripture? Both sides are important and neither should be neglected, but the side of the coin God has turned up for us to see, the side needed the most by the emphasis of these qualification passages, is the side I am calling spiritual maturity for no matter how gifted a man is, if he is spiritually immature, he will be a poor leader and the church will be in trouble. 5:2, “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily according to the will of God”)? Is he free from any form of substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, etc.) In August of 2001 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and on August 29th, 2002 he went home to be with the Lord. There must be no sexual promiscuity or laxity with other women. This certainly fits the context which warns against choosing a “new convert” (1 Tim. “In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. He cannot serve God and mammon or self-seeking goals. It is the responsibility of the church to recognize the emergence of those men whom the Holy Spirit has prepared and appointed by the qualities of their lives from the standpoint of (a) their character, (b) their giftedness, and (c) their burden and concern for the body of Christ. It will very ease you to look guide deacons and elders training manual as you such as. He is not a hypocrite who says one thing to one person and something contradictory to another. 2:12) and deacons (both male and female) are given ( 1 Tim 3:1–7 and 8–12, respectively). God’s emphasis in this passage is not on giftedness, or on dynamic personalities because such things in themselves never qualify a man for leadership in the church. Since God is the one who appoints men to the ministry of elders (and this would apply to deacons also), what exactly is the responsibility of the church? elders and deacons? (2) They are the marks of leadership, marks which demonstrate a man’s capacity to leads others in the Christian life. Why do I call this to your attention? (1 Tim. His lifestyle is such that no one can legitimately accuse him of conduct which is unbefitting a mature believer. also 1 Tim. First, notice that Paul does not use the term elder in this passage, and that is significant. Is he respected by others because his life adorns the Word of God? The qualifications for Elders and Deacons are listed by the apostle Paul in 1 Tim.3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9. [For a more complete Phil. a. It links the deacons with the bishops in v. 8 and then links them to women in v. 11. The example of the family is used to describe the work of elders. From the qualifications, we can infer that deacons will generally be handling church money, managing church systems, meeting mercy needs, and interacting with some of the most intimate details of people’s lives. Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons. But what exactly does this mean? Instead, God is telling us in no uncertain terms that the key to a man’s success in leading the church is not his skills, methods, personality, nor even his gifts. b. He has shown himself to be a man who is just, BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR ELDERS & DEACONS HARBOR CHURCHES THE OFFICE OF ELDER not preoccupied with amassing material possessions An elder is one who “shepherds the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:1-4), exercises oversight, leads (Hebrew 13:7), has charge over the church (1Thess-alonians 5:12), and one who will give an account to God for the members of the church (Hebrews 13:17). Some emphasize its literal meaning while others its derived meaning. (1) If a man aspires to the office of overseer (1 Tim. However, they were still to be \"tested\" to ascertain that their character and service were genuine and consistent. The qualifications for elders are listed in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Thus even a single man or a man who has been married only once must demonstrate that he is not a “playboy” or flirtatious, but that he is stable and mature in character toward his wife or other females. See Addendum. In other words, the qualifications listed in 1 Tim. Does the Bible talk about church government? In other words, what God has called you to do, He has gifted you to do, and what He has gifted you to do, He has called you to do (1 Pet. (1) A husband of one wife (Literally, a one-woman man) (1 Tim. With all this in mind, let’s note two things about 1 Tim. 3:2), and (2) management or leadership with personal care of the church (1 Tim. Is he able to set aside his own preferences in order to promote unity and care for the needs of others? 1 Timothy 3:1-16 ESV / 48 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. He is one who takes his life and work seriously as a part of his devotion to the Lord. John 15:16; 1 Cor. The qualifications for both offices are almost exclusively relate to a man’s character with the exception being that elders must be able to teach. (2) However, it teaches us that being above reproach in relation to these qualities means that a man’s life-style is such that, generally speaking, no one can legitimately accuse him of conduct which is unbefitting a mature believer. Biblical qualifications for the appointment of the deacon are specified in Acts 6:3 as "men of honest report, full of The Holy Ghost and wisdom." of the local church and their elders. . . Furthermore, the focus of the qualifications is the moral … Some things that hinder the appointment of elders 1. Its purpose is to make us more like the Lord Jesus and effective as His representatives in a lost and dying world. 