In your paragraph three, you state that Having reared children in the home successfully is one of the qualifications to become an elder. I could not find that qualification in Timothy or Titus. Paul wrote to Titus and said, in Titus 1:6, “namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.” The “having children who believe” is present active tense in the Greek, not Past tense as your statement says, “Having reared.” The qualification concerning believing children is something that is going on at the time the man is qualified. If it is not a “present” characteristic, then the man does not meet God’s qualifications. As a matter of fact, it is a present qualification just as the “must be” in verse 7. Is there a difference between becoming qualified and perpetually qualifying for something.? Think about it, with regard to the qualifications listed in verses 7-9 of Titus 1. If a man at one time was “not self-willed,” but then becomes self-willed, is he qualified? What about a man that was “not addicted to wine,” but then becomes addicted to wine, is he qualified? Does the man have to “qualify” or “perpetually qualify” to serve as an elder? Are we going beyond God’s qualifications if we disqualify a man who is “fond of sordid gain” because in the past he was “not fond of sordid gain?” Have we disarmed God’s Word respecting congregational leadership by looking for the perfect men with perfect families. Do we ask for too much and more than God’s Word ever anticipated. I don’t believe so, I believe that we have only asked for what God’s Word reveals. ~ George Sinkie
Admittedly, all of the qualifications for elders that are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 must be presently characteristic of anyone at the time of his appointment to the eldership to be in accordance with the will of God (Titus 1:5). Admittedly, the qualifications respecting the character and conduct of elders must be perpetual characteristics of elders to be in accordance with the will of God. The questions before us is: Does “having faithful children” mean that all of his children must be perpetually faithful, even when they no longer live in the elder’s home, for an elder to remain qualified to be an elder? The verses that concern this query are as follows.
“One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
“If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly” (Titus 1:6).
There is a distinction in the qualifications for one’s appointment to the eldership between experience and character. Whereas obviously one’s character must always conform to the ideals God caused to be listed in the qualifications for elders, one’s experience in governing his family does not dissipate once attained. Further, the father does not have the same degree of control or responsibility over grown children who no longer live in his home as he did when they resided under his roof. First Timothy 3:4-5 specifically cites the successful experience in governing one’s home prepares an elder to govern (with other elders) a congregation. The fact of a father’s ongoing successful governing of his home here lies within the context of one’s appointment to the eldership. That is the extent to which this requirement is imposed and the Scripture does not extend it beyond this scope.
