Big Picture: The chief characteristic of the Christian pastor, the Christian elder, the Christian overseer is that his life constantly reflects the Christian virtues that are mandated of all Christians.

1. What a biblical elder is not:

• an older Christian
• a successful businessman
• a likable guy
• a woman

2. What is a biblical elder? That question can be answered first in terms of the office, and second, in terms of the man.

• The office of elder is an office designed for the leadership of the church through the teaching of the Word.
• The character of the man who qualifies to fulfill that office is described in 1Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
• An elder is simply a man of exemplary, Christ-like character who is able to lead God’s people by teaching them God’s Word in a way that profits them spiritually.

3. The character of the man who qualifies to fill the office of overseer (1 Tim. 3:1-7)

• above reproach (blameless)
• faithful to his 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
• he must not be a recent convert
• he must have a good reputation with non-Christians