The officers of the church will take the lead in the great task given for holy service and witness bearing, for better or for worse. May the Lord grant His bride qualified men to guide her well, and may He give the members grace to identify them.

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons…
~ Philippians 1:1 ~

Physical appearance matters. Although not everything, how someone looks provides important, initial information people use to make decisions. Gauging spiritual anatomy is another matter. It takes time, prayer, discernment, and patience. It requires some knowledge of the Word of God and the Spirit-led ability to apply it in real life situations. As a congregation considers men for nomination to holy office in the church, it must pay close attention to several features of “spiritual anatomy.” Here are three traits for elders and deacons, respectively, that ought to help guide a congregation in its search for men to lead. The reflection will close with a brief consideration of two requirements common to both offices.

The Anatomy of an Elder

Many have said that a congregation will never rise above the spirituality and maturity of its elders. As rulers in the church of Jesus Christ, elders have the unceasing pressure and privilege of overseeing the flock of God. In His wisdom and kindness, Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, has given the sheep the responsibility of identifying and electing their own shepherds (Acts 1:21-23, 14:23). While sizing up a potential elder, consider the following:

1) Starting at the head, look for a prospective elder who has a spiritual mind. Paul’s heavenly aim produced his unmatchable zeal for the church. He unceasingly emphasized the realities of the Kingdom of God, the Day of Judgment, and the well-being of the church. His fixation upon the priority of the unseen drove him to declare the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), enabled him to see the warfare to which Christ called the church (Eph. 6:12-20), and motivated his tireless labor (Col. 1:28-29). Taking Paul as a model in this case, look for a potential elder who orients his mind toward spiritual truth. The church desperately needs men whose minds are on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth (Col. 3:2). Only those men whose minds are captivated with the glory of heaven will rule in a manner worthy of the heavenly King.

2) Next, a potential ruler in a congregation must possess a wise tongue. The elder’s work, without exception, requires him to speak the Word of God. Whether teaching truth or correcting error, encouraging the weak or rebuking the proud—wisdom is the great need (Isa. 50:4). As surely as a soft answer turns away wrath, a harsh word stirs up anger (Prov. 15:1). Like a sword, words can wound, and, as a salve, they heal (Prov. 12:18). They can build up and they can tear down (Eph. 4:29, Jas. 3:5). When considering elder nominees, reflect on these questions: Does this man have a tongue eager to speak of the Lord (Ps. 45:1-5)? Has he gone out of his way to encourage me or my brethren? Am I willing to receive his rebukes as oil for my head (Ps. 141:5)? Will his wounds be faithful (Prov. 27:5-6)? Does he know when to speak and when to be silent (Prov. 26:4-5)? No man in this life attains perfection, and no pre-heaven elder in the church will. Nevertheless, a man fit for the eldership must be able and willing to speak with the tongue of the wise (Titus 1:9).

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