HE HAS AN ASPIRATION TO THE OFFICE (1 Timothy 3:1)

One of the qualifications is that a man should aspire to the office of elder. Someone shouldn’t be an elder unless they desire to serve in the office and yet desiring to do it is not enough there are certain qualifications they need to meet.

HE HAS A GOOD REPUTATION (1 Tim. 3:2, 7; Titus 1:6-7)

The good character of a man must be evident in his words and deeds over time. While every Christian has indwelling sin, an elder cannot be described as a “double-minded man” or a “hypocrite.” To the contrary, he has earned a reputation both inside and outside the church as a man of integrity.

HE IS A FAITHFUL HUSBAND (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)

Scripture describes an elder as a “one-woman man,” indicating faithfulness to his wife. This doesn’t mean that all unmarried men or previously divorced men are necessarily disqualified from the office. Therefore, what is of greatest interest is not the absence of divorce in a man’s past but that his current marital status can be judged “blameless.”

HE IS SOBER-MINDED (1 Timothy 3:2)

He must be able to think clearly, to think Biblically.

HE IS SELF-CONTROLLED (1 Tim. 3:2-3; Titus 1:7-8)

An elder disciplines his body and makes it his slave rather than be enslaved to it. Walking in the Spirit, his appetites are free from addiction, his emotions are controlled, and his speech is free from sinful anger, corrupting talk, gossip, slander, and every other kind of speech that is contrary to building others up.

HE IS RESPECTABLE (1 Timothy 3:2)

He must have the respect of others even before having any sort of position.

HE IS HOSPITABLE (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)

Four times the New Testaments commands hospitality, and an elder should exemplify a hospitable spirit. He must welcome the stranger, care for the broken, and (so far as he is able) express compassion towards all.

HE IS ABLE TO TEACH (1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:9)

Because the ministry of the Word is central to the calling of a pastor/elder he must be able to teach the truths of Scripture in a way that is understood by the church.

The office of elder is, by definition, a teaching office. As such, every elder must be apt to teach “the faith.” He must be able to teach, correct, rebuke, and train others from every part of the Bible. The content of his teaching must be sound in doctrine and unafraid to rebuke error for the sake of his church’s spiritual health.

It’s important to notice that the qualification is not that they are willing to teach or want to teach. They must be able to teach the truths of God’s Word in a way in which people understand.

This doesn’t mean that all elders are required to preach on Sunday morning. But they need to be able to rightly handle the Word of God. Titus 1:9 says,

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

An elder knows Biblical doctrine well enough to be able to explain it clearly to people and well enough to be able to call out false doctrine. They bless the church by teaching sound doctrine and protect the church from false teaching.

While elders don’t have to preach a Sunday morning sermon, they should be involved in some kind of public teaching. It would seem odd for Paul to require elders to be able to teach and then some of them not be involved in any type of teaching ministry.

• They teach by leading the meetings of the church.

• They teach by how they give announcements and read Scripture.

• They teach by how they pray aloud in public.

• They teach as they lead Sunday school class.

• They teach in their one on one conversations.

• They teach in small groups and Bible studies.

Paul says in Ephesians 4 that pastors/elders are gifts to the church and through their ministry of teaching the Word equips the saint for the work of ministry.

HE IS NOT A DRUNKARD (1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7)

While drinking alcohol is not forbidden, drunkenness is. If a man gets drunk he lacks self-control and discipline.

The abuse of any substance would disqualify a man from being an elder.

HE IS NOT VIOLENT, QUARRELSOME, OR QUICK-TEMPERED (1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7)

An elder cannot be easily angered or always ready to fight.

Ministering to people in the midst of their temptations and failures requires incredible patience. He must be gentle. He must be a peacemaker.

HE IS NOT A LOVER OF MONEY (1 Tim. 3:2-3; Titus 1:7-8)

The phrase in the passage does not refer to a man’s financial status but his attitude toward material wealth. He is neither greedy nor covetous; neither a lover nor a pursuer of money. Rather he is content, self-controlled, and sensible, whether he has much or little. 

HE LEADS HIS HOUSEHOLD (1 Tim. 3:4-5; Titus 1:6)

Simply put if an elder cannot lead his home, then he cannot lead the church.

