Strong Churches Start with Godly Men

Leadership matters. Like, really matters. In any organization—business, military, school, you name it—leadership sets the tone. But when it comes to the church, the stakes are even higher. This isn’t just about profits or performance. This is about souls. This is about eternity. And make no mistake: the local church will never rise above the spiritual maturity and gospel grit of its leadership. Everything rises and falls on it.

Now, don’t get it twisted—leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice in the room or the fanciest title on the door. Leadership is influence. It’s not about how many people listen to you talk; it’s about how many people trust you enough to follow. And if nobody’s following you, then friend, you’re just taking a walk.

What the church needs today—what it has always needed—is not more celebrity pastors, brand builders, or platform chasers. We need men of God who walk with a limp and lead with a towel. We need shepherds, not CEOs. Pastors who bleed Scripture, live with integrity, love their people deeply, and can rightly divide the Word of truth. These are men who aren’t trying to be impressive—they’re trying to be faithful.

They don’t demand trust—they earn it. Over time. With tears, prayers, hospital visits, funerals, weddings, sermons, and counseling sessions. These men feed and lead, protect and provide, teach and tend, not because it’s glamorous, but because it’s what God has called them to do. Their people don’t just hear their sermons—they know their soul.

As we plant churches across this nation and breathe new life into struggling ones, we don’t need more strategy sessions and vision boards—we need godly shepherds who are tethered to the Word of God, not the latest leadership trends. There’s no shortage of men who want to build big things. But the call is to build faithful churches, not empires. To shepherd the flock, not to manage a brand.

And God takes this seriously. So seriously, in fact, that He circles back to it again and again in His Word—Acts 20, 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5. Every single time, the focus is not on charisma or talent—it’s on character. God’s not impressed with your resume. He’s looking at your heart. Because who you are will always shape what you do.

A pastor’s life should be a living illustration of how the gospel changes a man. He should be a flesh-and-blood picture of godliness shaped by grace. And according to Paul’s letter to Titus, there are four things God is looking for in a man called to lead His people. Not four leadership hacks. Not four personality types. Four gospel-anchored, Spirit-shaped characteristics that mark a man fit to shepherd the flock of God.

So here’s the question: Are we raising up that kind of leader? Are we becoming that kind of leader? Because the church doesn’t need more experts. It needs more shepherds—men who smell like sheep, stay close to Jesus, and keep their eyes on the cross.

Titus 1:5–9 ESV

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— 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. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

1.He Must Be a Man with Godly Commitments Titus 1:5–6

Now Paul didn’t just hand out leadership positions like party favors. No, sir. He understood the weight of shepherding God’s people. So when it came to the churches on the island of Crete—an island that was long on myth and short on moral clarity—Paul sent in a man he trusted: Titus.

We don’t have all the details of Paul’s time on Crete. Sure, Acts 27 tells us he passed through during his journey to Rome, but the way Paul talks here in Titus? It sounds like he did more than just grab a snack and change ships. Somewhere along the way, the gospel was preached and churches were planted, even if it’s not all recorded in our Bibles.

What we do know is that Cretans were in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost (Acts 2:11). Maybe some of them got saved, got filled with the Spirit, and went home with fire in their bones and the gospel on their lips. Either way, by the time Titus shows up, the gospel work is underway—but it’s messy, it’s immature, and it’s happening in a place saturated with idol worship and pagan mythology.

This island wasn’t just any island—it was known as the mythical birthplace of Zeus, the land of the Minotaur, and a hotbed of emperor worship. In other words, this wasn’t Sunday school in the Bible Belt. It was a spiritual battlefield. And Paul knew that if these baby churches were going to survive, they needed men who were anchored—men with godly commitments.

So he tells Titus, "put what remained in order. Appoint elders." But not just any men. These leaders had to be the real deal—faithful, proven, deeply committed to the things of God. Why? Because when the winds of culture start blowing hard, you don’t want a guy who’s flapping in the breeze. You want a man who’s tied to the mast of God’s Word, standing strong for the gospel, and walking in integrity when no one’s watching.

That’s what this passage is about. Titus was called to raise up those kinds of men. And today? That calling hasn’t changed.

Be Faithful to the Church Titus 1:5

Paul didn’t leave Titus in Crete to sip sweet tea and wait on Jesus to come back. No, he gave him a mission. A holy assignment. Two reasons, plain and simple: straighten out what was broken, and raise up the kind of leaders who can carry the weight of God’s church.

