“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.” — Acts 20:28
At Peytonsville, we pause with gratitude for the men who have served as elders (past and present) faithfully caring for the flock of God. Their commitment, guidance, and Christlike leadership have strengthened this church through the years. As we enter a new season, we honor their service while recognizing the continued need for God to raise up new shepherds.
Scripture gives us our outline for this calling in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9, where the marks of a Christ-honoring man are clearly defined: men whose lives are shaped by the gospel, grounded in the Word, and proven in character, conduct, and full of the Spirit.
CALLING
“If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.”
The work of an elder begins with a calling. Scripture describes it as a “good work,” not because it is easy, but because it is eternal. This is not about status or recognition, but about a burden for souls. At Peytonsville, as we enter this season, we are not looking for men to fill positions, but men whom God has already stirred with a desire to shepherd His people.
CHARACTER
“Above reproach” before men and God
Everything rises and falls on character. The defining mark of an elder is not talent, success, or personality, but a life that is above reproach. This means a man whose conduct aligns with his confession, whose life strengthens rather than weakens the witness of the gospel. The church does not need impressive men, but consistent men whose lives reflect Christ in public and in private.
CONDUCT
Sober-minded • Self-controlled • Gentle • Not quick-tempered • Not violent • Lover of good • Disciplined
These qualities are not personality traits but spiritual fruit. They reveal a life shaped by the Holy Spirit and grounded in the Word of God. The elder is a man who has been transformed by the gospel, whose responses, relationships, and reactions show the work of God within him. His life is steady, his spirit is gentle, and his example is worth following.
COVENANT
“The husband of one wife” — a one-woman man
Faithfulness in marriage is foundational. An elder must be devoted to his wife in heart, mind, and life. In a culture of compromise, his covenant commitment stands as a testimony to Christ’s faithful love for His church. A man who will shepherd Christ’s bride must first demonstrate unwavering faithfulness to his own.
CHILDREN
“If a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”
The home is the proving ground of leadership. An elder leads his family with love, discipline, and consistency. His children are not required to be perfect, but they must reflect a home marked by order, respect, and guidance. Scripture makes it clear: the way a man shepherds his household reveals his readiness to shepherd God’s church.
COMPETENT
“Able to teach” to give instruction and refute error
An elder must be grounded in truth and able to communicate it clearly. He must hold firmly to sound doctrine, teach what is right, and confront what is false. In a world filled with confusion, the church needs men who are anchored in Scripture. His authority does not come from his voice, but from the Word he faithfully proclaims .
CAUTION
“Not a recent convert… well thought of by outsiders”
Spiritual leadership must be proven over time. An elder is not newly planted, but deeply rooted. His life has been tested, his faith has endured, and his reputation is respected both inside and outside the church. This protects not only the man, but the name of Christ and the witness of His church.
COMMISSION
Servants and stewards of God’s house
Elders are not owners of a business, they are stewards of God’s spiritual family. They serve under the authority of Christ, caring for what belongs to Him. The church is God’s house, and shepherds are entrusted to lead, protect, and guide His people with humility and accountability. This is a calling of service, not control.
CROSS
The church is too precious • The gospel is too powerful • The cross is too costly
Everything about this calling is rooted in the cross. The church is precious because Christ purchased it with His own blood. The gospel is powerful because it transforms lives. The cross is costly because it required the life of the Son of God. That is why leadership matters. We must raise up men whose lives are shaped by the gospel, grounded in the Word, and surrendered to Christ.
Our Prayer at Peytonsville
As we move forward in this season of transition, we do so with gratitude for faithful shepherds who have led well, and with confidence that God will provide again. We ask our church family to pray, to seek the Word, and to trust the Lord to raise up men who will faithfully care for His flock.
Scott Bond
