Titus 2:15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Titus was a Gentile, converted to Christianity by the Apostle Paul and was like a son to Paul. In Titus 1:4, Paul calls Titus his own son. To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Paul loved Titus and taught him well. Paul’s letter to Titus is short; consisting of only three chapters, but is full of important information and instructions. Titus was a preacher and Paul instructed him to speak the Truth, exhort believers and rebuke with authority. This is a powerful word today for all preachers and teachers of the Gospel and leaders in the Church.
Paul also plainly spells out the qualities of a church leader; Pastor, Bishop, Elder, Shepherd, Deacon, etc. in Chapter 1:6-9. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the Faithful Word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Many of the terms here are not frequently used in our language today but the criteria is the same. Paul uses the word “blameless” and immediately defines it as, the husband of one wife and having faithful children who conduct themselves properly in a God-fearing manner. That’s number one.
Paul goes on to use the word “blameless” again which includes being a steward of God. This means a person who is totally surrendered to the Will of God and serving the Lord in every aspect of their life. A steward of God includes several important qualities and speaks of the person’s walk with the Lord; and their lifestyle.
It begins with being not self-willed; not putting themselves first, but willing to consider others. They should not be quick to become angry but able to remain calm and level-headed. The next characteristic is, not given to wine. Leaders of the church should not drink alcohol or use any mind-altering substances, period.
The last two qualities which are to be avoided are terms not often seen in today’s English language. They are, no striker and not given to filthy lucre; No striker means not having the spirit of contention; quarrelsome, or one who will easily enter into an altercation. A person given to filthy lucre is someone who is money-hungry. Their primary focus is on their personal monetary gain.
All these characteristics are to be strictly avoided in any church leader. Instead, we should seek people who are lovers of hospitality, lovers of good men, sober, just, holy and temperate. Those who hold fast to the Faithful Word of God and sound doctrine which will give them the ability to exhort (encourage) and convince the gainsayers (unbelievers).
There you have it; the characteristics that qualify, and disqualify, a person for church leadership. Unfortunately, many churches today do not consider the criteria spelled out in the Word of God when seeking a pastor or elevating people to leadership positions in their church.
In many cases, first on the list of qualifications is the proper education. A long list of degrees does not necessarily make for a church leader. Education is a wonderful thing and can be extremely helpful, but is by no means a requirement to be a pastor, elder, deacon or any church leader.
The Word of God tells us what to look for in church leaders. Let us strive to adhere to the Word of God and use it as our litmus test when considering people for leadership positions in the church.
The Word of God will……..turn the tide
In the Word, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
