WISE, INTENTIONAL

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

TITUS EMAIL

Volume 3, Number 4 – April, 2009

It has been a great four weeks with our WILD Regional Director Henry Mukonda. We have had quality, productive discussions and have several concrete ways to continue the impact of WILD in south central Africa. During the four weeks, we have visited several new churches in northern Wisconsin that have not hosted WILD before. Plus after two years of putting material together, a WILD DVD is now finished and available for promotion and understanding WILD’s vision. Lastly, an extensive WILD weekly prayer email will be sent out to several hundred people including you. Thanks, Mike

PAUL’S SUBMISSION TO THE CHURCH

In Acts 21:17-26, Paul arrived in Jerusalem after finishing his third missionary journey. There he was met by the church leaders. They quickly informed him that there was a problem. Rumors had spread about Paul that he was encouraging the Jewish believers to turn away from the Law of Moses and not have their children circumcised. Even though he had agreed with the decision made by the Jerusalem Counsel in Acts 15 that circumcision was in no way a part of salvation, he was being falsely accused.

The solution offered by the leaders was for Paul to take four men with him who were ready to take a vow and shave their heads, to the Temple for the purification ceremony plus Paul should pay their expenses along with his. This would show that rumors were false demonstrated by his actions and this would show that his tradition was still important to him.

He was willing to go along with traditions that did not compromise the doctrine of salvation and also “become a Jew, to win the Jews to Christ (I Corinthians. 9:19-23). As a Christian leader, you and I have to determine which doctrines are worth “dying for” and which ones we can still clearly fellowship with other Christians even if we do not agree on those issues. Another way to ask the question is, “What theology are you willing to die for if someone put a gun to your head and demanded an answer from you?”

In Jerusalem, Paul submitted himself to others to reach them, to minister to them, by his willingness to go through the purification ceremony. Paul had the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get his own way, realizing the battles willing to die for were fewer and fewer. Following Ephesians 5:21 shows your willingness to submit to others out of reverence for Christ, willing to put the needs of others ahead of our own and to subordinate our rights to someone else.

Paul lived in male-dominant culture. If men in that culture began to put their wives, children and slaves above them, it would be a dramatic life-style change for the men in that culture, and that would impact the world view of their time. Paul gave personal moral responsibility to people like women, children, slaves – who had no legal or moral status in their culture. He made decision-makers of people who were forbidden to make decisions (Colossians 3:18-22). As Christians, we are to impact our culture in similar ways.

What does this say about Paul’s character? When someone can focus on others, they are content with themselves. They know who they are and as believers, their identity is Jesus. Thus they can deny themselves (Mark 8:34). If you truly follow Jesus, you make yourself of no reputation so to speak, take up your cross and follow Jesus. If someone asked who you are, how would you respond?

Paul could have grumbled and complained about the people who had started that rumor about him. Rather, as a spiritual leader, he placed himself in a position of submission to the Church leaders and Jews by going through the ceremony because his identity was in Jesus. He knew who he was. He knew what he believed and why he believed. Do you?

YOUTH MINISTRY INSIGHT

TITUS – MENTORED BY PAUL

Who is a close friend that you can always count on? What are the qualities of that friend that you are able to consider him or her that close to you? I would venture to say that qualities like trustworthy, good listener, understands you and dependable would be among the qualities listed.

The Apostle Paul has some close friends too, as we learn from reading either his life adventures in Acts or from the letters he wrote found in the New Testament. One of his very trusted, close friend was Titus. Paul knew Titus well enough that Paul wrote in one of his letters (2 Corinthians 8:16) that Titus had the same heart, passion and concern for the Christians as Paul had. You could only say that if you knew the person extremely well and had gone through some life experiences together.

Titus’s name means honorable. This guy was honorable in his character. He was faithful, available and teachable. Titus’ background was different than Paul’s, as Paul was a Jew and Titus a Gentile. In those days that difference was the same as how people today often treat people of different ethnic or racial backgrounds. When Paul and Titus (many people feel Titus was converted to Jesus by Paul) became Christians, those ethnic differences disappeared. They were now brothers in Jesus.

Paul mentored and discipled Titus. Titus was one of Paul’s key and important team members as they shared about Jesus to a large region around the Mediterranean Sea. They spent so much time together learning about Jesus and about life, that Paul knew Titus would handle tough, conflict filled situations and Paul was confident that Titus would help bring groups of Christians to the correct resolution. Titus was used this way in the city of Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:6-7) and on the island of Crete (Titus 1:5).

As a young person, you will have opportunities to have older, more mature Christians speak and work in your life. How you handle these situations, whether you are teachable or have the attitude that “you can’t teach me anything!”, will reveal your character and also how well God will be able to use you in opportunities where you can be blessed and impact friends, family and the community. By blessed, that so often means gaining a good reputation, developing trust with people, and joy and contentment permeates your emotions and thoughts.

None of us know everything and so we can actually learn something from everyone we meet in life. How teachable you and I are will help determine how far we go in life. Paul could trust Titus with his life because Titus had proved himself faithful, teachable and trustworthy. Can friends, family and peers say the same about you? Is there someone who is an older Christian who would help you grow as a Christian and learn how to handle life situations? Go ask that person to help mentor you. That may be one of the most important decisions you ever make in your life.

ILLUSTRATION - LOOSE LIPS

(Source: Today’s Christian Women (Nov/Dec 2000)

While at a restaurant after lunch, my friend Michelle and her coworker, Sharon, stopped in the restroom to fix their makeup before returning to their jobs. Their small talk turned to the subject of a woman who drove them crazy. Michelle launched into a two-minute diatribe about their coworker Beth. As Michelle prepared to divulge more, a stall door opened. Out walked Beth, red-faced and angry.

Michelle and Beth stared at each other in embarrassed panic. Michelle knew she couldn’t take her words back. In the instant their eyes met, Beth fled out the door. That afternoon, Beth didn’t return to work. The next day Michelle heard through the grapevine that Beth had resigned. While other staff members cheered what seemed to be good news, Michelle felt miserable. She wished she had talked to Beth instead of talking about Beth.

Although that situation happened five years ago, Michelle’s never forgotten it. She tried to reach Beth several times by phone, then wrote her a letter of apology. Beth never responded. Michelle says she learned her lesson about loose lips the hard wa

QUOTES ON MENTORING

“A mentor is a brain to pick, an ear to listen and a push in the right direction.” John Crosby

“Mentoring is a lifelong relationship, in which a mentor helps a protégé reach her or his God-given potential.” Bobb Biehl

“In modern day terms, mentors are influential, experienced people who personally help you reach your major life goals. They have the power – through who or what they know – to promote your welfare.” Linda Phillips-Jones

Six Ways to Begin Sharing Your Convictions with a Next Generation Leader

by Jeff Myers

• May I tell you about a personal experience that might make the way clearer for you?

• I’ve had an experience that might shed some light on your current situation and I’d be happy to share it if you are interested.

• I know of another way that might work. Would you like to hear it?

• What are your greatest hopes and greatest concerns?

• Please listen very carefully for a moment. I have something I’d like to tell you that could have a big influence on your life.

• So much depends on what I’m about to share with you. Please give me your full attention.