Qualifications: Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

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Office: Elders (also known as pastors) are those men whom the congregation chooses to watch over them spiritually, to lead them in the public worship of God, to feed them the Word of God both publicly and privately, to administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and to guard the church from doctrinal or practical dangers.  These elders are to be chosen in accordance with the requirements for such an office which are set forth in Scripture (e.g., 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5, etc.).  A plurality of elders is not only the Biblical pattern, but also a true blessing from the Lord.  These elders may differ from one another in experience and gifts, and one or two may labor more often in the preaching ministry than the others, but they are all equal in authority and title.  The Apostle Paul teaches in Ephesians 4 that pastors and teachers are gifts from the exalted Christ to His church and are therefore to be highly esteemed for their work’s sake.