One Who Loves What Is Good

“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. An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.” (Titus 1:5-8)

Pastor Titus had a job to do. After Paul introduced Christianity on the island of Crete, he left Titus there to “put in order what was left unfinished.” Titus’s first task was to appoint church leaders in every town. Those leaders were called “elders” and “overseers.” Perhaps “elders” refers to the honor that was to be shown to them, while “overseers” refers to their responsibility to oversee those new Christian churches.

What were those church leaders to be like? Paul gave quite a list! These verses are very similar to 1 Timothy 3:1-7, where Paul gave Pastor Timothy similar instructions. In both lists, the qualifications for leadership in the Christian Church are much more focused on Christian character than on ability.

First, “an elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.” Isn’t it striking that the first qualifications have to do with that church leader’s own family? A pastor’s ministry starts with the members of his own household.

Second, an overseer “must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.” There are lots of sins that church leaders need to watch out for, including sins involving alcohol, anger, and greed. 

Finally, a leader “must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.” What a list! Our church leaders need our constant prayers for God’s strength.

Here’s a good way to sum it all up: “One who loves what is good.” Being a church leader—like a pastor—isn’t about charisma. It’s not about being funny or handsome or a people-pleaser. At its core is loving what is good—the gospel message of Jesus our Savior. Doesn’t every church need a leader like that?

Dear Jesus, you give leaders to your churches. Just like the new churches on the island of Crete needed leaders who loved what is good, place men who love what is good over our churches too. Amen.

Pastor Nathan