1. I Timothy 3:1-7 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self- controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self- controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

3. What is an elder? Presbuteros – Mature (not just by age) Episkopos – “Overseer” Poimen – “Shepherd”

4. 4 primary ways elders serve as leaders Suitable Leadership Shepherd Leadership Shared Leadership Servant Leadership

5. Suitable Leadership – “Qualified” Determination – Do you want to? Desire – Why do you want to? Deportment - What qualifies you to do so?

6. I Timothy 3:1-7 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self- controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self- controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

7. Titus 1:6-9 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless–not overbearing, not quick- tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self- controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

8. 1) Moral and Spiritual Character “Above Reproach” - In Marital Faithfulness and Sexual Purity - In Integrity -In Self-Control (use of money/alcohol/authority) -In Relationship Skills (gentle/stable/sound –minded/not contentious)

9. 2) Abilities Manage household well Be a model for others to follow Able to teach and defend the faith

10. 3) Spirit-Given Motivation - Not grudgingly or with wrong motives KJV – “desire”; NASB – “aspires”; NIV – “sets his heart”; AMP – “seeks” I Timothy 3:1 -KJV – “desire”; NASB – “aspires”; NIV – “sets his heart”; AMP – “seeks” - Approved by the Spirit Acts 20:28 - Guard yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers

11. Why have to qualify? Entrusted with Christ’s most prized possession – His Bride Living examples to be followed Protects the church from incompetent or morally unfit leaders

12. Shepherd Leadership “Main Jobs”

13. 1) Protect the Flock 1 Pet. 5:1-3 – “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Acts 20:28-31 – “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

14. 2) Feed the Flock Jn. 21:15-18a – When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.”

15. 3) Lead the Flock Oversee, Goal Setting, Direction, Affect Change, Motivate other to Follow

16. 4) Care for the Flock James 5:14 – “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

17. Shared Leadership It’s not about one person but “pastors” Acts 15 – plurality James 5 –plurality Paul’s missionary travels appointed “elders” I Timothy and Titus – qualified elders

18. Benefits of Shared Leadership Balance each other’s weaknessesBalance each other’s weaknesses Lightens the workloadLightens the workload Provides accountabilityProvides accountability

19. Though equals, some will stand out I Timothy 5:17 - “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” Equal Authority doesn’t mean equal giftedness, knowledge, leadership abilities or experience

20. Servant Leadership Mk. 9:33-35 – They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Lk. 22:24-27 – Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” Lk. 22:24-27 – Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”

21. Churches Responsibility Heb. 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

22. Practical Ways to Submit to Elders Pray for them Encourage them Speak positively of them to others Love them Assist them in their jobs Support them Hold them accountable for their action and words