As Paul was writing to Titus, giving him instructions which would establish the church in Crete, he viewed the younger man as a close relative, part of his family.
Elders are both overseers of God's church and stewards/trustees. The Lord has delegated authority to them for ruling the churches, and they are accountable to Him.
Church elders must be 'men of the message': that was Paul's clear instruction to Titus as he set about his task of ordering the fast growing church in Crete.
Strong-minded people might make money in business or a power base in politics, but they can ruin God's purpose in the church unless they are fully submitted to Jesus Christ.
Paul's assessment, of the national temperament of the Cretan people, may seem harsh. But He merely agreed with a Cretan philosopher, based on his own experience of preaching on the Island.
