Amos 4-6, Psalms 86, Titus 1

V. 5 "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you."

Leadership Principles:
Paul was a leader who multiplied himself into and through others; a leader reproducing leaders. Titus is one of those faithful young men Paul chose to invest his life into with the hope of developing a fruitful leader. As we begin to read Paul's letter to Titus we quickly find him telling Titus the twofold reason for leaving him in Crete. In a way he was providing Titus with a "clear job description". Paul was setting him up for success by clearly stating what was expected of him. It is so difficult to succeed if we don't know what we are supposed to do. Sounds like a pretty basic thing to have, huh?, but you would be surprised to know how many people are employed, going about their daily tasks yet lacking a proper "job description". It's sad to see how many people are running around like the proverbial "chickens with their head cut off"... a lot of activity but no productivity. That is not the way good leadership enlists and empowers others. Good leadership does as Paul did; make it clear... keep it simple. (i.e. The sun is powerful in and of itself but when we use a magnifying glass we are able to focus that power and cause a fire to break out)

One of Titus's pastoral duties was to "set in order the things that are lacking". Yes, you understood correctly, Paul wanted Titus to solve the problems in Crete. I love solving problems; don't you? Don't get me wrong; I don't enjoy problems, but I love solving them. When I was younger I would subscribe to a magazine that was filled with brain teasers, in other words, problems that needed solving. Maybe the Lord was getting me ready for ministry because in any leadership role you will inevitably have to confront problems. God is a God of order and uses his servants to help bring order to a very messed up world with very messed up people. He provides the wisdom and the power to be successful, trusting that we will act righteously and fulfill our duty.

The task facing Titus was much too overwhelming for one person to do it all, therefore the need for appointing elders in every city. Teamwork is a must. But the quality of the team members is very important. You just don't fill the team with whomever walks up. Paul wanted healthy people, in doctrine and morals, to take point, joining the leadership team. When healthy people multiply... I call that fruitfulness. When unhealthy people multiply... I call that an epidemic. Everyone tends to reproduce after their own kind... so ask yourself... am I reproducing fruit or am I causing an epidemic?  If you discover you're the latter, don't fret, just repent and let God transform you and watch the fruit appear.

Lord help us to know our task, to solve our problems and to build a fruitful team for Your Glory and the expansion of Your Kingdom.

Following Jesus Christ,

Pastor Juan

Next Reading: Amos 7-9; Psalm 104; Titus 2