| Biblical Qualifications for Credentialing |
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Although the Scriptures do not directly refer to the credentialing process, the New Testament apostles created criteria in order to facilitate church structure (i.e. elders, deacons, “five-fold ministry”). These qualifications address not only spiritual and character issues, but relational and educational issues as well. The following list is a summary of key Scripture passages that focus on church leadership.
1 Timothy 3 · Must be above reproach
· Married to one spouse
· Temperate
· Self-controlled
· Respectable
· Hospitable
· Able to teach
· Not given to drunkenness
· Not violent but gentle
· Not quarrelsome
· Not a lover of money
· Must manage his own family well – his children obey him with proper respect.
· Not a recent convert
· Has a good reputation with outsiders
Titus 1 · Must be blameless
· Married to one spouse
· Whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient
· Not overbearing
· Not quick tempered
· Not given to drunkenness
· Not violent
· Does not pursue dishonest gain
· Hospitable
· One who loves what is good
· Self-controlled
· Upright, holy and disciplined
· Holds to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine & refute those who oppose it.
Acts 6 · Known to be full of the Holy Spirit.
· Full of wisdom.
· Highly respected and of a tested character
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