Elder Qualifications

"Believing" Children - Titus 1:6

In Paul’s epistle to Titus, he lists the qualifications for elders beginning in Titus 1:6. One of those qualifications is: “having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion” (NASB).

Clarifying passage in 1 Timothy 3:4-5: “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)” 1 Ti 3:4-5 (NASB).

Recognizing that there are good men on either side of the interpretive issue of “children who believe” versus “children who are faithful,” we agree to support the Grace Community Church position on this elder qualification as follows:

Concerning children in the home:

A man meets this qualification if his children:

  1. Are believers in Christ and not given to dissipation or rebellion
  2. Have not yet made a profession of faith but are trustworthy in behavior, that is, responsive to the authority of their parents (1 Tim 3:4-5)

A man does not meet this qualification if he has a child who:

  1. Is a professing believer in Christ but not under control (1 Tim 3:4-5)
  2. Is an unbeliever who openly professes rejection of Christ and/or is given to dissipation or rebellion

Concerning children no longer in the home:

A man meets this qualification if his children:

  1. Are believers in Christ
  2. Are unbelievers yet do not destroy his good reputation with those in or outside the church (1 Tim 3:7)

A man does not meet this qualification if his children:

  1. Destroy his good reputation with those within or outside the church (1 Tim 3:7)

This qualification, as all others, must be reviewed in the context of the total life and character of the man