Ten Questions forProspective Elders (Part 1)
1. Are You Respected in the Community?
• “Above reproach”, literally “not able to be held”
• “Good reputation with outsiders” • An elder with a tarnished reputation hinders
the mission of the church. • We need leaders who are a compelling
commercial for Christ.
2. Are You Committed to Your Wife?
• “Husband of but one wife” (NIV84) is literally “a one-woman man”
• “Faithful to his wife” (NIV)• A man completely devoted to his wife not only
in body, but also in mind and heart. • Not about past history, but present character.
3. Do You Make Wise Decisions?
• “Temperate” means “clear-headed”• “Self-controlled” means “prudent, thoughtful” • A man who has his head on straight. • Elders must often think through thorny
relational, financial, and doctrinal issues• “Elders” suggests significant life experience. • Mature enough to avoid shoot-from-the-hip,
impulsive, or careless decisions.
4. Do You Keep Your Temper in Check?
• “Not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome”• Elders will face volatile situations in which a
soft word will turn away anger, but a harsh word will stir up wrath (Proverbs 15:1).
• When conflict and criticism arise, the man who will make a good elder will have a tough skin, a tender heart, a short memory, and a long fuse.
5. Are You Willing to be Inconvenienced for Others?
• “Hospitable” is not dinner and conversation.• The word pictured someone opening his home
for guests to stay days or even weeks on end. • Hospitality involved sacrifice and cost a great
deal in time, space, money and effort. • Paul’s question is: will this man think of others
before himself?