1. True Male Spiritual Leadership (III) Role, Qualifications and Selection of Elders

2. Role of Elders G uard, Oversight, Shepherd, Teach, Lead Acts 20:17 “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church…. "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

3. Role of Elders Guard, Oversight, Shepherd, Teach, Lead 1 Pet 5.1-3 “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”

4. Role of Elders Guard, Oversight, Shepherd, Teach, Lead 1 Thes 5.12 “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction.”

5. Role of Elders Guard, Oversight, Shepherd, Teach, Lead Heb 13.7,17 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith….Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

6. Role of Elders Guard, Oversight, Shepherd, Teach, Lead A s seen by the terms describing their office: “Elder” (prebyteros) – Stresses dignity and position; wisdom and experience “Overseer” (episkopos; Bishop) – Stresses authority and function “Shepherd” (poimaino; Pastor) – Stresses caring concern; Watching out for the souls; feeding, protecting; nourishing

7. Qualifications of Elders A Target to Shoot For Phil 3:12-15 “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you”

8. Qualifications of Elders A Target to Shoot For Mt 19:26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

9. Christ- Likeness Spiritual/Moral Qualities Qualifications of Experience Family Qualifications Gifts or Talents Above Reproach Temperate Prudent Not Self-willed Respectable Just Devout Self-controlled Hospitable Loving What is Good Not Given to Wine Not Pugnacious Gentle Uncontentious Free from love of money Not a New Convert Able to Teach; Lead Husband of One Wife Manages Household Well Faithful (believing) Children

10. How Elders Are Chosen C hosen by the congregation -- E.g. Acts 6.1-6 “ So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.” Acts 6.2-6

11. How Elders Are Chosen Chosen by the congregation -- E.g. Acts 6.1-6 A ppointed by an apostle or evangelist -- Acts 14.23; Tit 1.5 D eveloped by the Holy Spirit -- Acts 20.28 A ll accompanied by prayer and fasting – Acts 13.2-3

12. Our Responsibility Toward Elders S ubmit from the Heart – Heb 13.17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” Heb 13.17

13. Our Responsibility Toward Elders Submit from the Heart – Heb 13.17 K now, Appreciate and Esteem Highly in Love – 1 Thes 5.12-13 “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another ” 1 Thes 5.12-13

14. Our Responsibility Toward Elders Submit from the Heart – Heb 13.17 Know, Appreciate and Esteem Highly in Love – 1 Thes 5.12-13 I mitate Their Faith – Heb 13.7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” Heb 13.7

15. Christ- Likeness Spiritual/Moral Qualities Qualifications of Experience Family Qualifications Gifts or Talents Above Reproach Temperate Prudent Not Self-willed Respectable Just Devout Self-controlled Hospitable Loving What is Good Not Given to Wine Not Pugnacious Gentle Uncontentious Free from love of money Not a New Convert Able to Teach; Lead Husband of One Wife Manages Household Well Faithful (believing) Children

16. Our Responsibility Toward Elders Submit from the Heart Know, Appreciate and Esteem Highly in Love Imitate Their Faith How Elders Are Chosen Chosen by the congregation Appointed by an apostle or evangelist Developed by the Holy Spirit All accompanied by prayer and fasting