Let ministerial servants be husbands of one wife, presiding in a fine manner over children and their own households.

43. (a) What do the Scriptures indicate as to age and experience of those appointed as ministerial servants? (b) Are ministerial servants meant to be shepherds and teachers of the congregation, and how do we know? (c) To what extent must one measure up to the Scriptural requirements before being recommended to the governing body for appointment as a ministerial servant?

⁴³ While no specific age requirement is stipulated, it is obvious that these ministerial servants were to be grown men, old enough to be married and have children. They were not to be novices in the congregation, but persons who had been “tested as to fitness.” Before being appointed as ministerial servants it would be beneficial if they had been dedicated and baptized for at least some time that would allow for their fitness to be tested. It is not required that they be “qualified to teach” in the congregation. The Scriptural qualifications show that they were not meant to be assigned as shepherds and teachers of the flock. They should certainly be zealous in the ministry, active in the work that Jesus assigned to his disciples, namely, preaching the Kingdom message and making disciples. But, in addition to this, the requirements set out in the Scriptures show that those who are ministerial servants must be exemplary in their private lives and in their relations with others. So, before anyone is recommended to the governing body for appointment as a ministerial servant careful consideration should be given to each of those Scriptural requirements; none should be ignored or treated as of little importance.