The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
It has been announced today that Dame Sarah Mullally has been nominated as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. We wish her well, and I hope you will include her in your prayers.
In saying this, I must be honest and say that my own view is that – for reasons of Bible not bigotry – I do not think it biblically appropriate for such senior leadership in the church to be held by a woman; I explain in more detail here. In saying this, I am expressing a view held by many, perhaps the majority, of world-wide Anglicans, as well as Bible teachers like John Stott and J I Packer. However, I say again that we must wish her well and remember her before the Lord.
She will face many calls about what needs to be done – improving safeguarding, arresting decline, etc. Be in no doubt – these really matter. But what does the Bible say?
The Apostle Paul’s delegate on Crete, Titus, had an overall leadership position, responsible for the appointment of leaders for the churches. In this sense, he had a bishop-like role. These were difficult days: what did Paul advise?
First, we see Paul’s great desire: the promotion of the truth that leads to godliness (1:1), in other words, the gospel. The preaching of this leads to nothing less than eternal life (1:2). The good news needs to be preached – and accurately. This, too, is our nation’s greatest need. Dame Sarah must do all she can to keep this front and centre.
Second, we see Paul’s deep concern: false teachers. Somehow – only a few years after the gospel had first reached the island – Crete had been infected by them. For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. (1:10) Tragically, whole households were being disrupted by their teaching (1:11).
The Church of England is currently being split by unbiblical teaching. Tragically, people are being led astray in some places by hearing this from their local church or bishops.
In the light of this, we see Paul’s simple answer – the appointment of elders (church leaders) who will clearly set forth the actual truth. Paul describes the elder: He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (1:9) God’s answer to a false teacher is a true one – who will preach both positively (encouraging) and negatively (refuting).
A rigorous programme of following Paul’s instruction would make an astounding difference in the Church of England, and to our whole nation. The great revival of the eighteenth century was characterised above all by many truth-telling local pastors being appointed to the pulpits of England.
Will we believe it really is as simple as this? Will Dame Sarah do this, or will others have to do it instead? Pray for this to happen!
