For the first 8 months of the year, we had been journeying through the Sermon on the Mount. With that series being wrapped up last month (you can find the whole series here if you missed it), we are now turning to a new series exploring the book of Titus— a short but powerful letter written by the Apostle Paul to a young pastor named Titus. Titus was ministering on the Greek island of Crete, a place with a mix of Jewish influence and a reputation for moral chaos. It was a dynamic and challenging environment, and Paul's letter offers Titus (and us) guidance on how to faithfully navigate the tension between faith and culture.
Paul opens his letter by calling himself a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, and he refers to Titus as his true child in a common faith. There's a beautiful blend of authority and tenderness in their relationship—a spiritual father mentoring his son in ministry.
The letter begins and ends with grace. That's not just a literary flourish; it's a reminder that everything we do in ministry must be rooted in the grace of God. Paul also highlights the hope of eternal life found in Christ, anchoring Titus in the bigger picture of the gospel.
After the intro, we find in Titus 1:5, Paul commissions Titus to appoint elders in every town in Crete. These leaders weren't chosen for their charisma, social status, or wealth—qualities that might have been prized in Crete. Instead, Paul emphasizes godly character. The qualifications echo those in 1 Timothy 3 and Acts 14:23, focusing on integrity, faithfulness, and the ability to teach and manager their households.
This stands in stark contrast to the cultural norms of Crete. Paul even quotes a Cretan author, Epimenides, who said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." (Titus 1:12). It's a harsh assessment, but it underscores the need for leaders who reflect God's standards, not the worlds.
Paul's message isn't just for church leaders. All followers of Christ are called to pursue the kind of character described in Titus 1. In a culture that often celebrates the opposite, we're reminded that our standards must come from God, not from the shifting values around us.
Sometimes, as in Crete, faith and culture collide. Titus was called to lead in that tension, and so are we. Whether we're in ministry, the workplace, or our homes, we're invited to live with integrity, grace, and hope—anchored in the truth of the gospel.
While this will be a short series as we finish out 2025, the truths found in Paul's letter to Titus are anything but small. In just three chapters, we'll explore how faith can flourish even in the midst of cultural tension, and how godly character (not charisma) shapes lasting leadership.
Join the journey as we learn more from Paul's letter to Titus. Let's discover together how grace, truth, and hope can guide us in every season.
Cornerstone Impact Update
What does your work reveal about your heart?
As we wrap up Part 2 of our "Every Good Endeavor" series, we're confronted with a sobering truth: our work often exposes the idols we serve.
Whether it's comfort, control, achievement, or image, these idols shape not just our personal lives, but our workplace cultures. From traditional to postmodern values, we see how good things can become ultimate things, distorting our view of work and others.
But there's hope. The gospel offers a new narrative—one where work is part of God's redemptive plan, guided by a moral compass and fueled by grace.
Let's reflect on what we worship through our work and look forward to Part 3, where we explore how the gospel transforms our daily labor.
Courtney Dent
Eventide
Eventide recently launched a new (and FREE) screening tool for faith-based investors: Good Investor Screening Tool. This tool allows investors to uncover ethical issues they may be profiting from through their investments. You can learn more about the tool and how to use it here:
Eventide has also started a series of reports on the five most common faith-based investment screens. The most recent report highlighted the pornography industry—an industry that profits from exploitation, including the abuse of children. You can read the full report here:
Inspire
Inspire Investing is celebrating a major win in its campaign to keep major retailers out of the abortion pill business. After months of petitions, investor outreach, and coalition efforts, Costco has confirmed it will not seek certification to dispense mifepristone. This decision reflects a commitment to customer-focused values and avoids entanglement in one of the most divisive issues of our time. Read the full story to learn how Inspire's engagement helped protect families, safeguard women's health, and promote long-term shareholder value:
Tim Schwarzenberger