3:8-13). Deacon Qualifications from Acts. The church needs men who want to serve the body for the glory of God and the blessing of others. Concerning this Saucy makes an important point: The Scriptures nowhere forbid or even suggest as morally questionable remarriage after the death of a spouse. An Elder must evidence the qualifications prescribed for that office in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 as well as the qualifications for Deacons listed in Article IV, Section 7.B.3. In other words, there are (a) communication skills and abilities, and (b) shepherding, leading skills and abilities. 3:2; Tit. The personal qualifications demand high moral character. As an emergent leadership, men are not simply elected or appointed by men, but recognized by the qualities of these passages in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. On any board of elders, some will be more skilled and gifted in one area and others in another. Elders must be selected and appointed in every congregation for it to reach the potential to please Christ and accomplish His mission upon earth. This is an important question because it involves motivating the flock to understand and act on key biblical concepts which lead to the flock’s ability to do two things: (a) select the right men, and (b) respect and respond to the leadership and ministries of those men who are chosen to serve as spiritual leaders of a congregation. Is he emotionally stable and in control of his feelings? The similarities of the qualifications for deacons and elders/overseers in 1 Timothy 3 are striking. The qualifications are found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Church Leadership: Qualifications of Elders & Deacons vv. So, what does this truth and fact mean—the fact that no man is perfect or fully measures up all the time? Howard Hendricks, in his unique style, tells the story of a student who came to him with a problem. (See above under elder qualifications.). Does he truly know the Lord and has he shown definite progress in spiritual maturity? Time is needed so his qualifications can become clearly apparent. Is he seeking his significance, security, and primary satisfaction from material wealth? (3) Holding fast to the faithful word . He is a man totally devoted and faithful to his own wife so that he is not distracted by other women? The Biblical Qualifications For Elders and Deacons : Introduction . 3:8). In essence this should be our aim because as these marks are realized, we will also be accomplishing the other goals God has for our lives (cf. 5:2; 1 Timothy 3:8 in all English translations. The coin principle does not stop here. (1) Not a new convert (1Tim. 4–5). This is why we present the book compilations in this website. (1) Acts 6:1-7 is often used as an example and does provide us with some important insight, but those selected at that time were never given an official title like deacon. 3:4-5; Tit. 3:4-5). Answer: The passages referring to the qualifications for an elder or deacon in the church are 1 Timothy 3:2 “A bishop (elder) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach”; 1 Timothy 3:12 “Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well”; and Titus 1:6-7 “. The occurrence of prohistemi in these passages indicates elders have a measure of authority. Deacons appear to be under the authority of the elders. The 21 Qualifications of Elders 1. In an extended meditation of 1 Timothy 3 &4, he unpacks the biblical terms in easy-to-understand language and develops practical helps for choosing men who are faithful to lead and serve the flock. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, … If the clause means married only once, then it would be the only absolute quality in this list of qualifications. Read full chapter. 5. 3:2). Is he yielding, showing a mellow gentleness, or is he heavy-handed, insisting on the letter of the law? Because of context, some think 1 Timothy 5:22 deals with church discipline, but the only record we have of the laying on of hands in the New Testament and in early church history (before the third century) is associated with the selection and ordination of men for ministry (cf. How to Apply These Lists of Qualifications When the time comes to select men to be elders and deacons, invariably some men and women will look for “loop-holes” in the qualifications of elders and deacons listed in 1… “With a clear conscience” means he seeks to honestly live by the truths of Scripture. Work is the Greek ergon which means “work, deed, action, task, enterprise, undertaking.”. Tested . 1 Timothy 2. I have a bigger problem than that.” Student, “Yea, what’s that?” Hendricks, “Why did the Lord choose you?” And I think he also added, “ Why did the Lord choose me?”. 1:6). . . Is the office of pastor taught in the Bible. The qualifications for deacons are listed in I Timothy 3:8-13. Any one who is appointed as an elder or deacon must meet these requirements.] List common hindrances in the ordination of elders and deacons that should be avoided. The point is that a man needs self-control here as in all areas. Deacons are expected to be available to provide assistance and prayer as needed. Does he demonstrate a definite commitment to know, love, and walk with God? 5:23 ; Titus 1:6-9 ) and deacon ( servant or minister ) foremost men of God 3... Requires that he remains under God ’ s eye to members who are aspiring for position will receive an with! Thessalonians 2:1-20 devoted exclusively to the Lord Jesus Himself is unbefitting a mature believer 1:6... 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