Church Leadership:

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Church Leadership Can You Spot An Elder?
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1 Timothy 31-7 It is a trustworthy statement
if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it
is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer,
then, must be above reproach, (no grounds for
accusation) the husband of one wife (one woman
type of man), temperate (self-controlled and
clear thinking),
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prudent (not given to extremes), respectable
(dignified and disciplined life), hospitable
(readily receptive and showing love to others)
able to teach (capable and qualified teacher)
not addicted to wine (not given to drink) or
pugnacious (not inclined to bully, quarrel or
fight)
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but gentle (gracious and yielding), peaceable
(forbearing and uncontentious), free from the
love of money (not greedy for money). He must
be one who manages his own household well,
keeping his children under control with all
dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage
his own household, how will he take care of the
church of God?)
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6 and not a new convert so that he will not
become conceited and fall into the condemnation
incurred by the devil. (Not a beginner in the
faith, but his faithfulness has had time to be
tested) 7 And he must have a good reputation
with those outside the church, so that he will
not fall into reproach and the snare of the
devil.
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Titus 16-9 For this reason I left you in Crete,
that you would set in order what remains and
appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
namely, if any man is above reproach
(unquestionable integrity), the husband of one
wife, having children who believe, not accused of
dissipation or rebellion.
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For the overseer must be above reproach as God's
steward, not self-willed (not headstrong but
a team player), not quick-tempered, (not
irritable, short-fused, hot-tempered) not
addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of
sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good,
sensible (sound judgment), just
(fair-minded),
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devout (holy and pleasing to God),
self-controlled (having power over oneself, not
mastered by self or world), holding fast the
faithful word (devoted to Word) which is in
accordance with the teaching, so that he will be
able both to exhort (instruct, admonish,
encourage) in sound doctrine and to refute those
who contradict (show the wayward their error.)
Titus 16-9
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• Five basic BIBLICAL qualifications of an elder

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1. CHARACTER. An overseer, then, must be above
reproach. The elder must possess exemplary
character. The disciple grows in three
areas Being, Knowing, Doing. But what I am
conditions what I will do with what I
know. Effective public Christian ministry is a
function of personal godliness.
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King David From the care of the ewes with
suckling lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob
His people, And Israel His inheritance. So he
shepherded them according to the integrity of his
heart, And guided them with his skillful hands.
Psalm 7871,72 Elder Man of
INTEGRITY HIGH MORALITY HUMILITY
HOSPITALITY HONESTY HARMONY
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2. Biblical COMPULSION. Therefore, I exhort the
elders among you, as your fellow elder and
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a
partaker also of the glory that is to be
revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you,
exercising oversight not under compulsion, but
voluntarily, according to the will of God and
not for sordid gain, but with eagerness nor yet
as lording it over those allotted to your charge,
but proving to be examples to the flock. And when
the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the
unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 51-4
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• An elder serves not under compulsion because he
  cant get out of it - but voluntarily.
• B. An elder serves not because of what hell get,
  but because of he is being called to give.
• C. An elder serves not from a desire for power
  and control, but from a passion for pastoral
  care.
• D. An elder serves not to get praise from men,
  but with a view to the unfading crown of glory.

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3. Under Gods CONTROL. Temperate and
moderate, controlled by the Spirit, not by wine,
lust or the pull of the world.
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• 4. COMPETENT.
• holding fast the faithful word (devoted to the
  Word of God) which is in accordance with the
  teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort
  (instruct, admonish, encourage) in sound doctrine
  and to refute those who contradict (show the
  wayward their error). Titus 19

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Eldership is not an entry level training ground,
but an office for service by proven men. They
must possess a knowledge of Scripture to help the
flock understand and apply it to daily life in
common settings or in a basic counseling
setting. They also must know basic doctrines,
and basic ministry skills of management and
leadership, to faithfully oversee people and
projects in the church allotted to them.
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5. COMMENDATION. Do they have a good reputation
with those in the church? but proving to be
examples to the flock. 1 Peter
23 Remember those who led you, who spoke the
word of God to you and considering the result of
their conduct, imitate their faith. Hebrews
137
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• Do they have a good reputation with those outside
  the church?
• And he must have a good reputation with those
  outside the church, so that he will not fall into
  reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Tim 37
• Can You Spot A leader?
• 1) www.HitTheRiver.com Take E.Q.Test
• 2) Email me at Larry_at_HitTheRiver.com with
  feedback
• 3) Pray over next 30 days for God to confirm
  this.