Elder Qualifications

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ELDER'S QUALIFICATIONS

Number of Children?
After they leave Home?

1. Look at the qualifications

        A. Elders
                1. I Tim. 3:4 "having his children in subjection"
                2. Titus 1:6 "having faithful children"

        B. Deacons
                1. I Tim. 3:12 "ruling their children ... well"

2. Discussion seems to focus on the number of children

        A. Can one serve or be appointed as an elder with only one child? What if he has two children and one of them dies? What if he has only one child and it dies? What if he adopts a child, does this count?

        B. Observations on the qualifications -
                1. We have made them "impossible" to meet
                2. There are really two qualifications -
                        a. Christian of high moral integrity
                        b. Have leadership ability
                3. We major in minors; minor on the majors!

3. Real issue here is:

        A. Does a man qualify on the basis of his wife's ability to reproduce?

        B. Does a man qualify on the basis of the number of times his wife is able to reproduce?

        C. NOTE: This is the only qualification for which there is an explanation given.
                V. 5 If cannot rule his own house, how can he rule the church of God? Does he manage his money? Does he participate in discipline? Does he train, teach, show patience toward his children?

        D. Many have expected the elder's children to be flawless. Never in trouble. Always behave. Perfect.

        E. Spend more time with the words -
                1. "Subjection"
                2. "Ruling well"
                3. "Faithful"
                4. "Not accused of riot or unruly"

4. Examine the word "children" in the Bible and general usage today. The plural is often used when any number is intended.

        A. In I Timothy:
                1. 5:4 "if any widow have children"
                2. 5:10 "if she have brought up children"
                3. 5:14 "younger women marry, bear children"

        B. In Titus:
                1. 2:4 "to love their children"

        C. In other writings of Paul:
                1. Eph. 6:1 "Children, obey your parents"
                2. Col. 3:21 "Fathers, provoke not your children"
                3. Eph. 6:4 " " " " "
                4. I Thess. 2:11 "exhort, ... as a father does his children"

        D. In the rest of the New Testament:
                1. Matt. 22:23-28; Mark 12:19-21; Luke 20:28-33
                2. Acts 2:39 "promise to you and your children"
                3. Matt. 19:29 "left children to follow me"

        E. In the Old Testament:
                1. Genesis 21:7 "Sarah would have given children suck. For I have boon him a son in his old age."

        F. In common usage today.
                1. "Do you have any children?"
                2. IRS 1040 - List children, age and S.S. number

5. After they leave home, is the elder still responsible?

        A. No more than any other Christian.

        B. Study is needed in Proverbs 22:6.
                1. Deut. 21:18-21
                2. Ezekiel 18:4-9; 10-13; 19-20

        C. "Who Owns Your Child?"

Peer pressure
TV, movies, videos
Music, records, CDs, tapes
Books, magazines
Places they go, friends, dates, activities
Educational system - Humanism
Attitudes of society, community standards
Church, Sunday School teachers, materials
Babysitter, day care, nursery school
College, Armed Forces, job, on their own