Faith & Reason Nexus

Negative Qualifications

• Without reproach / Blameless: Elders should have no grounds for accusations against them.
• No brawler: Elders should not be contentious or prone to fighting.
• No striker: Elders should not be violent or physically aggressive.
• Not contentious: Elders should not be argumentative.
• No lover of money / Not greedy of filthy lucre: Elders should not be greedy or overly focused on wealth.
• Not a novice: Elders should be mature in their faith and experience.
• Not soon angry: Elders should not be quick-tempered.
• Not self-willed: Elders should not be stubborn or arrogant.

Positive Qualifications

• Husband of one wife: Elders should be faithful in marriage.
• Temperate: Elders should be moderate in their behavior.
• Sober-minded: Elders should be sensible and serious.
• Orderly: Elders should be organized and well-managed.
• Given to hospitality: Elders should be welcoming and generous to others.
• Apt to teach: Elders should be able to teach sound doctrine and refute false teachings.
• Gentle: Elders should be kind and considerate.
• Ruleth well his own household: Elders should manage their families well, with children who believe and are not unruly.
• Good report from without: Elders should have a good reputation with outsiders.
• Self-controlled: Elders should exhibit self-discipline.
• Holy: Elders should be devout and righteous.
• Lover of good: Elders should love what is good.
• Just: Elders should be fair and impartial.