That phrase “set right what was left undone” in the Greek is the same idea behind how an orthodontist lines up crooked teeth. There were some things out of alignment in these young churches—some things left messy—and Titus was sent to tighten it all up, to bring spiritual alignment where there was disorder. That’s what faithfulness to the church looks like: stepping into the mess and, by the grace of God, putting things back in gospel order.

And part of that order? Appointing elders. Not just warm bodies. Not yes-men. But men who meet God’s qualifications—men with gospel grit, spiritual maturity, and lives that back up their calling. It wasn’t about popularity. It was about holiness. Titus wasn’t picking a fantasy football team—he was putting shepherds over the flock of God.

Now let’s be clear: the New Testament only gives us two offices in the church—elders and deacons. And while words like “pastor,” “overseer,” and “elder” get tossed around, biblically they’re talking about the same office. And more often than not, they’re mentioned in the plural—because leadership in the church is never meant to be a one-man show.

But the focus of Scripture isn’t on how many elders a church has—it’s on who they are. Not flashy. Not famous. But faithful. The kind of men who know the voice of the Good Shepherd and lead His people with humility, integrity, and courage.

So what does it mean to be faithful to the church? It means you fix what’s broken. You straighten what’s crooked. And you start at the top—with leaders who love Jesus more than they love themselves. That’s how you care for the Bride of Christ. That’s how you honor the One who died to redeem her.

As Peter said, these leaders are called to shepherd “God’s flock” (1 Pet. 5:2). And that’s no small thing.

Be Faithful to Others Titus 1:6

When Paul starts listing what kind of man should lead the church, he doesn’t begin with gifting or charisma. He doesn’t say, “Find the best communicator” or “Pick the guy with the most followers.” No, he starts with character. And the first thing out of his mouth? Blameless.

That word “blameless” doesn’t mean perfect—it means above reproach. It means you can’t pin anything shady on him. His life isn’t full of cracks or contradictions. There’s no scandal hiding in the shadows, no backdoor secrets waiting to blow up his ministry. He’s the same man on Sunday morning that he is on Monday night.

This is a man whose life preaches the gospel before his mouth ever does.

Paul even doubles down on it in verse 7. Why? Because this kind of integrity is the foundation for everything else. You can have all the talent in the world, but if your character can’t carry the weight of your calling, you will fall—and others will fall with you.

Blamelessness is the baseline. It’s the starting point. And when a man walks like that—when he’s the real deal through and through—his life becomes a pattern worth following, a model worth imitating. Not because he’s flawless, but because he’s faithful.

Faithful to his family. Faithful to his church. Faithful to others. Faithful to Jesus.

That’s what the church needs. Not celebrities in the pulpit, but servants in the trenches. Men who can say, like Paul, “Follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1)—and not have to duck their heads when they say it.

Be Faithful to Your Wife Titus 1:6

Paul keeps it simple and strong: an elder must be “the husband of one wife.” In the Greek, it reads like this—“a one-woman man.” That’s not just about marital status. It’s about devotion. It’s not merely saying, “He’s got one ring on his finger.” It’s saying, “His heart, his eyes, his thoughts, and his affections belong to one woman—and it’s the woman he’s covenanted with before God.”

Now, nobody in Crete was out here thinking polygamy was a spiritual gift. That’s not what Paul’s correcting. He’s going deeper—he’s talking about fidelity, purity, and a man’s integrity behind closed doors. This isn’t just about not cheating; it’s about being fully committed. Emotionally. Mentally. Physically. Spiritually. He’s not a flirt. He’s not addicted to his phone, scrolling late at night. He’s not giving himself away in pixels or private conversations.

John MacArthur puts it like this: “An elder must have an unsullied, lifelong reputation for devotion to his spouse and to sexual purity.” In other words—this man’s not chasing women, not chasing clicks, not chasing shadows. He’s chasing Jesus. And he’s loving his wife like Christ loved the church.

Now let’s be honest—this is where things get heavy. What about the divorced? What about the man who’s blown it in the past but repented? What about the guy who’s been forgiven but carries a history? There’s some mystery here, and we tread with humility. Personally, I see “blameless” and “one-woman man” as deeply connected—so I believe adultery or ongoing sexual sin disqualifies a man from pastoral ministry, even if forgiveness has been granted. Grace? Yes. Forgiveness? Absolutely. But that doesn’t mean restored leadership.

