Appendix 2. Qualifications of Church Leaders
(1 Timothy 3:2-12; Titus 1:6-9)

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Audio 5:23 | PDF Version

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Overseers (1 Timothy 3:2-7)

Elders (Titus 1:6-9)

Deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-12)
General reputation
respectable (2)   worthy of respect (8),
worthy of respect (11) (wives/deaconesses)
good reputation with outsiders (7)    
Marriage and Family
husband of but one wife (2) husband of but one wife (6) husband of but one wife (12)
manage his own family well, children obey with proper respect (4-5) children are believers and not wild or disobedient (6) manage his children and household well (12)
hospitable (2) hospitable (8)  
Basic Character
above reproach (2) blameless (6, 7) nothing against them (10)
    trustworthy in everything (11) (wives/deaconesses)
 

loves what is good (8), upright (8), holy (8), disciplines (8)

  
not a recent convert (6)   tested first (10)
Personal Traits and Habits
temperate (2)   temperate (11) (wives/deaconesses)
self-controlled (2) self-controlled (8)  
    not malicious talkers (11) (wives/deaconesses)
    sincere (8)
not given to drunkenness (3) not indulging in much wine (8) not given to drunkenness (7)
not violent but gentle (3) not violent (7)  
not quarrelsome (3) not quick-tempered (7)  
  not overbearing (7)  
not a lover of money (3) not pursuing dishonest gain (7) not pursuing dishonest gain (8)
Doctrinal Fidelity
  hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught (9) hold the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience (9)
able to teach (2) encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it (10)  

1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: Discipleship and Leadership Lessons from the Pastoral Epistles

 

Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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Jesus' Parables for Disciples, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Discipleship for New Believers


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