Stephen Arters - elder.gif - 1/13/08

Our church rules!

-Sergio =)

This is a great message that challenges every believer toward righteous living. I consider this message to be a "must listen to and must do" for every christian. If every christian followed and attained all of these qualifications than they are one step "Closer to Complete." May God bless this message to every listener and doer.

Eliezer Hernandez

• The qualifications of an elder are not higher than what is expected from any follower of Christ, rather they are to be the example of a follower of Christ:
• An Elder must be able to handle his family
  • Above Reproach as a family man
  • Faithful to his wife “a one-woman man”
  • Exhibits obedience to Christ’s instructions concerning marriage and lust
  • Leading his children to faith, not rebellion
  • Exhibits the ability to lead others to follow Christ’s instructions.
• An Elder must be able to handle authority
  • He can’t lead to please himself
  • His will needs to be aligned with the Father
  • He can’t lead by natural emotions
  • God is “slow to anger and abounding in love”
  • He can’t lead if numbed by alcohol or drugs
  • He should be filled with the Holy Spirit
  • He can’t lead by coercion or manipulation
  • He shares the same Master with the church
  • He can’t lead by dishonest means
  • Use of money reveals spiritual trustworthiness
• An Elder must be able to handle himself
  • He makes strangers feel welcome.
  • He loves things that are good, pleasant, honorable.
  • He thinks clearly and rationally.
  • He lives righteously before God.
  • His life is different than an ordinary person.
  • He has mastery over his own body.
• An Elder must be able to handle the Word
  • He holds strongly to the historic gospel.
  • He urges, comforts, and encourages sound doctrine.
  • He speaks the truth about sin to those who do not have sound doctrine.