Titus 1:5-7
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— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach.
Now that football is over, baseball comes to mind. In a baseball game, a starting pitcher routinely goes 7 innings, a setup man comes in to pitch the 8th, and the ninth goes to the closer. Titus was the closer for the churches in Crete, a place that did not fare well in the estimation of Paul, who called its inhabitants liars and evil brutes. That might be why he felt the need to explain to Titus why he left him in Crete. Here were churches without elders, which is okay at the beginning but Paul made sure Titus knew his task was to make sure they did have elders before he left a town.
It is true that a church can temporarily be a church without elders, but the goal must be to be an elder led church if the church is to be biblical. If Crete had enough godly men among liars and evil brutes to shepherd a church, surely our towns do as well. The qualifications are strict and exclusive but nevertheless, elders are needed for our churches. If your church has elders, encourage them and pray for them. If not, pray for your church because it will soon need to be put in order.
O Heavenly Father, you are a God of design and order and you order our steps. Thank you for calling shepherds to lead our churches. In Jesus’ name. Amen.