In his first letter, the apostle Peter writes on the behaviour of an elder – rather than how an elder should behave.
Above all, an elder should be able to testify to the work of Jesus Christ in their lives. Without this testimony, their witness will be false and worthless. How can they speak of Jesus Christ if they do not know him?
An elder should be willing to do God’s will, rather than out of duty. It should something that happens because of a regenerate heart wishing to serve God.
An elder should watch over the church, as a good shepherd watches over his sheep – even laying down his life for his sheep, guarding against error and feeding the church. This should be done not by driving the flock, but by leading, by example, yet without being afraid to point out error, as well as feeding the flock by bringing the word of God to them.
Finally, an elder should be waiting for appearance of the chief elder of the church, the head of the church, Christ Jesus.
Those Christians who are not elders should not consider themselves exempt from these conditions, but should seek to be more like the chief elder by the power of the Spirit working in them. Moreover, someone should not be appointed as an elder until he exhibits these qualities.

Very often in Christian circles, marriage is often thought of as the only option for Christians, to the exclusion of singleness. Yet, in his letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul extols the virtues of being single in the service of God, listing many of the advantages.
In general a non-married Christian is able to concentrate more of their thoughts on the things of God, rather than on the needs of his wife and family. They are also able to devote more time and resources to the church than a married person. Indeed it would not be right for a married man (or woman) to neglect the well-being of hi (or her) family.
Additionally a married person has the added burden of caring for a wife/husband and family in a world of trouble and strife, not that there is anything wrong with caring. Again, it is right for a person to care about their wife/husband and family, but a single person would not have a family to agonise over and care for.
This is not to say all non-married Christians will have these advantages, as many have family members to care who, who may even need more attention than a family of their own.
Despite these advantages, Paul is realistic and says that singleness is not for everyone and is a special calling. Many Christians will be more suited to being married, and will be able to serve God within the context of marriage. Indeed just as there is nothing wrong with being single, there is nothing wrong with being married – for marriage is a picture of the greatest love of God, the love of Christ for his church.
Some Christians may never marry and will be able to take advantage of their singleness to glorify God, but even those that do eventually marry will be single before they are married and this singleness should be used to its fullest extent to glorify God.