Thank you for your replies and insights. Getting back to the question of the selection process, the First Timothy passage, "... if a man desire the office of a bishop..." (or "aspires" in the NIV) it sounds to me like a man has a desire, a call from God to be an elder first. Then he either nominates or recommends himself or is nominated by the congregation. The passage doesn't say this, but it seems to me to be the normal sequence of events.

But what about Paul's injunction to "appoint" elders? (Of course using scriptural standards and qualifications.) Is this the practice in any churches today?

I'm just thinking out loud here and I don't oppose the practice of nomination or recommendation of elders. In fact the reason I ask is because my pastor approached me and asked me if I would consider serving as an elder and I don't want to.