He must sacrificially love his wife as Christ loved the church. And his wife must respectfully submit to his leadership. And his children must be generally respectful and obedient.

Now in Titus 1:6, some translators translate the Greek word, pistos, as believers. Some of our Bibles say “and his children are believers.” But a more accurate translation of that Greek word in this instance would be faithful.

It seems unlikely that the apostle Paul would require something a father cannot control. The Bible teaches that salvation is of the Lord and that those who believe in Jesus believe because God has regenerated their heart to believe.

Even if a father brings up his children in the training and instruction in the Lord there is no guarantee that his children will become Christians.

And so, when considering a potential elder candidate look at their relationship with their wife and also consider how they interact with their children. Are their children submissive and faithful to their father?

Now this does not mean that their children are always a model for others. They are sinners just like us and at times will rebel. This does not disqualify a man from the office of elder. But how they handle their children when they rebel is critical in demonstrating how well they care for their household.

HE IS SPIRITUALLY MATURE (1 Tim. 3:6)

Regardless of how gifted a man may be, an elder’s giftedness does not outpace his spiritual maturity. This is why he cannot be a new convert but a seasoned Christian who is able to resist temptation and has demonstrated steady faithfulness publicly and privately in every part of his life. 

HE IS WELL THOUGHT OF BY OUTSIDERS (1 Timothy 3:7)

He must have a good reputation. Even his reputation outside of the church matters.

HE IS A LOVER OF GOOD (Titus 1:8)

Willingly helping others and seeking their good.

HE IS UPRIGHT (Titus 1:8)

Living by God’s righteous standard according to the Word.

HE IS HOLY (Titus 1:8)

An elder should be devout. He is a person who is devoted to Jesus Christ and His Word. Dedicated to glorifying God regardless of what others think.

HE IS DISCIPLINED (Titus 1:8)

Discipline is needed to fulfill ministry faithfully and effectively. And a disciplined man fights against lust, anger, laziness, and other ungodly things.

HE IS NOT ARROGANT (Titus 1:7)

He must not be prideful and so strong willed that he steamrolls over people.

HE IS DOCTRINALLY SOUND (Titus 1:9)

Related to his ability to teach, an elder must be biblically faithful in his teaching. This necessitates an ability to affirm what is true and to rebuke what is not. An elder must be able to watch his own life and doctrine, as well as the life and doctrine of those under his shepherding care. Practically, we might say that an elder must be able to teach by his church’s confession and live by his church’s covenant.

Section 2 – Elders

The elders shall be comprised of not less than three men who satisfy the qualifications for the office of elder set forth in I Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9. They shall be a member in good standing and affirm the statement of faith. No elder shall hold the office of deacon during his tenure.

Subject to the will of the congregation, the elders shall oversee the ministry and resources of the church. In keeping with the principles set forth in Acts 6:1–6 and I Peter 5:1–4, the elders shall devote their time to prayer, the ministry of the Word (by teaching and encouraging sound doctrine), and shepherding God’s flock.

The church shall recognize men gifted and willing to serve in this calling, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on elections. Following recognition of an elder by vote of the congregation, he shall be publicly installed in his office at a regular worship service or special installation service by the prayer of the whole church and the laying on of hands by the existing elders. These men shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as elders. This recognition shall be reaffirmed by the church triennially.

An elder’s term of office may be terminated by resignation or by dismissal. Any two members with reason to believe that an elder should be dismissed should express such concern to the elders and, if need be, to the congregation. Any such action shall be done in accordance with the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15–17 and I Timothy 5:17–21. Any of the elders may be dismissed by a two-thirds vote of the members at any members’ meeting of the church.

The elders shall take particular responsibility to examine and instruct prospective members, examine and recommend all prospective candidates for offices and positions, oversee the work of the deacons and appointed church agents and committees, conduct worship services, administer the ordinances of baptism and communion, equip the membership for the work of the ministry, encourage sound doctrine and practice, admonish and correct error, oversee the process of church discipline, coordinate and promote the ministries of the church, and mobilize the church for world missions. The elders are further to ensure that all who minister the Word to the congregation, including outside speakers, share our fundamental convictions.

The elders may establish ministry positions or committees to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities. The elders may also propose funding for new paid staff positions. The membership shall approve all candidates to fill the positions of lead and associate pastor. The scope and approval of job descriptions for any staff position shall reside in the hands of those with hiring authority for that position.

