Principle: Male leaders should shepherd a church’s souls in view of eternity. Scripture endorses the presence of elders. The presence of elders is urged (Titus 1:5). The presence of elders is established (Acts 14:23). The presence of elders is evident (Acts 11:30; 15:2,4,6,22-23; 16:4; 20:13-17; 21:18; I Timothy 4:14). The presence of elders is assumed (I Timothy 5:17; I Peter 1:1; 5:1; James 1:1; 5:14). Elders are men, not women. Male elders were evident in Ephesus (Acts 20:29-30). Male elders seem to be have been assumed by Paul (Titus 1:6; 1 Timothy 3:1). Female elders were not allowed by Paul (1 Timothy 2:12-14; 1 Corinthians 14:33-40) Side Note: Although these men might have different gifts - and, perhaps, different degrees of honor (I Timothy 5:17-20; c.f. Acts 13:1), all elders should share certain proven characteristics (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), and no elder should seek to be first in all things (c.f. 3 John 1:9-10). In the church in Jerusalem, John (2 John 1:1; 3 John...