Seventh-Day Adventist Elder Guide Qualifications Of Elders

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Elders Handbook: Elder's Qualifications

Seventh-Day Adventist Elders Handbook Study Guide To Chapter 2 The Elder's Call And Qualifications

Subjects > Religion > Seventh-day Adventist > Seventh-Day Adventist Elders Handbook Study Guide
Page 37

Qualifications expected from elders:

• Committed to Christ
• Example to members
• Leader of members
• Enabler of members

Committed To Christ

• Total Commitment
• Daily Commitment
• Time Commitment

Example to members

• "Those who are appointed to guard the spiritual interests of the church should be careful to set the right example, giving no occassion for envy, jealousy or suspicion, ever manifesting that same spirit of love, respect, and courtesy which they desire to encourage in the brethren." (Testimonies Vol. 5, p. 241)

Right example includes

• Support church doctrine
  • "Speak things which are proper for sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1)
    • Never undermine the faith of the people with public doubts
    • Elders must uphold the church with sound, Christ-centered, doctrine
• Maintain strong family relationships
  • The elder should be "one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)" (1 Tim 3:4, 5)
  • "The greatest evidence of the power of Christianity that can be presented to the world is a well ordered, well disciplined family. This will recommend the truth as nothing else can, for it is a living witness of its practical power upon the heart." (Adventist Home, p. 32)
• Be sexually pure
  • "Be an example...in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12)
  • Ways to avoid sexual indiscretion:
    • Be in love with your spouse
    • Aware of own vulnerability
    • Cautious of conseling the opposite sex, especially in intimate matters
    • Being spiritually strong
    • Remember that adultery is sin against yourself, your family, and against your God.
• Overcome racial prejudice
  • "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal 3:28)
• Be an exemplary giver
  • Members who do not return a faithful tithe should not be elected as elder.
• Admit your mistakes
  • The only unpardonable sin is the unconfessed sin. Remember, God freely forgives sins we confess.

Remember that it is God that empowers you to keep the high standards.

"Said the inspired apostle: 'Lay hands suddenly on no man.' In some of our churches the work of organizing and of ordaining elders has been premature; the Bible rule has been disregarded, and consequently grievous trouble has been brought upon the church. There should not be so great haste in electing leaders as to ordain men who are in no way fitted for responsible work" (Testimonies vol 5, p. 617)

Leader of members

Romans 12:8 - Lists the gifts of the spirit, including leadership.

Definition of leadership: "Giving direction to God's people so they work together to accomplish what God would have them accomplish."

• Love your members
  • It can be very difficult to love some members
  • Jesus reaction to the multitudes: "He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd" (Matt 9:36)

• Unite your members

• Consult your members

• Follow your leaders
  • "Men who move in accordance with their own strong traits of character, refusing to yoke up with others who have had a long experience in the work of God, will become blinded by self-confidence, unable to discern between the false and the true. It is not safe for such ones to be chosen as leaders in the church; for they would follow their own judgment and plans, regardless of the judgment of their brethren" (The Acts of the Apostles, P. 279)

Enabler of members

Other sections in this chapter:

• Calling and Election
• Job Description
• Qualifications
• Ordination
• Study Guide
• Break Out Session

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