First, let’s look into the scriptures to see what an elder is.  We read in 1 Peter 5:1-3, “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”

The word ‘elder’ indicates one who is older; one who is a senior.  The task of the elder as we see here is to feed the flock of God, exercise oversight, and be an example for the younger ones to follow.  To be sure, being older is not the only qualification of being an elder.  It must be one who can spiritually feed the Lord’s people, look out for the spiritual welfare of those among him, and live a life that is an example to others of how a believer should live.  Let’s look further at the qualifications of an elder.

Titus 1:5-9 tells us, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”  One of the first things we notice is that the word ‘elder’ in verse 5 is interchangeable with the word ‘bishop’ in verse 7, showing them to be the same thing. We see the strict qualifications for one to oversee the Lord’s people.  These qualifications are to be observed so that this person “may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”  One who gets angry quickly, or partakes of wine too much, or loves money could not possibly have a good influence for the Lord’s people to follow.  However, one who welcomes people into his home, loves the good in others, is serious about the Lord’s things, etc. this is the type of person that would have a true heart to minister to his local church group.

Let’s look further at the qualifications of an elder/bishop in 1 Timothy 3:2-6, “A bishop then must be blameless, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that RULETH WELL HIS OWN HOUSE, HAVING HIS CHILDREN IN SUBJECTION with all gravity; (For IF A MAN know not how to rule HIS OWN HOUSE, how SHALL HE take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride HE FALL into the condemnation of the devil.”

  • The elder must be the husband of one wife.  We see this is a male role.
  • One that ruleth well HIS own house.  We see this is a male role.
  • Having HIS children in subjection.  We see this is a male role.

Over and over, we see the role of the elder/bishop is that which the Lord has given for the man to perform.  Even with this, we see this man should not be a new Christian, or a novice.  He needs to be well taught in the scriptures “holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught.”  His holiness and his experience as a husband and father are necessary for this man to be able to do the work of the elder in his local church group.

It is no doubt that godly women do, and should, have influence in their church group, but to serve in the official capacity of an elder is given to men to do.

Let us be careful to also notice that we do not read of a single elder in a local church.  The proper order is that there are multiple elders, lest one man try to exercise preeminence and rule the church as if it is his own.  (CC)  (673.4)