The Qualities of Pastors/Elders - Titus 1:5-9

Titus 1:5-9: "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might
straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town,
as I directed you. {6} An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one
wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of
being wild and disobedient. {7} Since an overseer is entrusted with God's
work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not
given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. {8}
Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is
self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. {9} He must hold firmly
to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can
encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."

Charles Hodge tells the story of a friend and a parrot. She enjoyed the
parrot. The parrot was amusing and entertaining. Then the parrot became
proud and difficult. He became a real problem. My friend went to a pet
shop to talk to the owner. Immediately he asked, "Have you raised the
parrot's cage?" She said, "Yes." The cage was much higher. The pet shop
owner observed, "Parrots get proud when elevated."

Hodge’s conclusion, after 40-plus years of preaching: either people are
like parrots or parrots are like people. They get proud when elevated.

Hodge wrote: "You never know how a man will serve as a pastor until he is
ordained! There will be both great surprises and disappointments. Some
have expected too much. Others were with doubt when the brother bloomed
in service. This is why spirit (attitude) is vital. Always go with hearts
over heads. The "qualifications" are actually "qualities." "This is the
kind of man God wants."

Qualities involve profound character. Tragically, most of us can name but
a few qualities. A few qualities are emphasized, others are either
neglected or abandoned. Qualities are given that men can qualify. Critics
usually turn the "qualifications" into "disqualifications .

Many congregations face the most tension and act the most unchristian
when selecting eld-ers. This must be a time of humility, honesty, and
unity.

Qualities involve stewardship. Stewards are accountable and responsible.
They are in the "people business." They must be thoughtful, sensitive,
patient, and kind. Elders cannot be rude, deceptive, secretive, or
contentious.

1 Cor. 13:4-8: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does
not boast, it is not proud. {5} It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. {6} Love does not
delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. {7} It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. {8} Love never fails. But
where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues,
they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."

One MAIN point: elders are spiritual. The qualities are conspicuously
silent about talents, business acumen, and success. Only spiritual men
can handle a spiritual service.
Keep politics, personalities, and power struggles out!

God's elders must not be chosen because they are popular, successful, or
talented. God's elder must not be selected because they are my "buddies."
Forget favorites. Equally, forget non-favorites.

Family.
Qualities demand the usage of thought, sense, and judgment. Paul wants us
to look at how men are at home. How do they treat their wives and
children! Can they successfully build and maintain a family relationship!
Men who are abusive with their wives and domineering with their children
are not pastors. A pastor is a "one woman man." He is faithful and loving
in this context. How is the man at home? How one is at home is how he is.

Apt to teach (but always wanting to learn).
One of the responsibilities of an elder is to be able to both teach God’s
Word and refute false teachers.

Pastors are men still learning and growing. Pastors are men growing on
the job. Pastors are mellowing in Christ.

"Know-it-alls" need not apply! Narrow-minded men flunk out! Elders are
approachable. Men know real elders can be trusted, confided in, and
leaned on. Men cannot lead who have ceased growing."

Given to hospitality.
Hospitality was the law of that day. This involves people. Respect the
needs of people. Pastors are friend-makers. Hospitality, as a command,
involves strangers. Hospitality is a lifestyle toward others.

"Pastors, by nature, must be "people persons." How can a man be an elder
who does not relate with brethren? How can one shepherd who absents
himself from all fellowship! Can a man be a successful shepherd avoiding
his sheep! Even teachers in Bible classes have a fellowship
responsibility. Teaching a Bible class involves far more than a
recitation of facts. Hospitality is humble service to others. Hospitality
is living concern for the needs of others."

Good behavior.
Elders are "good," period! Pastors are men who are easy to deal with.
They pay their debts. They do not take advantage of others. They do not
use "their badge of authority." Pastors are men who are fair.

Not given to power or money.
Elders must not "lord" it over the flock. They are not greedy over filthy
lucre. They have no "hang-ups" over money.

SIZE
The remaining qualities are lumped into "size." Pastors are "big men in
character or size." They are not novices or little men. Some men never
grow. Some men cease growing.

Pastors are men who have grown that are still growing. See the vast
potential in a man and pray and work to fulfill it. Although they were
unpolished, Jesus saw the potential of bigness in men like Peter and
Matthew. Allow men time to grow in the office.

Blameless.
This is not perfection. Pastors are human beings; allow them the right to
be imperfect. The more they try, the more they will fail. The real word
here is integrity! Elders keep building their Christian conscience while
living in integrity. Can he be trusted? With my soul?

Here are some rules of thumb. How can you best evaluate these qualities?
Never consider a man you fear. Sheep do not fear shepherds. Shepherds
will never harm sheep. If a man cannot cooperate and give in, he is to be
feared. Could you bare your soul to this man! This is the issue.

Generous
(Acts 20:35) "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of
hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus
himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'""

Do not make stingy men elders. Acts 20 was preached to elders. It is no
accident that Paul's final point concerned money. Money exposes men as
nothing else. Some are givers and some are takers. Love gives. Christ
gives. Pastors give. Beware of any man wishing to control "the Lord's
money."

Relationships.
The bottom line of Jesus is this: "He treated people right." The logo on
all our church projects is "Treat People Right." Attitude must again be
emphasized! It is not enough to be right! Pastors must lead in
relationships.

The "towel."
Jesus was the man with the towel. The church is a servant church, not a
success church. "I am a servant of the servants of the Servant." Can you
picture this proposed man with a towel down on his feet serving others!
This is the acid test. Is he "big enough to be little"?

Last modified: July 10, 2008