The Preaching-Teaching Elder must be a minister within our denomination. He must be theologically sound, holding to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. As we are a Baptist church and a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, our pastor must affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, and adhere to Warsaw Baptist Church's Constitution and Bylaws.

While no-one expects perfection, the qualifications of an Elder are clearly spelled out in 1Timothy 3:1-7. The pastor's heart to achieve and sustain these qualifications should be evident in his day-to-day life. As stated in 1Timothy 4:6-16, his preaching and teaching should always be focused on and driven by the Gospel and not religious dogma.

The Bi-vocational Preaching Teaching Elder's primary responsibilities are that of visionary leader and teacher of God's Word. Consistent with the New Testament concept of spiritual gifts, he, like any member of the body, should seek to minister primarily within his area of giftedness. As part of the Elder Body he will, except in rare circumstances, serve as the "first among equals", casting and assisting in the implementation of the vision God provides for Warsaw Baptist Church.