1Ti 3:2 The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,
1Ti 3:3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.
1Ti 3:4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.
1Ti 3:5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?
1Ti 3:6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.
1Ti 3:7 And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.

And again from Titus:

Tit 1:6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who cannot be charged with dissipation or rebellion.
Tit 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with God’s work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.
Tit 1:8 Instead he must be hospitable, devoted to what is good, sensible, upright, devout, and self-controlled.
Tit 1:9 He must hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught, so that he will be able to give exhortation in such healthy teaching and correct those who speak against it.
Tit 1:10 For there are many rebellious people, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those with Jewish connections,
Tit 1:11 who must be silenced because they mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught.
Tit 1:12 A certain one of them, in fact, one of their own prophets, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Tit 1:13 Such testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply that they may be healthy in the faith
Tit 1:14 and not pay attention to Jewish myths and commands of people who reject the truth.
Tit 1:15 All is pure to those who are pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Tit 1:16 They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

Tit 2:7 showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
Tit 2:8 and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, because he has nothing evil to say about us.

And one more relevent passage on timing:

1Ti 5:21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.
1Ti 5:22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure

Ted certainly is in need of forgiveness, encouragement and fellowship. He has repented and he needs the Body around him in support. But leadership is a whole other animal. It would seem to me that if and only if Ted is:

under the authority of a local Church Body

of which the elders of that local congregation have deeply observed Ted’s life

and who categorically and without reservation know that he does fully meet the standards for an elder as laid out clearly in the above passages

and who have without reservation considered that God is prompting them (not as a result of Ted’s seeking leadership),

then and only then should a leadership postition of any kind be considered.

Hosting/teaching a Bible study “because we were lonely”? How about participation as a regular member of a small group for forgiveness and fellowship, encouragement and growth and healing?

At what point would one think that Ted will meet the requirement of :
“And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.” I Tim 3:7?

There are some serious issues when considering who God would have in leadership in His Church.

May God continue to bring healing and maturity to Ted and may he find the fullness of God’s Grace to be more than sufficient for his every need.

Grace!
SDG