Putting Things in Order. Titus 1:5.
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.
Dear People of whom the World Is not Worthy,
The apostle Paul was a busy man, but he did not neglect important things. He had not had time to put everything in order in Crete before he left, but he did leave Titus to see to the matter.
Organize (v. 5a). Order is a necessity for any group with common interests and the church is no exception. Left to themselves, people will pull in different directions and defeat the very purpose for which the church was founded – witness to the world. Paul left Titus in Crete to ensure that he established order.
Ordain (v. 5b). A key feature of order is capable leadership. Titus was to “appoint elders in every town.” Elder and overseer (v. 7) are used interchangeably here. It is elders who “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:1-2), therefore the term pastor (Ephesians 4:11), which means shepherd, can be considered a synonym for an elder.
Observe (v. 5c). Titus was not to appoint elders willy-nilly. There were standards that he was expected to adhere to. These standards had been communicated to him by Paul before they parted. It is the same standards that Paul reiterates, to remind Titus, but to also inform others who would have access to this letter.It is a pity that biblical standards for leadership as given here have been cast aside and anyone who feels like founding and pastoring a church does so, in total disregard of the qualifications for an elder. .
Your Loving Pastor Chris.