1. Names and Qualities of God’s Leaders in the Church
God has blessed His people by making arrangements for quality leadership in local churches. The very names given in Scripture to those who serve in this capacity convey much about their personal qualities and official functions. When they are appointed by God’s design, it is vital that whose who are called shepherds, overseers, or elders should enjoy the full support, cooperation, and respect of church members.
Shepherds  Overseers  Elders

2. Shepherds (pastors, Ephesians 4:11)
Overseers (bishops, 1 Timothy 3:1; Philippians 1:1)
Elders (Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 22, 23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 1 Tim. 5:17, 19; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1)
“From the first the Hebrews held this view of government, although the term elder came later to be used of the idea of the authority for which, at first, age was regarded necessary.”(ISBE, Elders in the OT)
The concept of men called “elders” providing leadership in Israel is common throughout Scripture (Exodus 3:16; Ezra 6:7; Matt. 16:21)
 Shepherds  Overseers  Elders Bible names for those appointed to lead the local church (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-3)

3. Qualifications of an elder (Titus 1:5-9)
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—  6  if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.  7  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,  8  but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,  9  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.

4. Qualifications of an elder (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.  2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;  3  not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;  4  one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence  5  (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);  6  not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.  7  Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

5. Qualifications of an elder (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7)
A man
Older
Husband of one wife
Desire the office
Blameless
Rules house well
Faithful children
Vigilant, sober, self-controlled
Good behavior
Given to hospitality
An able teacher
Not given to wine
Not violent
Not greedy
Gentle
Not contentious
Not a new convert
Has a good testimony
Not self-willed
Not quick tempered
A lover of good
Just
Holy
Holding Fast the Word

6. Shepherds  Overseers  Elders ARE DUE Honor, Submission, and Obedience
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” 1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”