What are the qualifications to be an Elder? Paul gives us two lists, one in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and the other in Titus 1:5-9. The lists include: desires the responsibilities, being above reproach, respectable (good reputation with people outside the church), prudent, temperate, has only one wife, Christian children, not accused of rebellious behavior, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not an alcoholic, not quarrrelsome, peaceable, gentle, doesn't earn money immorally, doesn't love money, hospitable, loves what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holds to the teaching of God, has his home under control (with dignity), not a new convert.
This is pretty much all God has chosen to tell us about the qualifications to be an Elder/Shepherd. I wonder if we don't do a disservice to our congregations and our Shepherds by treating this as an exhaustive list. You know what I mean? For instance, we take this checklist and match up the candidate to be a Shepherd, and if he can check off each of the qualifications then he's in.
Does meeting these qualifications mean that he's going to be a good Shepherd? Of course not! So that means there must be more to it. More to it? Yes, like leadership skills - the ability to motivate and train, being blessed with a vision and the ability work as a team and develop a cohesive plan to achieve that vision, and the ability to set meaningful and productive goals. We have too many Shepherds who are not good leaders. Now, each Shepherd doesn't need to have the skills of a CEO. But each congregation must have a majority who have some leadership abilities. And all Shepherds ought to understand this idea enough that they recognize the need for it. Sadly though, too many congregations are led by men who think leadership is just making decisions about how to spend money.
Instead of using these two scriptures as a checklist, try to think of it as a baseline the next time you are installing Shepherds (or evaluating the ones you have now).
Does meeting these qualifications mean that he's going to be a good Shepherd? Of course not! So that means there must be more to it. More to it? Yes, like leadership skills - the ability to motivate and train, being blessed with a vision and the ability work as a team and develop a cohesive plan to achieve that vision, and the ability to set meaningful and productive goals. We have too many Shepherds who are not good leaders. Now, each Shepherd doesn't need to have the skills of a CEO. But each congregation must have a majority who have some leadership abilities. And all Shepherds ought to understand this idea enough that they recognize the need for it. Sadly though, too many congregations are led by men who think leadership is just making decisions about how to spend money.
Instead of using these two scriptures as a checklist, try to think of it as a baseline the next time you are installing Shepherds (or evaluating the ones you have now).
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