“The Church and Her Leaders”

Scripture text: Titus 1:5-9

I want to spend some time today talking about leadership in the church - what it is and what it isn't. The concept of leadership is, of course, as varied as the people who define it. Some see a leader as the one who is chosen to lead, such as the president of an organization or nation, the chair of a board or committee, even the pastor of a church.
Others will say that a leader is defined by their personal attributes - a wise advisor, a gifted orator, respected, admired, powerful, one who stands “head and shoulders” above the crowd.
But scripture tells us a different story. In Matthew 20, we read about the mother of James and John. She went to Jesus and asked that He choose her sons to sit with Him on His throne. She wanted her sons to be seen as great leaders of the Kingdom that is to come. (Matthew 20:20-28)
Jesus gives three responses.
First, He tells her that she doesn’t fully understand what she is asking for. He wants all to know that in order for anyone to be placed in an elevated position in His Kingdom, that person must be clothed in the character of Christ Himself.
Then He says that the choice isn’t His to make, that the Father already knows who will receive these honors. This doesn’t mean that these “chosen” have already lived and ascended, but simply that they are already known to God. For all we know, it could be one of us gathered here this morning! Maybe, maybe not. One day, we will see!
And finally, He tells them all that if one wishes to be great, they must first be a servant to all. This had to be a puzzler for the folks that day. They knew leaders, they had seen them come and go, and they had yet come to know even one of them as a servant. Their own King Herod could better be described as a scoundrel than as a servant. Governor Pilate was arrogant, proud, and evil – he wasn’t even close to being a servant. The Roman centurions were cruel, the Sanhedrin – the church council, if you will – was only concerned with the preservation of order as they had defined it. They were arrogant, not servant hearted. The Pharisees were convinced that they were the only ones who were wise enough to understand and interpret the holy writings. Prideful to a fault!
As a matter of fact, God’s concept of a leader is 180 degrees out of phase from the world’s definition. God’s description of a “leader” is one who is a follower, a disciple, a reflection of Jesus Christ, and is one who leads others into Christ’s glory. And Jesus tells us that if we are to be seen as a leader, as one who is “great”, we must be ready to surrender our life and self to the way of Christ.

Our scripture today is describing, basically, the virtue of a pastor, but I want you to know that the life of a Christian leader can be no different.

Read Titus 1:5-6

An Elder, by definition, is one who has authority. Some churches have a Board of Elders, which is comparable to our Administrative Council, except that every member of the Elders’ Board has a given responsibility, while only some of ours do. In the UMC, an Elder is a fully ordained clergy who is a member of The Annual Conference in full connection. They have rights, responsibilities and privileges that others do not have.
Paul’s letter to Titus also addresses the office of “elder”, but in terms of character, not in terms of office. He begins with a call, not only on the elder, but on his family.
- The man must be blameless! No sin in his life, not even a single question as to his moral character and integrity. We have a pretty decent congregation, but how well do you think any of us, including me, could stand up to that level of scrutiny?
- He could only have one wife! That, I think, is a plus!
- And even his children must believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and can never be seen as unruly. The perfect child? I wonder how many children met that standard even in the 1st century church?
Even the elder’s family was to be above reproach.

Read Titus 1:7

An overseer is generally translated as “bishop”, but in the first century church, the offices of elder and bishop were typically seen as the same thing. In this verse, Paul explains the “blamelessness” of the “leader”:
- not overbearing – not arrogant, not conceited, not domineering
- not quick tempered – we might say “even tempered”. They’re calm and don’t easily “fly off the handle”, not easily given over to anger or rage.
- not given to drunkenness! Temperate, perhaps this even means “not easily intoxicated by the ways of the world”.
- not violent! Not abusive of their power and authority! They don’t use their influence or position to raise themselves up above others.
- not pursuing dishonest gain. They’re not thieves! Not taking for themselves the honor or position or possessions that rightfully belong to others.

I hope that you will all agree that these are admirable traits for everyone in the church, not just the pastor! But Paul hasn’t finished yet – there’s more!

Read Titus 1:8

We move from a list of “do nots” to a list of “dos”.
- be hospitable – be welcoming, not just into your home and life, but into the glory and living of Christ’s church!
- love what is good – loving what is of God, and not what is of the world, not what is evil.
- self controlled – able to stay calm during times of turmoil or temptation.
- upright – firm in the faith, not easily swayed by the storms of life. They’re “on the level”, they are “plumb”.
- holy – most folks aren’t especially comfortable with this descriptive, but we need to remember that holiness isn’t of our own making – it is from and of God, and we simply accept it. It is Sanctification; it is a consecration of our service in the name of Christ.
- disciplined – consistency in our faith and faith practices.

Yesterday, I was at an Emmaus team meeting. We were previewing several talks that would be given on the weekend that is coming up at the end of April. One of the speakers was talking about how we live out our life in the church. He was using a sports analogy, and said that we must listen to, and follow the teaching and example of our “captains”. As I was the only clergy in the room at the time, he looked at me as he delivered this line. When we critiqued the talk, I took exception to the implication. I told the group that all Christians should be “captains” from time to time, and told the speaker that while he was presenting his talk, that he was, in essence, the “captain” of the moment. I don’t think he wanted to be seen in that posture, but everyone agreed, or at least understood.

And every one of you should be a “captain”. Every one of you must be a leader. Every one of you is, from time to time, a pastor! When you bring comfort to a shut in, you are a leader. When you listen to a person who is troubled, you are pasturing. When you teach a Sunday School class, you are their “captain”. When you join a person in prayer, or present yourself as a Christian witness in your actions, or lead another person to Christ, you are being a representative of Christ and a leader of the church.
It has absolutely nothing to do with the position that you may hold, and has everything to do with how and why you serve the Lord.

Read Titus 1:9

A Christian leader must be firmly grounded in the Word of God - trusting in it, believing in it, using it, and sharing it. A Christian leader must take a stand in the Word, and not back down to “opposing thoughts” that come from false perspectives. A Christian leader must present Christ to the world in a truthful and faithful way.
And these expectations must not be exclusive to the role of the clergy!

Read this passage from Titus over again later today, or tomorrow at the latest, and as you do, change the words “elder” or “Bishop” or “Overseer” or “pastor”, or whatever terms may appear in your translation, to “Christian leader”. Use this as the standard against which you measure your own actions. Let it be your plumb line for life.

The only exception that I will offer is the reference to our children. In the first century, children were seen as little more than possessions, and as such, their actions were a direct reflection on the quality and character of their father. Today, we know that children are individuals, and each will respond to life in unique ways. However, I will challenge each of us to be witnesses, not only to the world; to be leaders, not only to the world; to be teachers and examples, not only to the world; but also to our families. Otherwise, how else will they learn about the truth of Christ? They certainly won’t learn it in school!

Titus 1:9 “We must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that we can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” This is the job of a Christian, and the call on a leader.
Say “yes” with your life.
Say “yes” with your heart.
Say “yes” with every ounce of strength and being that you have.
Say “yes” to the truth of Christ.
It is these who will grow the church.