Ing to Scripture, church elders were expected to follow specific instructions. Some qualifications were being blameless, faithful, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
Their responsibilities are to preach and teach, preside at the celebration of the sacraments, administer the church through pastoral guidance, and lead the congregations under their care in service ministry to the world.
However, in an elder-led system the elders make decisions that are approved or denied by the congregation through a congregational vote. In an elder-rule church no congregational approval is needed in order for the elders to make a decision within the sphere of authority God has granted them (see Question #5).
The single, overarching qualification of which the rest are supportive is that he is to be “above reproach.” That is, he must be a leader who cannot be accused of anything sinful because he has a sustained reputation for blamelessness.
The appointment is the congregation's recognition or affirmation that a prospective elder possesses the biblical qualifications found in 1 Tim. –7 and Titus –9. It is the acknowledgment, “This man is biblically qualified and evidently a gift of Christ to our church” (Eph. ).
To be an elder is to be a pastor, and to be a pastor is to be an elder. The only potential difference is that a pastor is employed to “work hard at preaching and teaching,” (1 Tim ) whereas an elder takes on the same responsibility but alongside his day-to-day employment.
What Are the Qualifications of an Elder? Character Matters. The elder is to be above reproach or blameless. Self-Control Matters. This person should be able to control their anger, their appetites, and their attitudes. Maturity Matters. Sound Doctrine and the Ability to Teach Matters. Care for People Matters.
In Acts , he refers to them as having been made overseers by the Holy Spirit. In his sermon to them, he exhorts them to care for the church. The Greek word behind that work care is shepherd, which is where we get our word pastor. So, elder, overseer, and pastor are all describing the same office, the same role.