Local churches must have leaders to coordinate their labor, set an example for the congregation, and preserve the doctrinal tenets of the faith. They serve as under-shepherds to the Great-Shepherd, Jesus Christ and they must be able to say, as Paul does, “Follow me as I follow Christ”. The church planting work in Crete was not considered complete until qualified men were publicly entrusted with these leadership positions in each local church.
Titus 1:4-9