Another extremely harmful practice that we must add to this list is establishing elders who are not qualified to carry out this important responsibility. Sadly, this problem has occurred in several congregations of the Lord’s church. In some cases, the legitimate desire to have the Biblical organization of the church has led certain brethren to establish men as elders who still do not meet the requirements that God has established in His Word. However, we must remember that the desire to have elders must never be placed above the desire to do God’s will. 

The organization of the church is not something that we can modify according to our circumstances, preferences, or needs. Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18), and He has all authority over it (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, the church must carefully respect the pattern that God has established in His Word.

The Requirements for Elders Come From God

The Holy Spirit, through the inspired writers of the New Testament, clearly established the requirements that a man must meet in order to serve as an elder. These requirements are found primarily in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4; and Hebrews 13:7, 17. 

Paul wrote:

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1).

It is important to notice that Paul not only speaks about the good work that the man who aspires to the eldership desires to accomplish, but he immediately presents a list of qualities that this man must possess. Among them, he must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain, gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, one who rules his own house well, and one who has a good testimony from those outside (1 Timothy 3:2-7). 

Likewise, Titus 1:6-9 presents additional and parallel requirements: blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain, hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, and holding fast the faithful word.

These requirements are not suggestions. They are the qualities that God has established for those who desire to serve as bishops. Therefore, no man, preacher, evangelist, elder, congregation, or group of brethren has the authority to eliminate, modify, or minimize any of them. 

We Must Not Alter God’s Requirements

At times, desperation to have elders can lead a congregation to look for ways to justify selecting a brother who is not qualified. I have also heard of congregations where a prominent brother comes, teaches several classes on the organization of the church, and later proceeds to establish elders who do not meet the Biblical requirements. 

There are also cases in which people attempt to alter the mandatory requirements for elders and deacons in order to accommodate certain brethren who do not qualify. Such a practice has no Biblical authorization.

We must remember the words of God:

“Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set” (Proverbs 22:28).

Although this text belongs to the Old Testament and originally refers to established boundaries, the principle of respecting what God has established is clearly important. In the New Testament, we find the same principle of respecting Biblical authority:

“That you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Colossians 3:17 also teaches:

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

To do something “in the name of the Lord” means to do it under His authority. If God has established specific requirements for elders, we have no right to change them. 

An “Emergency” Does Not Authorize Us to Disobey God

Sometimes it is argued that a congregation urgently needs elders. Perhaps a church has only two elders and one of them is no longer able to continue serving. In such a situation, there may be great pressure to quickly find another brother to fill the vacant position. 

However, an emergency does not change God’s will.

If only one qualified elder remains, the solution is not to hastily appoint a man who does not meet the requirements. If the time comes when a congregation no longer has the necessary number of elders to continue functioning with a plurality of elders, then that reality should be honestly acknowledged, and the congregation should diligently work to prepare and equip brethren who may become Biblically qualified in the future.

It is much better to say, “We do not yet have qualified elders,” than to say, “We have elders, even though we know they do not meet God’s requirements.”

We cannot do evil that good may come (Romans 3:8).

Obedience to God must always come first:

“We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). 

The Requirements Have a Purpose

We must understand that the requirements established by the Holy Spirit for elders have a purpose. God did not place them in the Bible to make it difficult for a congregation to have elders. He established them to ensure that the men who oversee and shepherd the church possess the character, spiritual maturity, knowledge, and ability necessary to carry out this work. 

An elder must be able to:

• Rule his own house well (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
• Be an example to the congregation (1 Peter 5:3).
• Shepherd the flock of God (1 Peter 5:2).
• Watch over the souls of the members (Hebrews 13:17).
• Exhort with sound teaching (Titus 1:9).
• Convince those who contradict (Titus 1:9).
• Protect the church from false teachers (Acts 20:28-31).
• Serve without exercising lordship over the congregation (1 Peter 5:3).
• Be a spiritual example worthy of imitation (1 Peter 5:3). 

Therefore, appointing a man or men who are not prepared for these responsibilities can bring very serious consequences upon the entire congregation.

The Eldership Is Not Simply a Title

Another problem is viewing the eldership as a title, position of honor, or personal recognition. The work of an elder does not simply consist of participating in meetings, making administrative decisions, or representing the congregation. 

