TO CHEW ON: "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 appointed you." Titus 1:5
The book of Titus is a letter from Paul to the young Greek Christian Titus. He had traveled with Paul to Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1-3) and had represented him to the church in Corinth during Paul's third missionary journey (2 Corinthians 7:6,7).
Though Luke doesn't tell us the story of Paul's church plant in Crete, Titus 1:5 implies that Paul had been there with Titus and left him behind to oversee the churches. He was, among other things, an administrator.
Chances are that when we read about spiritual gifts (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4), administration isn't the one that grabs our attention. We're much more likely to focus on evangelism, preaching, teaching, service, giving, or helps. However, gifts of administrations (kubernesis - #2941: governing; government) is on the list (1 Corinthians 12:28). Leading committees, planning the setup and cleanup of an event, organizing the food, advertising, ticket sales, and enlisting the ushers can be a Holy Spirit-inspired and -driven ability.
Some gifted Bible administrators were Joseph, Daniel and Nehemiah.
- Joseph found himself in charge wherever he was, from Potiphar's estate, to prison, to all of Egypt.
- Daniel was part of the administrative bureaucracy of Babylon, selected and trained as a youth because of his wisdom, knowledge, and physical good looks.
- Nehemiah went from being a cup-bearer for King Artaxerxes to overseeing the Jerusalem wall rebuild.
In the New Testament Paul entrusts both Timothy and Titus with administration in first century churches that grappled with challenging and difficult issues. In Titus's case, he and Paul embarked on a mission to Crete probably around A.D. 63-65. When Paul left Crete to care for other churches, he left Titus in charge to organize the young churches. His first job was to appoint bishops or leaders. Much of the book of Titus is instruction about church organization and how to select good leaders.
Do you know who the administrator is in your church? If things are going smoothly you probably haven't given it much thought. Because administration done well leads to a church's seamless and smooth operation. It's when things aren't organized that we notice.
Two challenges:
1. Let's pray more for the administration of our church and their chief administrator(s) which may or may not be the senior pastor.
2. If administration is lacking in our assemblies and it's bothering us, we could do more than criticize and complain. We could consider getting involved.
PRAYER: Dear God thank You for the variety of gifts in the church, including administration. I pray for the administrator of my church. Please show me what my part is to help the church run smoothly. Amen
MORE: Why spiritual gifts?
In the article "The Gifts of the Spirit," Dr. Kenneth Boa gives three reasons for Christians to discover and develop their spiritual gifts (of which administration is one):
A. You Will Be Satisfied
Knowing and using your gifts will give you an understanding of the unique and indispensable ministry you have been called to accomplish in the body of Christ. You will discover a significant part of your purpose for being on this planet and realize that God has made you competent to produce something that will last for eternity. You will have a sense of fulfillment and joy in the service of others as you become an available instrument through which the Holy Spirit can work.
In addition, knowledge of your spiritual gifts will greatly assist you in discerning and affirming the will of God at various points in your life. God will not call you to accomplish anything without giving you the power and enablement to do it. You will be able to make more intelligent decisions about possible involvement in specific opportunities and training in light of your God-given function in the body (Rom. 12:4). You will also use your time more effectively by focusing on the things you have been equipped to do well rather than expending your energy in areas of minimum potential.
B. Others Will Be Edified
Knowing and using your gifts will lead to the edification of other members of the body of Christ. As you exercise your spiritual gifts, you will play a substantial role in building up other Christians and leading them into maturity (Eph. 4:12-16). If you fail to develop your gifts or let them decline through disuse, your brothers and sisters in Christ will actually be hurt because they will be deprived of the unique ministry that only you could perform in their lives.
C. God Will Be Glorified
According to 1 Peter 4:10-11, your spiritual gifts are ultimately designed to bring glory to God. This is your highest calling, and it relates to all three Persons of the Godhead. As you use your spiritual gifts in conjunction with the power and fruit (especially love) of the Holy Spirit and in the name and Lordship of Jesus Christ, the Father receives the glory.
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