The blood of God's own Son purchased for Him a people, set apart for His glory by His grace. They make up the Bride and Body of Christ upon the earth: the Church.

Likewise the Lord has appointed under-shepherds to care for and look after the family of faith. But who are they, and how are they to do that? Rather than leave it up to us to determine, the Lord has provided qualifications for elders and deacons in the Scripture.

Join us today as we consider a few passages from Paul that provide clarity and counsel when it comes to appointing and approving leadership in the Body of Christ.

Today's passage:

3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

-1 Timothy 3.1-7, Titus 1.6-9 (esv)