1. How to spot an Elder Since an overseer manages God’s household,
he must be blameless Tit 1:7 NIV

2. No room for justifiable criticism
Above reproach
Now the overseer is to be above reproach, 1 Tim 3:2 NIV
An elder must be blameless, Tit 1:6 NIV
- The bottom line
“No obvious flaw in his character or conduct
that would bring justifiable criticism
on him or the church” Constable
- Maintaining an Elder’s blamelessness 1 Tim 5:19-20

3. No room for justifiable criticism
Is he an exemplary HUSBAND?
faithful to his wife 1 Tim 3:2/ Tit 1:6 NIV ‘husband of one wife’
single/remarried/a polygamist!? past and present?
consider both his marital status and integrity.
In principle
‘A one woman kind of man’ Wuest
Do women find him safe to be with?
“I only have eyes for you” Flamingos

4. No room for justifiable criticism
Is he an exemplary FAMILY MANAGER?
He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 1 Tim 3:4 NIV
a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Tit 1:6 NIV
- No children? what age? still at home? believers? feral?
- consider both the status of his children and their respect for his parenting
The point of the matter
(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family,
how can he take care of God’s church?) 1 Tim 3:5 NIV

5. No room for justifiable criticism
Is he an exemplary CITIZEN?
He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,… 1 Tim 3:7NIV
- What would his unchurched associates say if we were to ask them?
The point of the matter
…. a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall
into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. 1 Tim 3:7NIV 
Does he have an ‘excellent testimony’ in the community?
I didn’t think a Christian leader would do that!

6. No room for justifiable criticism
An exemplary person in CONDUCT
not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 1 Tim 3:3 NIV
—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Tit 1:7 NIV
Is he known for being:-
Overbearing - arrogant
Quick-tempered - short fused
Given to drunkenness - addiction issues
Violent - abusive
A lover of money - greedy for personal gain
‘But the fruit of the Spirit is ….. self control’ Paul

7. No room for justifiable criticism
An exemplary person in CHARACTER
Now the overseer is to be …temperate, self-controlled, respectable, 1 Tim 3:2 
Rather he must be one … who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Tit 1:8 
‘Rather’ - is he know for being:-
Self controlled
Temperate - measured – not reckless
Respectable - dignified
Upright - fair to his fellows
Holy - set apart to God
‘Blessed are the meek’ Jesus

8. How to spot an Elder Exemplary - as a husband - as a home manager
Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless Tit 1:7 NIV
Exemplary
- as a husband
- as a home manager
- as a citizen
- in conduct
in character
In admitting a man to the ministry [of an Elder] the primary consideration must be the integrity of his character rather than his spectacular gifts. Hiebert