From the Pulpit...

An accusation against an elder is a serious matter. While not to be ignored, an accusation is not to be accepted as true unless there are two or more witnesses. If the accusation proves true, the sinning elder is to be rebuked before the whole church. The act of rebuking an elder before the whole church can have a very sanctifying effect as it can be a deterrent to prevent others from participating in a similar wrongdoing. Timothy was not to show prejudice or partiality when accusations arose against an elder.