Titus, Part OneSample

Local churches need elders

“… appoint elders in every town as I directed you” (Titus 1:5).

All Christians worldwide are part of the one church which has Jesus Christ as its head. He is their King. This global church consists of countless local congregations where believers regularly meet to worship together, study God’s Word, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and so on. Whenever people come to faith, they are encouraged to join a local church — or if there is none, to seek contact with other Christians and gather in Jesus’ name.

Paul commissioned Titus to visit the congregations that had been established as a result of their missionary work in Crete. For these new churches needed leaders. They should not remain dependent on Paul and Titus but have their own elders as stewards of God and overseers over His church.

In 1 Peter 5, we read what the tasks of such elders are. They should shepherd the ‘flock’ of God, exercising oversight and being examples to their fellow believers. In Luke 22, Jesus tells His disciples that Christian leaders should be “as one who serves,” just like Jesus Himself was. Having such elders is a huge blessing for every church!

Are you a member of a local church? Does this church have such God-fearing elders? How are these elders' examples for you?