Elder Qualification

At Grace the Senior Pastor is responsible for the direction and supervision of the pastoral and office staff, but remains accountable to the Board of Elders and the congregation. Our selection process for elder is governed by the clear biblical qualifications described in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 and are listed below.

  • Blameless (above reproach) as a steward of God;  I Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6-9
  • Husband of one wife (a one-woman man); I Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6
  • Temperate (sober, vigilant); I Timothy 3:2
  • Sober-minded (prudent);  I Timothy 3:2
  • Of good behavior (orderly, respectable); I Timothy 3:2
  • Given to hospitality; I Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8
  • Apt to teach (able to teach); I Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:9 (able to exhort believers and refute false teaching if necessary)
  • Not given to wine; I Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7
  • Not violent (not pugnacious); I Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7Patient (moderate, forbearing, gentle); I Timothy 3:3
  • Not a brawler (uncontentious); I Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7 (not soon angry or quick tempered)
  • Not covetous (not a lover of money); I Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7 (not greedy of base gain)
  • Rules well his own house; I Timothy 3:4, Titus 1:6 (his children are faithful, not accused of rebellion to God)
  • Not a novice (not a new convert); I Timothy 3:6
  • Has a good report or reputation with outsiders; I Timothy 3:7
  • Not self-willed; Titus 1:7
  • A lover of good; Titus 1:8
  • Just (fair); Titus 1:8
  • Holy (devout); Titus 1:8
  • Self-controlled; Titus 1:8

In addition to the above qualifications, each member of the Board of Elders must be an active member of this church.