When we are going to build a new machine to do a specific job we will create a prototype. A first off example of what we hope to replicate. That is what we can do by examining those people who were effective at leadership in the early church. Prototype Leadership.
If we find our leadership team lacking or weak it’s best to do what manufacturers do, go back to the prototype and see what the original intent was. I have found 12.
Let’s see what examples for excellence in spiritual leadership looks like:
Barnabas - Encouraging Builder and Defender.
Barnabas was generous, perhaps a person of wealth, he was able to move in social circles. He supported Saul before the Apostles. He traveled with Paul after commissioning. He defended John Mark before Paul. He was always there for people. Faithful, loyal and encouraging. Willing to go out on a limb for others.
A Barnabas is always trying to introduce you to others and others to others. He is running interference. He doesn't take lightly the place he holds as building up the body of Christ in encouragement. Look for the gifted edifiers in your midst. You need them as part of the team.
Silas. Got your back and not looking for position.
Silas was a Roman. Silvanus. But when he became a Christian he suffered chains with Paul. He worshipped in spite of the chains. Not complaining. Not trying for first position. He had laid down much to be part of the team. Faithful and steady and loyal to the cause.
You have such men, they just want to be able to help bring things along. They are faithful even when it gets tough. The Silvanus' in your life will labor along side you taking the same beatings, worship anyway and never complain.
Stephan - Full of Faith and Power with a servants heart.
When put into a place of waiting tables he worked hard at it and became the target of the persecutors of the early church. Martyred. What makes Stephan's story and character interesting is even though his job was the table, he exuded truths of the kingdom. He couldn't keep silent. That powerful testimony eventually cost his life.
He died with his eyes on Jesus. The faith and power in his life served as a template for others to meet persecution with joy and confidence.
Men and women among you who are full of this faith, power and confidence who are willing to serve are to be examples in the body of Christ of what it means to really be sold out for Jesus. Some will criticize them. That doesn’t' mean they are wrong. It just means they are different. Consider such for leadership roles. You need this positive leaven.
Crispus and Titius Judas - Converts willing to take the heat.
Probably not household words but good examples in any case of the type of Leaders of to look for. These were leaders in the synagogue in Corinth. Titius Judas was a Jew. Perhaps the leader of the synagogue. Crispus was a Gentile who was a follower of God in the Jewish tradition. There is no information how either of them came into the faith in Jesus, who first or who second. But they were certainly leaders of the church at Corinth. The local Pharisee community gave them a lot of trouble. And the church they led was difficult to lead. They knew how to take heat. They were willing to suffer the humiliation of affiliation with the "Way" and not to worry about it. The former things were former.
If you have people who come from a different religious tradition, they have depth. They understand that some from the tradition of their past will see them as wrong and reject them. If they are able to stand the heat they are good candidates for leadership.
Apollos - Effective Charismatic and Teachable Powerhouse
The Apollos in your life is going to always be great to have around, he holds lots of promise, he is a great teacher, he is influential. Sometimes these good men and women are somewhat misdirected or unable to go deeper. But if they are teachable and will take direction they can carry out the mission of God in your Church for a long way. Never see him as a threat. He is a workhorse and well equipped.
John Mark – Imperfect but redeemed
John Mark was there with Jesus. He wrote the book of Acts. He was present at Pentecost. He traveled with Paul, Barnabas and others. His lack of courage to continue with Paul became a point of contention between Barnabas and Paul. Mark was not welcomed to work with Paul for a while. The day came however when he was welcomed and Mark did work to redeem himself.
Some leaders fumble the ball. The tendency is to write them off. They can’t be trusted. That was the case with Mark. The fact is a second chance when they are ready will be not only worthwhile but you might find the Marks in your midst solid and loyal when they pick up the baton again.
Don’t write the Marks in your midst off. Wait, train, stay steady. That slightly timid or shaky one might turn out to be a trusted associate someday in the future.
Priscilla and Aquilla – Hospitable Business Partners
This couple had a tent factory. They supported Paul, Led Apollos into the Baptism of Jesus and of the Holy Ghost, traveled with Paul and in general used their skill to build the kingdom at that time.
