Are church elders perfect? Uh..no. Just ask my wife. She can make you a list.

But doesn’t it seem like the standard of elder qualifications in 1 Timothy and Titus is impossibly high? Here is the list from Titus 1:6-9:

6 If any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.

7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,

8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

The standard is high, but it is not perfection. There was only One who walked this earth who was, and is perfect, Jesus Christ. Church elders are sinners, saved by grace, just like everyone else.

I’m afraid some younger men may get the wrong impression and feel they could never meet these qualifications. But it’s important to realize that no one perfectly meets these all the time. A qualified church elder is one who has grown and matured in Christ, and whose life is characterized by these qualities.

The overarching qualification is “above reproach.” It does not mean perfection, but that one lives a consistent life of godliness and whose reputation includes these qualities. 

Actually, every Christian is to be above reproach (See Colossians 1:22). And what we are really talking about is becoming like Jesus Christ. Saying that one is “Christ-like” can sound a little nebulous as if we are just to be nice people. But the qualifications for elders can be used by anyone as a measure of how one is growing; for instance, our tongue, our temper, our time, our treasure.

When I was younger, three verses gave me confidence that God provides the ability to fulfill his calling and commands:

“His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (1 Peter 1:3).”

“And in Him you have been made complete (Colossians 2:10).”

“(He) has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).”

God doesn’t give commands or qualifications without the spiritual ability to fulfill them in Christ, through His Spirit, and by His Word. We have all we need, every one of us.

So rather than look at the list of qualifications and give up, aspire to be like Christ. It is the call of every Christian. Godliness is something at which every Christian can excel.