My responsibility as a professor at Bethlehem College & Seminary includes training elder-qualified men in our seminary. What does it mean to be elder-qualified?
Jeramie Rinne answers that question with six statements in Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus (9Marks; Wheaton: Crossway, 2014), 19–29.
You know you’re qualified to serve as an elder if . . .
- You want to be an elder.
- You exemplify godly character.
- You can teach the Bible.
- You lead your family well.
- You are male.
- You are an established believer.
Rinne unpacks each statement in his short, well-reasoned book.
Related:
It seems that he might be missing a statement here…but maybe he addresses this within the other statements, but it seems that he is missing the “Other people agree with him” statement. Without that that confirmation we continue to fill the church with self called men, who last for 2-5 years and are done—it really is unhealthy. That is one thing I appreciated about Dave Harvey’s book, Am I Called? He says the potential pastor needs to ask the question regarding his call, “Who agrees?”
You qualify, “But maybe he addresses this within the other statements.” That’s right (if I recall correctly).