They didn’t do it from worldly skill as much as from the anointing that was on their business and ministry. They had a ministry of helping other ministers.
You will have well trained, experience, savvy people in your midst with deep spiritual discernment. They are a source of hospitality, opening their home, offering a safe port in the storm of ministry, encouraging, sometimes correcting and always supportive. The tendency is to overlook the gift they bring in themselves. How can they run a business, having never led a church, been to seminary and still help develop spiritual depth in others who are active in the pulpit. That is the ministry of these people in your midst. You disengage them at your risk.
The Apostle Paul – Bold and Able
It’s easy to overlook the humanity of Paul. There is so much to admire about him, his work, his influence, his call, his apostleship. We over-admire him. He struggled with the same issues we all do; Anger, pride, resentment, bullheadedness, regret and a hundred other human characteristics.
If you have a Paul (Apostle or not) in your midst you know he will call you out. He won’t let you get away with things. He’ll be there for you but you also know he will sometimes come off harshly. If you take offense he won’t feel sorry for you. The kingdom is more important to him than your feelings. Hear him. He may not be good on your board. He will be good to hear. You certainly will want him to preach and teach. To have such a man in your midst and not use him to his full capacity robs the house of God. His spiritual gifts are many and rich. But they aren’t for him to keep hidden. He has shaken the dust off his feet before and if set aside will again. His call is the kingdom of God and taking back ground from the Devil. Value him, hear him, and let him do what he does as long as he is among you.
Bluntly, most ministry leaders couldn’t deal with an apostle Paul in their midst very long. Either they would defer to him and forfeit their leadership completely or they would put him aside or even out and never get the benefit of this great gift. There is balance. Find it.
Phillip – Obedient to the Spirit in Revival
I know Phillip is called an evangelist. He is. But I think in today’s terms he’s a revivalist. He loved being in the middle of a move of God. He wanted to see God causing people to ask “What hindereth me to be baptized?”
You have people in your midst who are hungry and passionate to see God move. They talk about it, they think about it, they go where revival is going on. They never quit. Poke them at 3AM and they can rehearse what God is doing or about to do.
They will fire the flame of revival in your heart and in the hearts of others. This is not an empty hope; this is a passion that ignites long dead coals. They stir up the Spirit. If you have this person in your midst you do yourself a favor by having them in leadership to hold the promise and vision of the move of God in your midst. You need to hear this more than anyone.
Timothy – A Workman Unashamed
Much has been written about and to Timothy. Many pages of instructions on who and what criteria to put in the church for leadership were written to him. He was well trained. Spiritual Son of Paul the apostle. What isn’t noted as much is the workman, steady, faithful character of this young man. From a youth he left his Grandmother and Mother and traveled with Paul. Paul put him in charge of different churches.
Sometimes we have Timothys in our churches. Hard loyal workers. Willing and able to do what needs to be done. The good news is if you have such a one you can depend on him. The bad news is you might overburden him. Keep the Timothys in your church in place working. He will evolve into a mature leader you can trust. His payoff is being there and carrying the load. Encourage him to become able in teaching and the word. Sometimes the Timothy leaders depend on deeds more than doctrine.
But if the Timothys have a theme song its, “Lean on Me”.
You can.
The 12 Disciples at Ephesus – Building Blocks in Ministry
In a previous post I talked about what could have happened if these men had rejected Paul’s visit. But they didn’t. They went into training and if Ephesians 4 is any evidence they matured into a team of ministry gifted men developing others for the ministry. Paul taught them and they taught others. Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers.
I mention this as a group because you have in your midst men and women who have potential, who need development, release, prophetic identification, and instruction. From them will come the 5 fold ministry gifts your church needs. They are leaders in that they carry the Gift of God in them. They are a gift to the Body.
Don’t ignore them, don’t wait for them to step up, identify them, ask the prophet to help, and then as they blossom engage them in the gift God put in them.
You can build a powerful work of God in this way.
Tomorrow, the common essentials in All 12 of these prototypical gifted leaders you must find in your fellowship.
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