Still, I know faithful men land in different places here. So I extend grace to the brothers who, with a clean conscience before God, view this text differently. But let’s not miss the main point: this is a man who is known for one woman—and one woman only. He’s devoted to her, honors her, and pursues her like she’s the only girl in the world.

Because in his eyes—and in his heart—she is.

That’s the kind of man who leads well. That’s the kind of man who reflects Jesus.

Be Faithful to Your Children Titus 1:6

If you want to know whether a man is ready to lead in God’s house, look at how he leads in his own. Because the home isn’t just where we kick back and relax—it’s where the shepherding starts. Paul says an elder must have “faithful children,” and that’s not just about behavior—it’s about spiritual influence. The home is the training ground for leadership in the church. And if you can’t disciple a few kids under your own roof, what makes you think you’re ready to shepherd the flock of God?

Paul doesn’t leave us guessing—1 Timothy 3:5 lays it out: “If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?” Spoiler alert: he won’t.

Now, there’s some honest debate about what “faithful children” means. Are we talking about kids who are respectful and obedient? Or kids who are full-blown believers? Well, the answer is yes—sort of. Clearly, they need to be under control, not running wild. That’s baseline. But the heart of a godly father doesn’t stop there—he longs to see his children walk in truth. So while obedience is required, genuine faith is the goal.

Bryan Chapell says it well: this isn’t about judging one moment or one meltdown in Target. It’s not one bad week or a single tough season. We’re looking at the trajectory of the home. What kind of culture has this dad created? Are his kids growing in respect, in honor, and hopefully—in faith?

As long as those kids are under our care—under our roof, under our authority—we’re responsible. God doesn’t expect perfection from our kids, but He does expect intentionality from us. And a godly dad will do whatever it takes—late nights, hard talks, time off, heart-to-heart discipline, and gospel conversations—to disciple his kids in the way of Jesus.

So let me ask you, pastor, elder, dad: are you shepherding your house like it belongs to God? Because it does. Are your children being shaped by the Word of God, or just entertained by the world? You can’t pass the faith to the next generation if you’re not even passing it down your hallway.

Faithfulness to your kids isn’t about being their buddy—it’s about being their shepherd.

And if we want to lead well in the church, it starts with being faithful at home.

2. He Must Be a Man of Godly Character Titus 1:8

If you want to know what kind of man God uses, Titus 1:8 gives you a snapshot. It’s not a résumé built on performance, it’s a portrait shaped by character. After listing five things an elder must not be, Paul flips the coin and gives six marks that must be present in the life of a godly man. This is what "blameless" actually looks like when it gets boots on the ground.

Pursue the Right Priorities

First up: he’s hospitable and a lover of what is good. In other words, this man doesn’t live with his front door locked and his heart closed off. Hospitality here doesn’t mean dinner parties and matching napkins. It means your life is open to people who need help—even if they don’t look like you, think like you, or believe like you. You don’t just invite the neighbors over for burgers—you welcome the hurting, the lonely, the outcasts.

And when Paul says he “loves what is good,” he’s not talking about the kind of good that culture claps for—he means the kind of good God defines. Philippians 4:8 good. Gospel-good. The kind that’s true, honorable, pure, and praiseworthy. This man’s heart beats for righteousness. He’s a virtue lover. His life is chasing after what’s good and right—not just for himself, but for others too.

Possess the Right Perspective

He’s also sensible. Now that word doesn’t sound flashy—but don’t overlook it. In fact, Paul says it five times in just two chapters of this letter. It means this man’s not reckless or driven by emotions. He’s sober-minded, balanced, measured. He doesn’t panic when things fall apart. He doesn’t live in the highs and lows of circumstance. He sees the world the way God sees it—and he responds with wisdom, not just reaction.

This kind of calm, Christlike clarity only comes one way: by the grace of God (Titus 2:11–12). This is not self-help or mental toughness—it’s gospel-formed perspective. God’s grace trains us to live with a clear head and a steady heart in a world that’s anything but.

