Elder Selection Process

Another year is upon us and with it comes another opportunity to be used by the Lord in the important process of making recommendations of who could be invited to enter the elder training and selection process. Elders play a significant role in the leadership, shepherding, and care of our church.

As per our church constitution, we begin the process by inviting all attenders, not just members to make recommendations. These recommendations are not nominations for a certain candidate but a way for us to consider who could be invited into the training process. Your basis of recommendation or standard should be men who meet the qualifications and are capable of fulfilling the functions of an Elder as determined from 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and who are also currently leading well among us.

Below is a list of those qualities and their descriptions. Please prayerfully look over these qualities, consider the men of our church with whom you are familiar, and give us your input.

If a man does not meet other qualifications (ex: membership, etc.) or as elders we have knowledge of other information that would limit him from being qualified for eldership at this time, he will not be given an invitation into the process. Nevertheless, your input is crucial for us to get a sense of who people assess as potential elders among us.

Please fill out the Recommendation Form below to submit your recommendation by the last Sunday of January.

We covet your prayers throughout these next few months. If you have any questions, please contact any one of the Elders.

You are loved!

– Mission Church Leadership

Biblical Qualifications of an Elder

  1. Desire for the work of Elder. (1 Timothy 3:1)
  2. Above reproach. (1 Timothy 3:2)
  3. Husband of one wife. Literally, a one-woman man, loyal to his wife and to her alone. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6)
  4. Temperate. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) Self-controlled.
  5. Prudent. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) Sensible, wise, and balanced in judgment.
  6. Respectable. (1 Timothy 3:2) Demonstrating good behavior.
  7. Hospitable. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) Willing to share his blessings with others. Literally, “lover of strangers.”
  8. Able to teach. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9) Able to communicate the truths of God’s Word to others.
  9. Not addicted to wine. (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1: 7)
  10. Not pugnacious, but gentle. (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7) Not a person given to physical violence.
  11. Uncontentious. (1 Timothy 3:3) Not a person given to fighting, or having an attitude of selfish argumentation.
  1. Free from the love of money. (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7; l Peter 5:2)
  2. One who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity. (1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 1:6)
  3. Not a new convert. (1 Timothy 3:6)
  4. Good reputation with those outside the Church. (1 Timothy 3:7)
  5. Not self-willed. (Titus 1:7) Not insensitive, forcing his ideas and opinions on people.
  6. Not quick-tempered. (Titus 1:7) He must be in control of his own spirit.
  7. Loving what is good. (Titus 1:8)
  8. Just. (Titus 1:8) Fair and impartial.
  9. Devout. (Titus 1:8) Holy, separated from sin.
  10. Holding fast the faithful Word… that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:9) Knowing, living, and teaching the Word of God.
  11. Proven in ministry, Faithful in lesser ministry roles (ex. teacher, small group leader, deacon, usher, etc.) (1 Timothy 3:10)

Functions of an Elder
(from the Mission Church Constitution)

  1. Directing the affairs of the church. (1 Timothy 5:17, Acts 6)
  2. Praying and interceding for the sick. (Acts 6:4, James 5:14)
  3. Ministering from the word of God through: reading it publicly, preaching and teaching it, and encouraging others with it. (Hebrews 13:7, 1 Timothy 4:13, Titus 1:9)
  4. Delegating tasks that keep them from prayer and ministry of the Word. (Acts 6:1-6)
  5. Refuting those who oppose sound doctrine. (Acts 20:28-31, Titus 1:9)
  6. Resolving disputes. (Acts 15)
  7. Laying on hands to ordain or bless. (1 Timothy 4:14, 5:22)
  8. Being an example to the flock. (1 Peter 5:3)

Elder Selection Recommendation


Submit a Recommendation