Man of God, do you desire to be a shepherd and overseer of the Lord’s church? I hope you do! God says that the man who aspires to that office “desires a good/fine work” (1 Tim. 3:1). The man who aspires to be an elder will not “accidentally” become one, nor will he “coincidentally” happen to meet the qualifications for such an office (this office can only be held by men who meet God’s specifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 11; Titus 1:5-9). Becoming an elder in the Lord’s church is a goal that every man needs to set and then target every day. Now, are you qualified to be a shepherd/overseer?
Every question in this section below must be answered with a definitive “Yes.” Which one(s) need your attention?
Are you blameless? Morally fit, nothing laid to one’s charge?
Are you temperate? Evenly tempered, with self under control?
Are you sober-minded? Sensible, serious, circumspect, calm?
Are you of good behavior? Respectable, orderly, disciplined?
Are you hospitable? Kind, friendly, generous, open, warm?
Are you able to teach? Spiritually mature in knowledge & skill?
Are you gentle? Patient, equitable, courteous, peaceful?
Are you a lover of what is good? Love truth/purity, hate evil?
Are you just? Upright, honest, fair, impartial, noble?
Are you holy? Devout, pure, consecrated, undefiled by sin?
Are you holding fast the faithful word? Devoted to & clinging?
Are you well thought of by outsiders? Of good testimony?
Are you the husband of one wife? Scripturally married?
Are you over your home, with children subject to you & God?
Are you married to a woman who is reverent, temperate, faithful in all things and not a malicious gossip?
Every question in this section below must be answered with a definitive “No.” Which one(s) need your attention?
Are you a novice? Recent convert, spiritually immature?
Are you given to wine? Beside it, near it, accepting of it?
Are you violent? Ready with a blow, combative, a bully?
Are you greedy for money? Covetous, inclined to material?
Are you quarrelsome? Contentious, belligerent, argumentative?
Are you self-willed? Self-pleasing, inconsiderate, arrogant?
Are you quick-tempered? Prone to anger, hotheaded, rash?
Serving as a shepherd of the Lord’s church is a not a position of honor (although shepherds are to receive honor, 1 Tim. 5:17), but it is work to be desired, which requires real labor and toil to tend, feed and protect the Lord’s flock!
Man of God, are you desirous? Are you qualified?