Friday 29 September, 2017

5 I left you on the island of Crete. I did this because there were some things that hadn’t been finished. I wanted you to put them in order. I also wanted you to appoint elders in every town. I told you how to do it. 6 An elder must be without blame. He must be faithful to his wife. His children must be believers. They must not give anyone a reason to say that they are wild and don’t obey. 7 A church leader takes care of God’s family. That’s why he must be without blame. He must not look after only his own interests. He must not get angry easily. He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must not try to get money by cheating people. 8 Instead, a church leader must welcome people into his home. He must love what is good. He must control his mind and feelings. He must do what is right. He must be holy. He must control the desires of his body. 9 The message as it has been taught can be trusted. He must hold firmly to it. Then he will be able to use true teaching to comfort others and build them up. He will be able to prove that people who oppose it are wrong.

Titus was left to continue the work Paul began in Crete.  Paul encourages Titus to appoint leaders to assist him in ministry and also provides a list of qualities to look for when choosing leaders. It’s important to note that not everyone is fit to lead.

What a comprehensive list of leadership qualities Paul provides Titus! It serves as a good reminder to leaders and also informs others of what is required by those who aspire to lead.  Church leaders are role models who show other believers how to live the Christian life. Like it or not leaders are looked up to!   Leaders set the example for others to follow so that example, as Paul puts it, needs to be blameless or beyond reproach.  A leader also needs to have a thorough understanding of God’s word so they can encourage and correct fellow believers where necessary.   It’s a high calling to lead God’s people and in reading this passage I am reminded, prodded even to pray for those who lead and those who are placed in positions of authority in God’s house.  You can also see why not everyone is suited to leadership, it’s not for everyone and that’s OK.

Dear Lord, thank you for those you have called to be leaders in your house.  Help them lead your people well and bless them.  Amen.

Written by Ainslie Woods