5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife,[B] having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.

7 As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. 8 Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

This always feels a bit awkward – when I’m the one explaining passages about standards for elders in the church. Whatever I say, it’s pointing squarely back at me as the person it applies to most of all. You’ll be glad to know that I’ve only got one wife, anyway (and I’m sure she’s glad to know that too!).

But of course, this passage doesn’t just apply to full-time paid ministry staff, or even just to those who have an official role or title of leadership in a church. The qualities and areas of godliness that Paul talks about should be the longing of every Christian, which we are all striving to grow and progress in through prayer and self-discipline. The reason Paul focuses specifically on elders is because the more responsibility a person has in the church, the greater impact their godliness (or ungodliness) will have on Jesus’ sheep and Jesus’ reputation in the community.

I think that’s what Paul means by saying an elder must be “blameless” (v 6) and “above reproach” (v 7). He doesn’t mean there’s a group of people in the church who should be perfect and sinless – that’s none of us! He’s talking about the kinds of things that are likely to lead to scandal in the church, things which will knock the church’s mission and ministry off course and bring shame on the name of Jesus.

I’ve got two suggestions for spending time in prayer to apply the passage now. First, pause on the lists of fleshly and godly attributes in verses 7-8: Is there a fleshly tendency that you need help to put to death, or a godly trait that you haven’t yet learned to put on in Christ? The fleshly: being self-absorbed, quick-tempered, you get drunk, you are violent or greedy. The godly: being hospitable, loving what is good, being self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Maybe you could share something from that list in your Growth Group prayer time this week.

Secondly, we are searching for a new assistant minister to bring onto our staff team next year. Pray that God would bring us someone who is so filled with Christ-like character that their ministry with us will bear much fruit and resound to Christ’s glory.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.