Page 21 - The Church and Education PDF Pro

responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5This
proposal pleased the whole group. They chose….

As the church grew, internal conflict arose, so modification of the leadership style was necessary. In this
passage, the apostles decided that they needed to concentrate on study and prayer in the Word, so they
asked the believers to select from among themselves leaders who would serve them. And the believers
made the selections. In Titus and Timothy, qualifications were detailed for those who are in leadership
of the church. The qualifications were broken down to two groups of leaders: overseers or elders
(pastors) and deacons.

Elder Qualifications:
I Timothy 3: 2-7 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, 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 and see that his children obey
him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his
own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become
conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with
outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

Titus 1: 6-9 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not
open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must
be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing
dishonest gain. 8Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled,
upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so
that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Deacon Qualifications:
I Timothy 3: 8-13 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much
wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear
conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as
deacons. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household
well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ
Jesus.

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The 1 Century churches paid wages to those elders who taught them (hired staff). While Paul did not
take payment for his ministry, he did receive offerings to assist him and often carried offerings to others
in need.

I Timothy 5:17-18 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,
especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while
it is treading out the grain, and “The worker deserves his wages.”

Peter gives further instruction to the elders as they provide leadership to the church.

I Peter 5: 2-4 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because
you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to
serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief
Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

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