Daily Christian Journey

Assessing a Prospective Elder’s Teaching Ability

When evaluating a candidate for pastoral leadership, one crucial qualification to consider is their teaching ability. In 1 Timothy 3:2, Paul emphasizes the importance of being “able to teach” – a gift that involves communicating and applying Scripture with clarity, coherence, and fruitfulness.

Creating Opportunities to Teach

To assess a prospective elder’s teaching ability, churches should provide opportunities for them to teach in various settings, such as Sunday school, mid-week Bible studies, or training workshops. This allows pastors and congregations to observe and affirm the individual’s teaching gifts.

Evaluating Teaching Ability

When assessing a prospective elder’s teaching ability, consider the following factors:

1. Skill in interpreting and communicating Scripture: Can they clearly and effectively convey biblical ideas?
2. Pastoral sensibility: Do they demonstrate an understanding of the congregation’s needs and concerns?
3. Commitment to exposition: Do they align with the church’s preaching philosophy and approach to teaching?
4. Edification of others: Do members of the congregation benefit from their teaching and find it spiritually nourishing?
5. Discipleship: Are they able to help others grow in Christ through one-on-one discipleship or small group settings?
6. Theological maturity: Do they possess a deep understanding of biblical doctrine and support the church’s theological distinctives?
7. Ability to defend the faith: Can they gently and patiently correct error and preserve the truth?
8. Teachability: Are they humble and willing to receive instruction and feedback from others?

The Importance of Reliable Teachers

Appointing a prospective elder who cannot teach is like channeling pure milk through rusty pipes – it can lead to spiritual malnutrition and harm to the congregation. Therefore, it is essential to carefully evaluate a candidate’s teaching ability and ensure they are reliable and faithful in their handling of God’s Word.

By considering these factors and creating opportunities for prospective elders to teach, churches can identify and develop qualified leaders who will faithfully serve and nourish their congregations.