Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Titus 1 (ESV)
Greeting
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Qualifications for Elders
5 This is why I left you in Crete so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Who in your Christian community have you especially respected for their godly leadership?
Lord, aging isn’t for sissies. Things get tougher physically, mentally, and emotionally and there comes a time to pass the leadership baton on to the next generation. In the reading, Paul has come to the time where he is passing the baton to Titus. Lord, I thank you for all those who stepped up to faithfully serve, guide, and build the church in the past. Thank You for their dedication, commitment, and love that has kept Shepherd of the Hills together through many challenging times. Their contribution was great and let us not forget to use their experience and wisdom as a resource for their role in history. But the race is not done. Lord, the challenge is great and the race requires new leaders to carry the baton to keep Your work moving forward and to create new histories. Your church community continues through new generations and requires the success of finding new leaders who love You and Your church. Lord, raise up leaders in our church families. Encourage those who bring children to Sunday School or Youth activities to get involved in the faith and lives of the younger folks to lead. Raise up young leaders who are inspired to participate in the various ministries around the church and help them recognize Your hand at work in them, in the community and in the world. Reach out to those who are in growing careers to find greater fulfillment and purpose by utilizing their skills in church leadership. Help those in the older generations find value in encouraging them, providing support and guidance where needed. Let those from all generations share Your love. Thank You that You are growing the next generations to lead our congregation. Lord, I thank you for all those who will step up to faithfully serve, guide, and build the church in the future. In areas where I lead, help me to lead well, and know when to pass the baton to good leaders for the future. Amen