Feed the Sheep – Fight the Wolves
On Sunday, we spent time unpacking Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders and were reminded of the high and holy calling that God places on pastoral leadership. At Port City, we take this calling with deep seriousness and humility. The process of identifying and appointing elders is neither quick nor casual—it is intentional, prayerful, and rooted in Scripture.
As a church, our desire is to follow the biblical pattern for leadership, ensuring that anyone serving as an elder is earnestly pursuing the character and example God outlines in His Word. Below you’ll find a helpful summary of the key passages that shape our understanding of biblical eldership.
This resource comes from my friend and fellow pastor, Dayton Hartman, who serves at Redeemer Church in Rocky Mount, NC. Dayton has been a great gift to the wider church and has personally helped me think more deeply about the role and responsibility of pastoral ministry. He’s also challenged and encouraged me in how I understand God’s calling on my own life.
I invite you to take a look at this resource and use it as a guide to pray for the pastors and elders God has placed over your souls.
– Pastor Jeremy
The following is an excerpt from Lies Pastors Believe by Dayton Hartman.
Above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)
He must be an exemplar of biblical manhood.
He must live his life in such a way that it would be difficult to ever accuse him of wrong doing in his private life, married life, or career life.
The husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)
He must be a “one-woman man”.
He must be committed to his wife (if he is uncommitted to her, he will be uncommitted to the bride of Christ).
He must not be unfaithful to his wife physically.
He must not be unfaithful to his wife emotionally.
He must not be lustful over other women (i.e., must not consume pornography or sexually enticing material). This is very serious. When examining a man, steps must be taken to ensure he is not consuming such material. Questions should be asked about movies he watches and other media content he regularly consumes.
He must not be unfaithful to his wife by directing all his time and energies into his career, hobbies, or ministry.
Sober-minded (1 Tim. 3:2)
He must be a clear thinker.
He must be able to clearly articulate difficult biblical concepts.
He must consume good biblical content for the sharpening of his mind.
He must have largely settled in his own mind many of the big theological questions of our day (i.e., election and predestination, the nature of the church, the Trinity, the incarnation, his overall theological system).
Self-controlled (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:8)
He must exhibit a mind and lifestyle driven by the Scriptures and logical thinking.
He cannot be driven by his emotions or given to emotional outbursts.
His lifestyle and track record must demonstrate strong decision-making abilities.
He cannot exhibit a haphazard record in his employment history. This means that if he has a history of short periods of employment with one company or another, there may be concerns ( but obviously there can be mitigating circumstances involved).
He must demonstrate self-control in his ministry service. If there is a consistent record of jumping from one ministry capacity to another, this could be a concern.
He must not be impulsive in his finances.
He must demonstrate a lifestyle of common sense thinking, particularly in areas of life management ( family life, financial life, and career life).
Respectable (1 Tim. 3:2)
He must exhibit an attitude of taking responsibilities seriously.
He must manage his time well (i.e., he must not often be late and/or unprepared.
Others must take him and his wife seriously.
Others must think his advice carries weight.
He must back up his words with actions and follow-through.
His life must exhibit signs of orderliness and self-discipline.
Hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:8)
He uses his home as a base for ministry.
He is cheerful, gracious, and kind.
He makes a visible effort to reach out to new people and make them feel comfortable.
His wife also does the above.
Able to teach (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:8)
He can clearly communicate the teachings of Scripture.
He must exhibit a lifestyle of discipleship.
He must be known for using the Scriptures in calling the lost to faith.
Not a drunkard (1 Tim. 3:3, Titus 1:7)
He uses his Christian freedom wisely.
He has not allowed any sin to master him.
He is not addicted to any mind-altering substance, whether legal or illegal.
Not violent but gentle (1 Tim. 3:3)
He is able to maintain visible Christian love for those who have personally offended him or attacked him.
He is a peacemaker.
His life is not filled with “drama” of any kind.
He handles criticism well.
He “lets things go” after they have been resolved.
Not quarrelsome (1 Tim. 3:3)
He does not argue with those in authority over him (his pastor, his boss, and so on).
He demonstrates a teachable spirit.
He is gracious toward people he disagrees with.
His presence promotes unity, not disunity.
Not a lover of money (1 Tim. 3:3, Titus 1:7)
He does not exhibit a greedy heart.
He is not willing to compromise his convictions in order to benefit financially.
His service to the church is not motivated by financial gain.
He gives generously of his financial resources to the church.
He values ministering to people more than the idea of holding a paid position at a church.
Manages his household well (1 Tim. 3:4, Titus 1:6)
He possesses organizational abilities.
He manages the affairs of his family well.
He has a good financial plan for caring for his family.
He maintains a budget in his home.
His wife respects him and speaks well of him publicly and privately.
He leads his home spiritually.
Keeps his children submissive (1 Tim. 3:4, Titus 1:6)
His children respect him.
He does not have adult children living in his home who are unbelievers in rebellion.
His children’s lives exhibit evidence that he is a loving father.
Able to care for God’s church (1 Tim. 3:5)
He possesses life-management and organizational abilities.
His life is not in disarray.
He exhibits the ability to manage his own life, household, budget, family, career, and so on.
Not a recent convert (1 Tim. 3:6)
He has a faith that has been tested over time.
He has, over a period of years, produced fruit that demonstrates regeneration.
Well thought of by outsiders (1 Tim. 3:7)
The unbelievers in his life respect him and his family.
He is honest in his personal dealings.
His social life reflects gospel centrality.
His neighbors think well of him.
Not arrogant (Titus 1:7)
He is a “team player” in carrying out the mission of the church.
He does not desire to serve as an elder because of any perceived entitlement to that role.
His motivations to serve as an elder reflect a burden to shepherd hearts, not a desire to have a title.
He asks for advice in making decisions.
He is teachable.
Not quick-tempered (Titus 1:7)
He is not driven by his emotions.
He demonstrates control of his emotions, even in stressful situations.
He is quick to forgive.
He does not punish his children in anger.
Love of good (Titus 1:8)
He loves things that point to Jesus.
He has an optimistic view of life because of the gospel.
Upright (Titus 1:8)
He deals fairly with people.
He is willing to make a difficult but godly decision, even if it will bring criticism.
Holy (Titus 1:8)
He exhibits a strong prayer life.
He pursues Christlike holiness.
He has a healthy diet of Scripture in his private life.
He puts to death the sins in his life.
Disciplined (Titus 1:8)
He accomplishes tasks on time.
He is dependable.
He arrives to meetings and appointments on time.
He manages his time well.
Able to give instruction in sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it (Titus 1:9)
He can define biblical doctrine.
He shares the same theological understanding as the teaching/preaching pastor.
He has a solid understanding of the “big picture” of the Scriptures.
