How can you identify a godly church officer?
How can you and your local church identify a biblically qualified and godly person to serve God and God’s people in the local church? Often, churches seek out or accept individuals who have things like ambition, charisma, influence, intelligence, money, important community positions, or knowledge of biblical doctrines. However, while such things can be important they are not the things God looks for in one who is called as a servant leader.
Here are some questions with biblical definitions and descriptions for one who desires to serve in church office (deacon, elder, or pastor). By the way, the office a person is called to has to do with the type of servant leadership one fulfills within God’s Church. The person is not the office. The person is called to serve in a particular office. These are the duties and responsibilities such individuals are called to perform.
Does the man already exhibit and practice the right ministries?
He serves others through self-sacrifice (Jn. 10:11, 15; Lk. 10:34-34) as a faithful steward of God’s ministry (1 Cor. 4:1-2; Ti. 1:7) and in a manner like Jesus (Matt. 20:25-28; 23:11-12; Mk. 10:43,44; Lk. 22:26-27; Jn. 13:1-20). He serves God first, then others. He serves God’s people with diligence (2 Cor. 4:5; Rom. 12:8; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 5:17).
He willingly shares his material resources with others (Acts 4; Eph. 4:28).
He persistently and caringly prays for other (Acts 6:4; Col. 1:9), including nonbelievers (1 Tim. 2:1-8; 1 Sam. 12:23; Acts 12:5-9, 12; Rom. 10:1; Eph. 1:18; Col. 4:12; Jas. 5:16).
He is a disciple maker (witnessing, pouring the life of Christ that’s in him into others (Matt. 28:18-20).
The elder candidate is one who is investing his life in other faithful men so that they may be gifted and qualified to serve as deacons or elders or in other ways (1 Tim. 1:11; 3:1-7; 4:14).
He is already ministering the Word of God to others through teaching, exhorting, counseling, building up, etc. (Mk. 6:34b; Rev. 7:17; 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Thess. 5:12; Col. 1:28; Jas. 3:1). The elder knows his priorities are centered on Word ministries (1 Cor. 1:17; 1 Tim. 4:13-14; Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 1:3; 3:2, 16; Jas. 3:1).
Teaches apostolic truth to faithful believers who disciples others (2 Tim. 2:2).
Teaches others how to be like Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 5:24-6:6).
Teaches older men to be sober, reverent, self-controlled, sound in faith, love and patience (Ti. 2:1-2).
He builds up, encourages and edifies others (2 Cor. 13:10-11; Eph. 4:12-16).
He gently confronts sin (Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 5:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:1-2 Ti. 1:13; 2:15), admonishing wayward believers to obey God’s Word (2 Thess. 3:15).
To be an elder, the individual will learn or know how to delegate tasks of lesser priorities in order to concentrate on ministries of prayer and the Word of God (Acts. 6:1-7). A deacon will find ways to take on tasks so as to free the pastor and elder(s) for the work of ministry.
The elder candidate must be qualified to lovingly shepherd God’s people (Jer. 3:15; Jn. 21:15ff; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-2) as one who leads (Mk, 6:34), guides (Matt. 2:6; Acts 7:10-14; Heb. 3:7, 17, 24) and protects (Acts 20:28-30, Jn. 10:12; Ti. 1:9; 2:1; 1 Pet. 5:8; 1 Jn. 4:1-3).
He seeks and actively makes peace; he is a reconciler (Matt. 5:9; 2 Cor. 5:18-19).
He has a heart for and finds ways to help widows, orphans, and the needy (Acts. 6:1ff; 1 Tim. 3:5-16; Jas. 1:27; Jas. 2:2-6; Acts 2:45; Gal. 2:10; Eph. 4:28).
Does this person possess the right character?
Though no candidate or officer in Christ’s Church demonstrates any or all of the required character qualities perfectly, nevertheless it must be obvious that the officer has and demonstrates most of these qualities with consistent regularity. Though he does not measure up perfectly or completely, he measures up obviously and substantially.
He knows and loves Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He trains himself to become more like Jesus (1 Tim. 4:7-16; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Pet. 1:4). In other words, he works hard at growing in the mind, character, behavior. He is a sponge, constantly learning. He rigorously disciplines himself to be like Jesus.
He models the life of Christ (2 Cor. 12:18; 1 Thess. 2:10-12; 1 Pet. 5:3), which is a model of godliness (Ps. 101:2; 1 Cor. 4:6; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 1 Thess. 1:6; 2:10-11; 2 Thess. 3:7-9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Ti. 2:7; Heb. 12:2; 13:7; etc.).
The candidate is above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6) and spiritually mature (1 Tim. 3:2).
He has restrained control in his life (1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Thess. 5:6,8).
He is a true gentle man (approachable, kind, gracious, firm yet diplomatic) (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:23-25; Matt. 11:29; Acts 24:4; 2 Cor. 10:1; 1 Thess. 2:7; James 3:17). He is full of mercy (Ez. 34:4).
Patience and forbearance are more than apparent in his life (1 Tim. 3:3; 2 Cor. 6:6; Gal. 5:22; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Tim. 3:10; 4:12; Jas. 5:7,8; 10).
He is quick to take the log out of his own life before accusing another of his/her faults (Psa. 15:3; Matt. 7:1; 1 Cor. 4:5; Jas. 4:12).
He easily forgives and it is unquestionable that he covers other’s multitude of sins with love (Prov. 17:19; Rom. 15:1; Gal. 6:1; Col. 3:13; 1 Pet. 4:8).
He is not pugnacious, not prone to violence (1 Tim. 3:3; Ti. 1:7; Prov. 3:30; 15:18; 17:14; 20:3; 25:8; 26:17; Phil. 2:3).