The elders shall have primary responsibility for the employment, supervision, and evaluation of staff members. This responsibility may, on a case-by-case basis, be delegated to another staff member.

The elders shall elect a chairman for all elders’ meetings and shall also elect one of their number to serve as moderator of members’ meetings. For purposes of compliance with the nonprofit corporation laws of the State of Illinois, the elders shall elect one of their number to serve as the president of the corporation.

Each year the elders, after consultation with the deacons, shall present to the church an itemized budget. This budget shall be presented for discussion at a regular or specially-called budget meeting and called up for a vote at the following members’ meeting. No money shall be solicited by or on behalf of the church or any of its ministries without the approval of the elders.

The elders will seek, at all times, to work together in unanimous agreement concerning the direction and work of the church. Issues will only be brought to the congregation for consideration when all elders are in agreement.

Section 3 – The Lead Pastor

The lead pastor shall be an elder. He shall perform the duties of an elder described in Section 2, above, and shall be recognized by the church as particularly gifted and called to the full-time ministry of preaching and teaching.

His call shall not be subject to the triennial reaffirmation set out in Article 5, Section 2, for elders. His call shall be defined as per Article 6, Section 3.

He shall be responsible for the church’s public services, including preaching and the administration of the ordinances of baptism and communion; and performing such other duties as usually pertain to that office, or as set forth in the constitution.

In the absence or incapacity of the lead pastor the elders shall assume responsibility for his duties, any of which can be delegated.

Section 4 – Associate Pastors

The church may call additional pastors whose relationship to the lead pastor is that of associate. An associate pastor shall be an elder. He shall perform the duties of an elder described in Section

2, above, and shall be recognized by the church as particularly gifted and called to vocational ministry. His call shall not be subject to the triennial reaffirmation set out in Article 5, Section 2, for elders.

His call shall be defined as per Article 6, Section 4.

He shall assist the lead pastor in the performance of his regular duties and shall perform any other duties as usually pertain to the office of pastor, or as set forth in the constitution, or which may be specifically assigned to him by the congregation.

In the absence or incapacity of the lead pastor for defined periods of time (such as sabbatical or illness), the associate pastor(s) shall assume the responsibility for his duties under the oversight of the elders.

Section 1 – Principles

The process for church elections shall be interpreted and carried out to fulfill the following principles:

Substantial prayer, both individually and corporately, should be an integral part of the election process;

Nominations should proceed with the support of the elders;

All candidates for church office should be treated with the grace, kindness, and honesty appropriate in evaluating fellow members;

The election process shall express that spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration that is appropriate within the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Section 2 – Selection of Officers

The election of officers shall be held at a members’ meeting of the church. Names of nominees to serve as elders, deacons, clerk, or treasurer shall be presented by the elders at a previous members’ meeting and the election shall proceed as directed by the moderator.

The elders should seek recommendations and involvement from the general membership in the nomination process. Any member with reason to believe that a nominated candidate is unqualified for an office should express such concern to the elders. Members intending to speak in opposition to a candidate should express their objection to the elders as far in advance as possible before the relevant church members’ meeting.

The moderator shall declare elected all men receiving a two-thirds majority of all votes cast for the office of elder. For all other offices, the moderator shall declare elected all persons receiving a simple majority of all votes cast; abstentions will not be considered as votes cast.

The persons elected shall assume their respective offices upon election, unless another date has been specifically designated.

Section 3 – Calling of the Lead Pastor

In the calling of any man to this position, the same basic process of calling an elder must be followed. In addition, however, the church must be given adequate opportunity to assess the preaching gifts of any potential lead pastor and, before being asked to express its judgment, must receive assurance from the elders that, having interviewed the man concerned, they are in no doubt as to his wholehearted assent to the Statement of Faith and Membership Covenant. Notice of the nomination of a man to be elected to membership and called as lead pastor (which shall include, if necessary, election to membership of his wife if he is married) must be given at two Sunday morning services following the nomination, prior to the vote at a members’ meeting.

Section 4 – Calling of Associate Pastor

The process of calling an associate pastor shall be the same process as calling the Lead Pastor. See Article 6; Section 3.