An elder is a spiritual shepherd who must care for the flock of God.

Peter exhorted the elders:

“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly” (1 Peter 5:2).

And he added:

“Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

The true elder does not seek authority in order to be served, but opportunities to serve. He does not seek to control the congregation, but to help it grow spiritually. He does not seek personal recognition, but the glory of God (Galatians 6:14).

Jesus taught this principle when He said:

“Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). 

Elders Have a Great Responsibility Before God

The work of elders is not just any kind of work. They have the responsibility of watching over the souls of those under their care. 

Hebrews 13:17 says:

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.”

The expression “as those who must give account” should produce reverence and seriousness. Elders will have to answer before God for the way in which they carried out this responsibility. 

Peter also reminded the elders that when the “Chief Shepherd” appears, they will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (1 Peter 5:4).

For this reason, a brother should not accept the eldership simply because others want him to. He must carefully examine his life in light of God’s Word and honestly ask himself whether he meets the qualifications established by the Holy Spirit. 

The Church Also Has a Responsibility

Not only do the men who aspire to the eldership have a responsibility. The congregation also must be diligent when selecting its elders.

A church should not select a man because he is popular, has money, is a businessman, has been a member for many years, is a friend of the preacher, or because the congregation greatly admires him.

The primary question should be:

“Does this brother meet the requirements that God has established?”

The church should carefully study 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4; and Hebrews 13:7, 17 before considering any brother for the eldership. 

Furthermore, favoritism must be avoided. Paul wrote:

“I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality” (1 Timothy 5:21).

The selection of elders must be done with prayer, reverence, Biblical knowledge, and absolute honesty. 

What Should We Do When We Do Not Have Qualified Elders?

If a congregation does not have men who meet the requirements, it should not feel pressured to appoint unqualified men. Rather, it should begin working to prepare future elders. 

Men should grow in:

• knowledge of God’s Word;
• Christian character;
• self-control;
• spiritual leadership;
• ability to teach;
• faithfulness to their wives;
• proper leadership of their homes;
• hospitality;
• service to the brethren;
• defense of sound doctrine;
• good testimony among those outside.

Paul told Titus that he was to appoint elders in every city (Titus 1:5), but those men had to meet the qualifications that immediately follow in the subsequent verses.

Likewise, Paul taught that faithful men should be trained to teach others:

“The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

The solution, therefore, is not to lower the standard, but to raise the level of spiritual preparation among men. 

A Strong Church Needs Spiritually Strong Leaders

When a congregation appoints elders who truly meet the Biblical requirements, the church can receive great benefits. The elders will be better equipped to fulfill their responsibility of protecting, feeding, guiding, and caring for the flock.

Acts 20:28 says:

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God.”

This passage demonstrates the enormous responsibility that rests upon the shoulders of those who serve as elders. 

A congregation with faithful and qualified elders can be greatly strengthened. But a congregation that appoints unqualified men may experience conflicts, poor administration, lack of spiritual direction, tolerance of error, favoritism, divisions, and, in some cases, apostasy.

For this reason, we should not rush to appoint elders simply so that we can say that we have the Biblical organization of the church. We must seek to have elders who truly conform to the pattern that God has established. 

The establishment of elders who are not qualified is a practice that can deeply hurt the Lord’s church. Although the desire to have elders is right, the method used to accomplish that goal must also be right.

We must never sacrifice truth in order to achieve a goal that we consider good. God desires for His church to be governed and guided by men who meet His requirements. We must not add human requirements, but neither should we eliminate or minimize Divine requirements.

Let us remember that the church belongs to Christ (Matthew 16:18), He is its head (Ephesians 1:22-23), and we must respect His will in everything we do.

If a congregation still does not have men who are qualified to serve as elders, let it not become discouraged. Let it teach the Word, prepare men, strengthen homes, and help future leaders grow spiritually. In time, the Lord can bless these efforts with men who come to meet the requirements established in His Word.

But in the meantime, let us not alter God’s pattern because of pressure, tradition, convenience, or a supposed emergency.

May every congregation be able to say with the psalmist:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

And may we all remember Paul’s exhortation:

“Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

May God help us to respect His will, faithfully teach His Word, and appoint only men who are truly qualified to care for and guide the church that Christ purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28).