Joe,

I suspect this may be a rather contentious argument. I know folks on both sides of this fence who feel strongly about your point.

The argument I have heard made by those who hold the view you oppose is two fold: first, adult children are no longer his responsibility, so therefore, it doesn't matter what they do; and second, since the father doesn't bear the sins of the son or vice versa, then an elder is not held accountable for the sins of his children and therefore, that doesn't "count" in the qualification/disqualification of the man. The first point is, I believe, simply adding to the scriptures; the scriptures say believing children. Period. And on the second point, this is mixing apples and oranges. Being held accountable for someone else's sin and being qualified for a job are not the same thing. Of course an elder won't be held accountable (as in having to accept punishment because of), any more than any one else, if his adult child suddenly decides to commit murder. That does not mean he may not have to suffer some consequences of his child's actions. At a minimum, the acts of the child (adult or not) reflects poorly on the man and does not leave him "blameless" in the minds of the congregation and possibly the community, which is another requirement to be an elder.

Then I hear folks try to discount the "blameless" requirement, saying no man is perfect. Well what's left? Who are we to reason through the qualifications given by God and discard the ones WE don't think are reasonable? Consider that elders are held to higher standards than are other Christians (whether some want to admit it or not). Elders are to be examples to others, and if they have sin in their own lives or or seen as questionable, then they cannot, without hypocrisy, shepherd the flock and discipline as necessary to correct the faults in others and keep the flock pure, which they are commanded to do.

__________________
--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)