He is not quarrelsome (1 Tim. 3:2, 3; 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:22-26; Ti. 3:9 Eccl. 10:4; Matt. 5:9; Rom. 12:18; 14:19; Heb. 12:14; Jas. 3:17).
He is not greedy (1 Tim. 3:3; Ti. 1:7 cp. 1 Tim. 6:5-10; Acts 20:33; 2 Tim. 3:6-7).
He does not easily succumb to selfish anger (Ti. 1:7; Pro. 16:32).
He is not over-indulgent or a drunk (1 Tim. 3:3; Ti. 1:7). The principle is that he has disciplined control over bodily appetites (Gen. 19; Prov. 20:1; 23; Eccles. 10:17; Isa. 5:11; Isa. 28:1; Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13; Eph. 5:18).
He is self-controlled (Ti. 1:8; Eph. 5:4; Acts 24:25; Rom. 6:12; Jas. 3:2; 2 Pet. 1:5-7; Matt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Pet. 5:8).
He is truly humble. Humility means he is not self-willed or selfish. Rather, he is teachable, ready to admit faults and ask forgiveness, and is other-focused (Matt. 18:4; Luke 14:10; Jn. 13:5; Phil 2:3; Ti. 1:7; Jas. 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:5; Rom. 12:3,10, 16). He is not self-centered or self-seeking (Prov. 25:6-7; 27:2; Matt. 23:12; Rom. 12:3; 1 Pet. 5:3) but truly seeks the good of others (1 Cor. 10:24; 1 Cor. 13:5; Phil. 2:4).
As a man with a servant’s heart, he esteems others higher than himself (Phil. 2:1-10; 1 Pet. 5:3).
The candidate is holy (this means biblically devout, pious; a worshiper) (Ti. 1:8; Lev. 11:45; Luke 1:74,75; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2 Pet. 3:11).
His persona and life demonstrate biblical hospitality (willingly and at times sacrificially shares his life, time, money, resources) to friends and strangers (1 Tim. 3:2; 5:10; Ti. 1:9; 1 Pet. 4:9; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2).
He is just (upright, righteous, “fair,” impartial) in dealing with people (Ti. 1:8; Deut. 16:20; Psa. 82:3; Prov. 21:3; Isa. 56:1; Rom. 13:7; Col. 4:1).
The man is intentional in pursuing biblical righteousness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness (1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22).
This person is a lover of good (has a love of virtue, good work, and good things) (Ti. 1:8; 1 Thess. 5:21; Heb. 3:6; 4:14; 10:23; Rev. 3:3).
He is free from the love of money (1 Tim. 3:3: 6:7-11).
He is respectable (well-ordered, well-arranged, decorous in behavior and speech; good manners) (1 Tim 3:2).
He is prudent, wise (skilled at bringing God’s thoughts to bear on all matters of life) (1 Tim. 3:2; Ti. 1:8; Proverbs).
This individual is sober-minded about everything-not drunk with the details of life (2 Tim. 4:5).
He bears fruit of good works, of discipleship, and of the Spirit (Jn. 15:8; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 1:10; Ti. 2:7; 3:8, 14).
If he is married, he strives to love his wife like Christ loves the Church (Eph. 5).
If he has a family, he is a godly father who manages his home well (1 Tim. 3:4-5; Ti. 1:6).
He and others understand that his life and ministry is first and foremost a living sacrifice to God (Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6; 2 Sam. 24:24; Acts 20:24; 21:13; Phil. 3:7-8).
Does the man possess the right equipment?
That is, does this person have the right gifts for the office of deacon or elder?
The man has been obviously endowed with God-given spiritual gifts that would suit him for the office and work as deacon or elder (Mk. 16:15-18; Lk. 21:15; 24:49; Acts 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:22; Ti. 1:7).
The potential elder must be knowledgeable of the Scriptures, faithful to its doctrines and is able to study, teach, exhort-counsel, and defend the faith by properly handling the Scriptures (1 Thess. 2:11,12; 1 Tim.1; Titus 3).
He saturates his life and properly handles God’s Word (1 Tim. 5:17; 2 Tim. 3:14-16).
It is obvious the man is growing in grace (grace-filled kindness) and truth (2 Pet. 3:18).
He can rightly handle God’s Word, teach God’s truth and guard it (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 1:18-19; 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:12-14).
The potential elder must be gifted to lead and guide (1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Thess. 5:12, 13; 1 Tim. 3:5; 5:17; Heb. 13:7, 17, 24). He is already leading in example, witness, disciple making, ministries, service, wisdom, etc.
The potential elder or deacon is gifted to serve (Acts 20:24f; Rom. 15:26-33).
The potential officer is currently demonstrating a heart and life of justice, truth, grace, mercy, love and intentional kindness (Matt. 25; 1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Tim. 3:2; Ti. 1:8).
Does the potential officer of God’s Church possess the right motivation?
The man has expressed that he has an inward call and desire from God to serve. He desires the office (1 Tim. 3:1).
He is faithful and shows an above-average commitment to the Lord, this church, and his family in time, talents, gifts, prayer, participation and presence.
It is obvious that he is responsive to the gifting, the call, and leading of the Holy Spirit in his life (Acts 20:28).
His motives are biblical and Christ-like (1 Peter 5:1ff).
Not only does he have the inward call of God, but God’s people in this church recognizehim as someone already acting and functioning like a deacon or elder and are unquestionably convinced his call is proven, qualified, and legitimate (Acts 6;Jer. 23:32; Rom. 10:15; Heb. 5:4).
He fans the flame and rekindles the spiritual and natural gifts God has given him (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6).
The qualities and responsibilities above are the key definitions and descriptions for one who is called to serve as a deacon, elder, or pastor. These are the biblical prerequisites and requirements you and your local church need to use in order to identify a biblically qualified and godly person to serve God’s local church.