1 Timothy 3:2-7
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.
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.
| Title |
Notes |
The First Presbyterian Jackson Officer’s Training Manual (DOC)  |
J. Ligon Duncan - Here’s how one healthy church trains incoming elders and deacons. |
Biblical Eldership  |
Alexander Strauch - 44 Page Study Guide |
16 Keys to Effective Elders’ Meetings  |
Alexander Strauch (pdf) |
Biblical Eldership  |
Alexander Strauch - Answer Key |
A Directory for Elder Examination  |
A Puritan's Mind - The following is a partial list of questions that our church uses to qualify those who 1) desire the office of an elder, and 2) are actually qualified for that office. |
Another Pastoral Quiz  |
A Puritan's Mind - A little Quiz for the Pastor who studies. |
Working with the Eldership  |
Jay E. Adams |
Pointers for Elders and Deacons - Part 1  |
Ordained Servant (OPC) |
Pointers for Elders and Deacons - Part 2  |
Ordained Servant (OPC) |
Pointers for Elders and Deacons - Part 3  |
Ordained Servant (OPC) |
The Administration of Christ's Church for Presbyterian & Reformed Leaders  |
Max A. Forsythe - Extensive Resources |
Who Should Run the Church? A Case for the Plurality of Elders  |
Daniel B. Wallace |
Officer Training Workbook  |
Chuck Baynard (pdf) |
A Study Course on the Westminster Confession  |
John Hilbelink (pdf) - Training course for elders and deacons |
How Elder-Shepherds Prepare to Meet the Chief Shepherd  |
John Piper |
Who Shall Shepherd the Flock?  |
John Piper |
Of the Officers of a Church, Particularly Pastors  |
John Gill |
Diseases of Church Government  |
J. G. Vos: Part 1 - Regarding Compromise as a Principal and Part 2 - Following the Line of Least Resistance |
How Can a Session Shepherd Its Pastor?  |
Lawrence Eyres |
The Qualification of Elders - Titus 1:6-9  |
Doug V. Heck |
Children of Elders: What Are the Requirements?  |
Andreas Kostenberger |
Eldership  |
Princeton Review, 1847 |
Ordination and Religous Titles  |
Charles Spurgeon |
The Vows of Teaching and Ruling Elders  |
PCA Historical Center |
The Office of a Ruling Elder  |
R.B. Kuiper |
Special Offices  |
R.B. Kuiper |
The Ruling Elder  |
Samuel Miller, D.D. |
The Duties and Qualifications of Ruling Elders  |
John Watkins |
The Problem of Eldership and Its Wider Implication  |
Iain Murray |
The Eldership in the Reformed Church  |
T. F. Torrance |
Sermons on Biblical Eldership  |
John Piper |
The Historic Role of the Eldership  |
Paul Mizzi |
Of Synods and Councils  |
Bob Burridge - Authority and Offices |
The Extraordinary Ministers of the Church  |
William Ames |
Lessons in Shepherding 1: God, Moses and David  |
Paul Alexander |
Lessons in Shepherding 2: Jeremiah and Ezekiel  |
Paul Alexander |
Lessons in Shepherding 3: The Gospels  |
Paul Alexander |
Lessons in Shepherding 4: Acts, 1 Peter, and Revelation  |
Paul Alexander |
Ninth Mark of a Healthy Church Member - Follows Leadership  |
Thabiti Anyabwile |
Disagreements and Differences Among Elders  |
Matt Schmucker |
The Meaning of "The Husband of One Wife" in 1 Timothy 3  |
Randy Alcorn |
The New Testament Office of Elder  |
Ben C |
1 Timothy 3:1-7 & 5:17 - Who Are the Elders?  |
John Piper |
The Faithful Elder  |
Archibald Alexander (1772-1851) |
The Roles, Responsibilities, and Recognition of Elders (.pdf)  |
Steve Fernandez |
Elders, Part I (MP3)  |
Edward Donnelly |
Qualifications of the Elder, Part III (MP3)  |
Edward Donnelly |
Responsibilities to Elder, Part IV (MP3)  |
Edward Donnelly |