What does Paul's letter to Titus teach us about ministry in the church?
For Paul, faithful pastoral leadership in the church is essential for the life of a community and its faithful witness to all that gospel allegiance entails. For this reason, he left Titus in Crete (presumably after they had engaged in proclaiming the gospel there) to appoint elders, who would be able to guide, teach, and correct disciples in the way of Jesus (Titus 1.5-9; 2.1). But both Paul and Titus are faced with a daunting challenge. How will they find leaders among the Cretans who will be up for the task? A quick survey of the letter reveals that there is a culture in Crete that seems antithetical to the kind of culture Titus seeks to shape in the church. 'There are many," Paul says, "who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers (Titus 1.10)." He even quotes from a Cretan prophet and poet who remarked that "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons" to characterize the context in which Titus is called to minister (Titus 1.12). Appa...