Ask Your Preacher - Archives
“Double Dipping?”
Categories: THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHCan a preacher be an elder? Specifically, can he be an elder in a very small congregation where there are only two elders (one being the preacher)? Seems like a conflict of interest if 50% of the leadership of the church is also employed by the church to preach.Sincerely,
Second Thoughts
Dear Second Thoughts,
Yes, a preacher can be an elder… even if he and only one other man are the eldership. Any man can be an elder if he meets the qualifications of 1 Tim 3:1-7 and Tit 1:5-9. If a man meets those qualifications, you don’t need to have any worries about a conflict of interest… his interests will be godly because he has proven himself to be a godly man. An elder must not be greedy (1 Tim 3:3); he must be selfless (Tit 1:7), and he must be humble (1 Tim 3:6). If a man has these character traits, there is no worry of him abusing the power of the position. Many men have abused the power of the eldership, but that just shows that many men lack the qualities necessary to be an elder – this is true of preachers and non-preachers. Congregations must be careful to choose wise and godly men who will not lord their authority over the flock (1 Pet 5:2-3). When looking for elders, don’t ask whether or not the man is a preacher… ask whether or not he is qualified.
