God doesn’t change and neither does His instruction of basic principles for pastors, young or old. As the world changes Christian leaders need to remember that the attractions and methods of modern society move people to pursue many constantly changing styles, but the way of Christ does not change to suit the tastes or demands of society. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, NKJV), and He expects His people, especially Christian leaders, to resist compromising His standards (which He expects to be practiced and taught), simply to have assurance of being liked and to have followers. This is a temptation that can and should be resisted with the help of the Holy Spirit. If it is your will to resist, He will help.

It requires strength, courage and confidence, but Jesus said “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, NKJV). That is an absolute. He was talking at that time about salvation, but His statement about God was absolute and applies to everything. So, if you have been called to lead and to preach, and to pastor His sheep, then gird yourself like a warrior and have the confidence that Joshua had when the Lord spoke to him saying “be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land that I swore to their fathers to give them” (Joshua 1:6, NKJV). If God has assigned a certain people to you, for a particular purpose (which He has already disclosed to you, or will disclose to you if you diligently seek His will), then He will use you to do it, and as He told Joshua in verse 10:25, He will deal with your enemies. Therefore, be of good cheer and boldly expect all things to work together for good, for you and your ministry.

Titus was a young pastor and the Apostle Paul had great confidence in him and his ability to handle the church that was on the island of Crete, where the people were well known to be of low moral character and difficult to manage. God wrote to Titus (and you) through the pen of Paul with encouraging and specific instructions for leading that flock. Those instructions apply to us all, and when obeyed, without flinching, will please God and assure success. Paul’s letter of instruction lists the requirements for selecting elders, insists on sound doctrine, states the duties of elderly men and women; young men and women; and servants; and warns against false teaching. It includes two excellent doctrinal passages (2:1-14; 3:4-7). This is the formula for victory.