Organization, continued

When we began our study of the book of Titus, we touched on the fact that Paul was writing to a younger man. Paul was, for all practical purposes, mentoring Titus in the ministry.

Paul said he left Titus in Crete to set things in order and to appoint elders in every city, just as he had directed him to do. 

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. (Titus 1:5, NIV)

There were a number of fledgling churches scattered across the island of Crete, and they were struggling mightily against the sinful, pagan culture of the people. They were also plagued with false teachers with selfish motives - these were upsetting whole families (see verses 10-11). Sounds a lot like our world today, doesn't it?

Paul wrote to Titus to help the younger man focus on correcting these problems. The Bible doesn't go into a lot of detail about Titus; we don't know much about him. He seems to have been an unusually wise and stable young man. Years before, Paul had taken him along on a trip back to Jerusalem. Why? To demonstrate to the apostles that Gentile converts did not have to be circumcised to be saved! (I bet that was awkward.)

Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. (Galatians 2:1-3)

Some time later, Paul had sent Titus to Corinth. He was tasked with dealing with that rowdy bunch of new believers, and he had done well. Paul must have trusted him completely by now, to set things in order in Crete. 

"To set things in order." The Greek word used there is also used when talking of setting broken bones into place. Kinda makes us wonder if the churches in Crete were a bit fractured and splintered, doesn't it? This is also a good example of the trust that Paul had in Titus; he tasked the young man with following up on the work, and bringing it to maturity. Paul wasn't trying to keep any glory for himself - his focus was on what was best for the fledgling churches.

It jumps right out at us: a major part of Paul's remedy for these churches' problems was to find and raise up godly leadership. Churches today need that same type of leadership - godly, mature leaders who will stand for the truth and speak out against error. Paul said of the prospective leader:

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:9)

Do we see churches in our world today that are weak? Some that are strong? Churches will be weak or strong, depending on the spiritual maturity of the leaders. They will also be weak or strong depending upon the soundness and truth of the doctrines the leaders preach. In order to lead, they must be strong believers, themselves.

We'll explore this further, the next time we study!