BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP EVALUATION PAPER ASSIGNMENT
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BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP EVALUATION PAPER ASSIGNMENT
Emmanuel J. Augustine
CLED 365 - The Personal Development of a Leader
March 2024
Introduction
One of the most prolific and well-known figures in scripture is the apostle Paul. He is regarded today as a builder of faith communities. As described in the biblical account of his life administration, he underwent a radical conversion that led to a life of devotion and service to the Lord. Paul is undoubtedly a leader of great spiritual, authority, and influence as the author of nearly half of the New Testament. Using Kraft’s definition of lasting leadership, this paper will evaluate the life and leadership of the apostle Paul and determine whether or not he can be called
a “Leader who Lasts”.
Defining a Lasting Leader
A lasting leader is defined by Kraft as being “a humble, God-dependent, team-playing, servant of God who is called by God to shepherd, develop, equip, and empower a specific group of believers, to accomplish an agreed-upon vision from God”.
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Leaders with this kind of fiery devotion to the Lord and to kingdom work permeate every aspect of their lives. Key ingredients of leadership are humility, dependency on God, teamwork, sense of direction, a sense of calling from God, equipping and empowering and a sense of service. A good example of a modern day lasting leader would be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was instrumental in overturning segregated laws, resulting in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Lasting leadership qualities can fit into (3) categories: foundational, formational, and fruitful.
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In the foundational category, lasting leaders live -
With Christ in the center as their power
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Christ as they develop a purpose
1
Dave Kraft, “Leaders Who Lasts” (Wheaton, IL. Crossway, 2010) Introduction. 2
“Leaders Who Lasts” Introduction.
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Christ as they develop passion(s)
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Christ as they set priorities
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Christ as they set pacing
In the formation category, leaders must possess -
Calling
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Gifts
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Character
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Growth
In the fruitfulness category, leaders must possess -
Vision
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Influence -
Legacy
Now that we have these clarifications, we can explore and answer the question of whether Paul is a “ Leader who lasts”. Evaluation of the Apostle Paul
The author Howell describes Paul to be “Authoriative, Exhortiative, Accountable, Affirmatory, Sacrificial, and Missional”.
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According to Paul, his power is anchored in Christ, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”. (Gal 2:20
NKJV). In his letter to the church at Colossus, Paul derives his purpose from serving Christ, “He is the one we proclaim, admondnishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me”. (Col 1:29 NKJV).
We should all want to posses the same passion that Paul possessed to reach people for Christ. The centrality of Christ in Paul’s life is what prompted his passion. In 1 Corinthinasn 9:19-23 “Even though I’m free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all”. 3
Howell, “Servants of the Servant. A Bilical Theology of Leadership” (Eugene, OR. Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2003).
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Philippians 3:8, says that Paul gave up everything to serve Christ. It’s at this point that you truly find out who you are when you have to leave your culture. You truly find out who you are when you have to leave your surrounding, friends and all the things that makes us so comfortable as Christian believers. Otherwise, you will never truly know who you are, until you have got to leave your world and get into their world. Paul’s priority was missionary work, to reach the unreached. Even as his ministry threatened his life, he continued to share the gospel, be a mentor to disciples, and consult newly formed churches. Paul also paced himself throught his ministry, in order to protect his passion, purpose, and priorities. Sabbath rest was something he understood, practiced, and encouraged in his own life and in those he invested in. Paul writes, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter into that rest”. (Hebrews 4:9-11 NKJV). As a result, Paul was able to meet the foundational criteria of one who would be able to lead for generations to come.
Once known as Saul, he was very effective at chasing down Christians to either capture or kill them. The famous story of the “Road to Damascus” accounts for Saul’s conversion to Paul. As Saul got closer to the city, a bright light reflected from heaven, blinding him, and caused him to fall to the ground. He could hear the voice of Christ say “Why do you persecute me”. When Paul’s sight was restored, he immediately began to preach and stated “I want you to know, brothers and sisters that the gospel I preach is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught. I received it by revelation from Christ” (Galation 1:11 NKJV).
Visionary leadership was a hallmark of Paul’s missionary work. From our author, Kraft, defines this as an individual “Who’s on a mission. They are gifted motivators, setting a direction,
and creating excitement and a sense of adventure. They have a destination in mind and possess the ability to take others along on the journey”.
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The Apostle Paul was capable “to appeal to the minds and wills of believers to respond with a voluntary obedience to the lordship of Christ”.
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In other words, he was able to motivate believers with his vision. God-honoring and pleasing lives are the vision and obedience is the direction. In the military, as you progress in the ranks, leaders must be able to effectively change from a tactical leader into an organizational leader. Meaning, instead of focusing on (1) mission at a time to now focusing on the overarching strategies behind each mission. To be an effective orgainzational leader, a senior leaders must be emotionally literate and capable of influencing others. This requires them to understand not only themselves, but also their superiors, peers, and subordinates. Kraft also writes about influence “a person who’s on a journey and has the ability to attract others to join him on that journey”.
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Paul had a trusted peers and mentees, whom included, Peter, Barnabas, Timothy and Silas. Similar to modern day military leaders who must remain consistent and stedfast, Paul was also a “hard charger” or as Howelll puts it “When the integrity of the gospel is at stake, Paul is the most unbending of leaders”.
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You can get a better understanding of this from Paul’s letters to the churches at Corinth, Philippi, and Rome.
Finally, the recently retired, Nick Saban, is widely considered as the greatest modern day football coach in history and who has left a legacy that will be tough to match. Since college programs no longer have a chance at hiring Nick Saban, they’ll settle for the next best thing, 4
Kraft. “Leaders who Lasts” Chapter 10.
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Kraft. “Leaders who Lasts” Chapter 10. 6
Kraft. “Leaders who Lasts” Chapter 11.
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Howell. “Servants of the Servant” pg 260.
those whom have assisted and have been influenced by him. Even today, Paul remains regarded as a pillar of faith within Christianity because of the way he’d lived. Paul left a legacy of developing leaders, not followers. He mentored Timothy, who became an awesome spiritual leader. “Paul’s unbending allegiance to the corpus revealed truth and his bold confrontation of those who depart from it serve as a model for authentic leadership for all ages”.
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This is how Paul was able to legitimately met the criteria of a lasting leader. Conclusion
Paul’s convergence is a testimony of Christ’s transformative power. Paul described himself as the chiefest, worst of the worst sinners. The result from traveling on the road to Damascus, Paul life was devoted to the building of the church and spreading the Gospel of Christ. Paul is easily regarded as one of the greatest biblical leaders in history. Out of the (27) books of the (NT), Paul wrote (13) of them. In all these ways, Paul can undoubtdley be described
as a “Leader who Lasts”. 8
Howell. “Servants of the Servant” pg 257.
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Bibliography
Howell, Don N. Jr. “Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership”. Eugene OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2003. Kraft, Dave. “Leaders Who Last” Wheaton, IL. Crossway, 2010.