ELDERS

From the St. Paul's By-Laws, dated February 22, 1998

The Board of Elders is composed of the six elected Elders and the Pastor ex-officio, with Elder #1 serving as the Head Elder. It shall be the responsibility of the elders to encourage, assist and pray for the Pastor, be concerned with his welfare, and help and further his work in every possible way; for example, in visiting the sick, keeping order and discipline throughout the congregation, and preserving purity of doctrine and peace within the congregation. They shall also be concerned with the spiritual welfare of the congregation, regularly reviewing public worship attendance and the use of the Sacraments by members of the congregation. They shall notify the Pastor of the sick, spiritually distressed, and other members in need of spiritual care. The elders shall also accompany the Pastor while making calls, if he so desires, and make calls in his stead when he is absent or unable. In the absence of the Pastor, or his inability to act, or during a vacancy, they should be diligent in securing the services of a substitute LCMS Pastor or teacher, or when that is not possible they should conduct the regular services, and should deliver a prepared sermon sound in LCMS doctrine and approved by an LCMS Pastor.

Biblical qualifications for an Elder

A male communicant member of the congregation who meets the Biblical qualifications for the position of Elder as stated in 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1 below. Anyone desiring to serve as an Elder should meet the Scriptural qualifications for this office and seek counsel from the Pastor and Elders.

1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers   

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Therefore an overseer[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,[b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons   

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[c] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11Their wives[d] likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Titus 1  

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.   

Qualifications for Elders   

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you-- 6if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,[e] and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer,[f] as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[g] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.