Produce the Right Pattern

From that kind of perspective flows a pattern of life—and Paul gives two more words: righteous and holy. Righteous means this man deals with people justly. He’s fair. He doesn’t show favoritism. He’s not two-faced. He treats others the way God has treated him—with grace and integrity. And holy? That doesn’t mean weird or spiritually elite. It means pure. Unpolluted. His life is clean not because he’s perfect—but because he’s consistently repenting, walking in the light, and refusing to get comfortable with compromise.

He doesn’t reflect the culture. He reflects Christ.

Promote the Right Passion

Last but not least, he’s self-controlled. In other words, the man of God is mastered. Not by lust. Not by anger. Not by pride. He’s not impulsive, and he doesn’t make excuses. He’s got a grip on himself because the Spirit of God has a grip on him.

Eugene Peterson puts it this way in The Message—he’s a man who’s got “a good grip on himself.” And how does that happen? It’s not willpower. It’s the Word. This kind of self-control comes when a man submits his whole life—his habits, his hurts, his hungers—to the mirror of Scripture and the leadership of the Holy Spirit (James 1:24). Every day, he lays himself bare before God and asks, “Search me, O God, and know me.”

That’s the kind of man God uses. He’s not flashy. He’s faithful. He’s not perfect—but he is pursuing. Pursuing what is good. Pursuing a clear mind. Pursuing holiness. Pursuing Jesus.

That’s what a man of Godly character looks like.

3. He Must Be a Man with Godly Convictions Titus 1:9

You can’t lead God’s people if you’re not anchored to God’s Word. Paul shifts gears in Titus 1:9 and moves from character to convictions—because it’s not enough for a man to live right; he’s also got to believe right and teach right. Why? Because wrong doctrine always leads to wrong living. Bad theology is like poison in the bloodstream—it might not kill you instantly, but give it time, and it’ll rot the soul.

Be Devoted to the Truth

Paul says a faithful elder must be “holding to the faithful message as taught.” Not dabbling in it. Not adjusting it. Not casually quoting it when it fits his mood. No, he clings to it like it’s his lifeline—because it is. He doesn’t let go of the gospel for the latest trend or a crowd-pleasing message. He doesn’t ditch the Word for motivational fluff or emotional hype. He holds fast.

And that means he believes this Book—from cover to cover. Inspired. Inerrant. Authoritative. Sufficient. It’s not just a word. It’s the Word. And he’s not just a man with a Bible—he’s a man under the Bible. Gladly. Willingly. Submissively.

He doesn’t stand in the pulpit to share opinions, tips, or life hacks. He comes to preach the Word of God as it is, to people as they are. And when he does, he honors what God said and how God said it. He’s not a performer. He’s not a platform-builder. He’s an expositor. A servant of the text. A mouthpiece for heaven.

Be Diligent to Teach

But clinging to the truth isn’t just about protection—it’s also about proclamation. Paul says the elder must be able “to encourage with sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.” That means he’s got a double assignment: build up the saints and shut down the lies.

This phrase “sound teaching” literally means “healthy doctrine.” And let’s be clear—if there’s healthy teaching, then there’s also diseased doctrine. Stuff that looks shiny on the surface but eats away at the bones. That’s why the faithful elder has to be both a pastor and a protector. A preacher and a physician. He comforts the sheep and confronts the wolves.

And confronting false teaching? It’s not going to win you fans. You won’t be trending. But we’re not in this to be liked—we’re in this to be faithful. Faithful to Christ. Faithful to His people. So whether it’s the soft lies of prosperity theology, the confusion of open theism, or the old heresies dressed up in “new orthodoxy” clothing—we call it out, and we call people back to truth.

Because truth matters. Eternity is on the line.

Romans 16:17 makes it plain:“watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”

That’s straight from the Word of God.

Be Consistent in Life and Doctrine

This isn’t just about what we say. It’s about what we live.

Richard Baxter warned pastors not to “unsay with your lives what you say with your tongues.” In other words, don’t preach holiness and live in compromise. Don’t declare the truth and deny it with your character. Don’t tell others to treasure Christ while you secretly worship the applause of men.

Our godly convictions have to match our daily conduct. If they don’t, we’re not just ineffective—we’re dangerous. But when a man’s beliefs and life line up—when his mouth and his heart are synced—you’ve got a man worth trusting. A shepherd worth following.

As Colossians 1:28 reminds us, “We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” That’s the goal. That’s the mission. That’s the call.