Thanks for your question. In thinking of the
qualification of an elder having believing children, note these passages which deal with
the topic. I Timothy 3:4,5 "One who rules his own house well, having his children in
submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how
will he take care of the church of God?)" Titus 1:6 "If a man is blameless, the
husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or in
subordination."
Some translations of Titus 1:6 use the word
"Believing" instead of faithful children. Either translation would be a accurate
translation of the Greek word in the text. The fact that Paul's writing to Timothy on the
topic and the explanation of the rest of the verse in Titus 1:6 relate to the behavior of
the child that they are not accused of dissipation or insubordination, fits better with
the idea of faithfulness than their being believing. I believe the point being made had to
do with their being in submission to their father and faithful to him instead of the idea
they had been baptized. Now, it is true if one is rearing their children correctly it
should lead to the same result of them becoming Christians and living faithful lives to
the Lord.
Why was there such emphasis on the family for one to
be an elder of the church? Because that is the area most like the church. Leadership on
the job is very different since people are paid to do the work and can be forced to do
what they don't want to do. In the family, one must lead in such a way that as wife and
children grow they choose to follow the way they are being encouraged to follow.
All of the qualifications given are for one to be an
elder. They aren't just qualifications to become one. Certainly it should be clear that as
children become adults and fall under other influences they choose their own way and what
they choose isn't a reflection on how they were trained in growing up. As for as examples
are concerned the Bible doesn't give any example of men resigning or what it takes for
that to happen. Good judgment would seem to be when one's life is such that if he were
being considered for an elder again today, would he be accepted and set apart by the
church? The qualifications remain the same forever. If they wouldn't qualify now or if
they aren't able to do the work now, they would need to step aside. But this is a matter
of judgment since the Bible really doesn't address the topic of one becoming disqualified.
The other rule which should be considered would be, if one's life becomes such that the
church isn't willing to follow them anymore they should step aside. You can't lead when
people aren't willing to follow.
I hope this is helpful.
Leon Barnes