Marsha's Musings: Qualifications of Elders/Bishops (Titus 1:5-9 NKJV)

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— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 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, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 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. (Titus 1:5-9 NKJV)

Basically, the terms elder, bishop and pastor are interchangeable if my understanding is correct.  So here are the qualifications:

1. Blameless

2. Husband of one wife

3. Havingfaithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

4. Not self-willed

5. Not quick tempered

6. Not given to wine

7. Not violent

8. Not greedy for money

9. Hospitable

10. Lover of what is good

11. Sober-minded

12. Just

13. Holy

14. Self-controlled

15. Holding fast the faithful word

16. Able by sound doctrine to exhort and convict those who contradict

That is quite a list!  Our pastors and church leaders have quite a big responsibility on their shoulders to maintain.  They need our prayers!