Any male candidate seeking the noble task of an overseer (Elder) must evidence and be committed to the following characteristics of Christian maturity as expressed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

1. To Be Above Reproach - A man of good reputation, not liable to criticism, above reproach.
2. To Be the Husband of One Wife - A man completely and totally consecrated and devoted to his wife. One morally pure in close, intimate relationship with her.
3. To Be Temperate - A man who has a clear perspective on life, sober, remaining stable and steadfast with a biblical, spiritual orientation.
4. To Be Self-Controlled - A man of sound mind and judgment, prudent and sensible in thought, with a proper view of the grace of God. A man not enslaved to addictive behaviors.
5. To Be Respectable - A man who is living a well-ordered life, well-behaved, of good behavior and good report.
6. To Be Hospitable - A man whose basic motive is loving strangers, willing to reach out to others, demonstrating acts of love, opening his home and sharing his resources.
7. To Be Able To Teach - A man who demonstrates teachability as well as ability to teach, one with deep convictions regarding the authenticity and accuracy of the Word of God and skilled to refute those who contradict the Holy Scriptures.
8. Not To Be Given To Drunkenness - A man who does not linger beside wine, not addicted to much wine. Not abusive in this way, but rather known by sobriety.
9. Not To Be Violent - A man who does not exhibit irrational behavior, does not physically strike out at others or does not verbally abuse others.
10. To Be Gentle - A man who displays sweet reasonableness, graciousness, forbearance and consideration. One characterized by meekness and kindness.
11. Not To Be Quarrelsome - A man not given to argument, contentiousness. To abstain from fighting and to work toward peaceful settlement, the building up of one another.
12. Not To Be a Lover of Money - A man who is free from the influence of money, not a seeker of profit. To avoid focus on the material side of life to the loss of spiritual perspective.
13. To Manage His Own Household Well - A man of proven ability to manage the affairs of his household, revealing a capacity to oversee and lead. A well ordered household is a true test of mature oversight.
14. To Be Respected by His Children Through Obedience - A man who is respected by his children as displaying responsible leadership in the family. A responsible leader is obeyed by his followers in family.
15. Not To Be A Recent Convert - A man who has been given time to display a genuine commitment to Christ and mature perspective on the Christian life. To protect new converts from premature exposure to leadership and come under the influence of pride and conceit.
16. To Be Of Good Reputation from Outsiders - A man who has received good reports from the unsaved world, his community. Not criticized or faulted for his attitude or behavior.
17. Not To Be Overbearing - A man who is not self-willed, arrogantly disregarding the interest of others in order to please himself.
18. Not To Be Quick-Tempered - A man not given to anger who allows himself to become suddenly upset, disturbed and emotionally out of control. Not a brooder or grudge bearer.
19. To Love What Is Good and Upright - A man who desires to do good, a resister of evil. One who walks in good works, conforming his conduct to right standards.
20. To Be Holy - A man who is devout, an inner attitude of conforming to what is felt to be pleasing to God and consistent to biblical principles.
21. To Be Disciplined - A man having the inner strength that enables him to control his bodily appetites and passions.