Well you're right the qualifications of an elder or leader is to be blameless and to have a good report with those who are outside, that is towards non Christians. Should consider thought does that mean for the rest of his life 30 years later or however many of years one couldn't say he didn't or couldn't reestablished respect once again. I might agree with you it'd depend on what they did.What if they have blown it so bad that they are no longer scripturally qualified for the office of elder? God will not lead a man to do what God has said he may not do.
But they can be restored with God right away and he can use them in the ministry of helps and know he's advancing the Kingdom of God. That's our place to work with people to help them to be able to do that. Our wounded soldiers we don't throw into a ditch even if they shot themselves in the foot.
And I don't look upon working in the ministry of helps as something inferior anyway.
Nothing wrong with being skeptical about one.....lean towards seeking to believe the best of all though hoping they come out of their weakness and PRAY that they do. With any fallen brethren God wants to work through us to give them peace and hope.I remain rightly skeptical of the "restoration" of a man who a) seems to show no evidence of genuine repentance; ...