What about the elders? Joey Ferrell

What about the elders?

“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”

(Titus 1:5–9)

God chose to have a pattern for leadership in His church. While I know that every congregation of today does not have elders, and that is sad, but also shows that the spiritual immaturity in this world has gained a lot of momentum since the first century. Elders aren't just popping up, they are dedicated men of faith who have done a good job of following God's divine plan for what He wants...not what a preacher wants, a congregation wants, or the man himself that might be considered "elder" material.

There was a big "why" to this charge that Paul gave Titus. I truly wish we had more documentation of how things went for him in Crete and other areas, but take a look at the next few verses and you can see what a major emphasis of the elder's work entails:

“For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”

(Titus 1:10–16)


There were problems in the church. There were those who had come in and tried to overtake the Christians that were there in their midst. Some were deceivers, some sought dishonest gain. One said that "all were liars, evil and lazy referring to their own." Paul said this is true.

I love the statement that he went on to say "to the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled."

He closes this line of thought with the last verse about thos professing to know God....and it says they are disqualified for every good work.

Unfortunately, this was not an isolated issue. There are some of the same situations lining the pews of our own congregations today. Sure, it is a different story, a different time, and a different congregation, but the problem is still possible.

That is why Paul instructed Titus...and Timothy....on how a man should be as an elder of the flock.

Too many times, the "duties" of the eldership seem to be overwhelmingly about the "business" of the church. Now, let's be fair and understand that indeed, this is something that has to be considered. But, what is the overarching reason for "shepherds?" To protect the flock. What a serious and grave responsibility that one has if he were to take on that work if he is qualified and the need is there.

With that said, may God bless all men who are willing and able to serve in that capacity. Those who meet the qualifications of Titus 1 as well as 1 Timothy 3. One caveat to add, however, is that many want to add a "qualification" that isn't really defined as a qualification. Every qualification is parallel in 1 Timothy and Titus, so that would mean that other words in either that are there cannot be a "blanket" qualification as that would have Titus appointing elders that Timothy did not find qualified and vice-versa.

What is that mysterious "qualification?"

Well, think about the way that Paul addresses Timothy in his charge to him...

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;”

(1 Timothy 3:1–2)

Notice the very first line "If a man desires the position of bishop, he desires a good work." Desire....not "must be". There are things that can hinder a man's desire. Expedience. Fear. Personal reflections on the following actual "must be's" that follow.

A man should not serve if he does not have the desire as he will not be the best that he can. But, at the same time, that does not "disqualify" the man any more than this scenario:

A man wants to run a marathon. He trains. He conditions himself. He registers. The competition committee says that he is eligible to run in the marathon. But something hinders him from going to the start of the marathon that was not a factor of any of the qualifications set forth above. Maybe he didn't sleep well. Maybe there was a personal or family need that came up. Maybe his car wouldn't start the day before...but whatever it was, he lost his desire to run the marathon. Yet he was still qualified....and if he had changed his mind minutes before the marathon started...well, would someone immediately say "you aren't qualified now because 10 minutes ago you did not have the desire."

Friends and brethren, God's will is to have qualified elders. Let's all strive to fit the "bill" if we are a Christian man (young or old), growing up, maturing into the person that the Bible says of those that are worthy of double honor in their service to the greatest people on earth....in the greatest possible way on earth....and for the greatest opportunity on earth.

Not every congregation will be able to appoint elders today, or ever. But, every congregation should be working to spiritually enable men to be qualified, help them when they may not have the best maturity, training, or desire to be more encouraged and to look forward to something that they can be...hopefully one day as they become qualified.