Elder Selection
It has been the practice at Memorial Road to add elders at regular intervals. We are committed to providing spiritual oversight and shepherding to our members.
We believe the biblical role of elders is to provide spiritual leadership, safeguard doctrine, and conduct the affairs of the church. The scriptures set forth qualifications that identify men who are devoted to God, their families, and the church. Also, remember to not overlook well-qualified men who may be younger or from diverse backgrounds.
Every member is urged to participate in this selection process by studying the scriptures, praying, and recommending the names of those you believe should receive careful consideration. Recommendation forms will be available Dec. 1 and must be returned by Dec. 15 at 6 pm. All of this is to be done in faithfulness to God’s word and with sensitivity and concern for all members.
Elder Qualifications
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
1 Timothy 3:1-7An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by
sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Titus 1:6-9Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:2-3
Please read and study the qualifications from the scriptures above as you prepare to submit names. Though different persons may meet the qualifications to differing degrees, if a person clearly does not meet every qualification to a satisfactory degree, the name should not be submitted.
Recommend as many persons as you believe are qualified and have demonstrated shepherding skills. Please see the Elder FAQ for more information about the process.