Indentifying a Good Elder Candidate

‘Tis the season for officer nominations at New Life, and with that in mind it seemed appropriate to provide you with some ways you might go about identifying a good elder candidate to nominate. The first step is to read about the qualifications for elders listed in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9 and think of men within the congregation who fit such a description.

In considering the qualifications listed in these passages, note some of the characteristics that are not mentioned as a requirement for holding the office of elder. There is nothing mentioned about personality type: it is not necessary for an elder candidate to exhibit a dynamic, animated, magnetic persona. Of course, there may be times when someone who possesses a dynamic personality may also be qualified to serve as elder, but not for reasons having to do with personality. Rather, Paul’s emphasis is on spiritual traits when writing about the qualifications of an elder. Indeed, there are instances when well-liked, dynamic, and even influential people are not qualified to serve as elder because of a lack of spiritual maturity and biblical discernment.

Note also that Paul says nothing about elders needing to possess a measure of success as defined by worldly standards. Unfortunately, some churches might operate on the mistaken notion that the local church is best served when those who are the most successful, visible leaders within the community are, for that reason, the ones holding leadership positions in the church. It is true that an elder needs to have a good reputation with those outside the church (1 Timothy 3:7), but this has to do with being known as an honest, fair, trustworthy person of integrity rather than as a “successful businessman”.

Of course, one may be successful by worldly standards as well as a recognized leader in the community and also be qualified to serve as an elder. But one may be a capable leader in the business world, well respected as a community contributor, and possess a good deal of wealth and status, and yet not possess the spiritual qualifications to serve the church as an elder. Leadership competence in the ways of the world is not necessarily an indicator of competence to serve as a spiritual leader for Christ’s church in the ways of God in accordance with His Word.

So what is a good elder candidate like? Think of someone who displays a commitment to growing in the grace and knowledge of God and His Word through involvement in Bible study (both personal and in groups), who seems to have a clear understanding of the gospel and a broad understanding of Biblical truth, who demonstrates wisdom by providing counsel that reflects an ability to discern and apply God’s truth to concrete situations, who expresses compassion and a praying spirit for the flock, and who evidences a love for the church by consistently showing initiative in actively serving and ministering.

Of course, every officer and officer candidate is a flawed, sinful human being in need of grace. But officers and officer candidates are those who reflect the reality of God’s transforming grace in their lives and are furnished by God with the spiritual qualifications listed by Paul. In light of this, prayerfully seek out those who consistently display these attributes here at New Life and consider nominating them for officer training.

In His Abounding Grace,

Pastor Brian