In this episode of Focused on Christ, Pastors Mike Crump and Nathan Smith explore how God calls people to ministry, emphasizing a desire to serve the church and teach the Bible. They explain that elders are shepherds who must be exemplary Christians, devoting themselves to teaching, leading, and caring for the congregation. The episode also dives into qualifications outlined in the Bible, including a blameless reputation, teaching ability, and managing one’s household well. Finally, the show stresses why qualifications matter to church members, who should hold their elders accountable and ensure they are following biblical guidelines.
Here are the key points:
- Calling to ministry:
- There is no single way to be called to ministry.
- Some people feel a discontentment with their current situation and a yearning to be involved in the church.
- Others have a strong desire to teach God’s word.
- Roles of elders:
- Elders are shepherds of the church.
- They teach and proclaim the truth.
- They should be examples of Christ-like character.
- They care for the people in the church.
- Qualifications of elders:
- They must desire the role.
- They must be above reproach (their life should be beyond accusation).
- They must be qualified teachers of scripture.
- They typically are husbands of one wife. (There is discussion about how to interpret this qualification for divorced men).
- There are other qualifications listed in the Bible, such as not being a drunkard, being hospitable, and managing their household well.
- Why it matters to church members:
- Church members should care about the qualifications of their elders because they are entrusted with guiding the church.
- Knowing the qualifications helps members hold their elders accountable.
- It also helps members know what to look for in elders at other churches.