Answer

Paul as a Leader Who last

            Leadership is one of the effective components in the world today. According to Kraft, how leaders have led in the past and how they will lead in the future varies. Notably, Kraft indicates that past leadership operated in committees, was organizational, relied on command and control, was tightly structured and presented much emphasis on position. On the contrary, future leadership will be featured by aspects such as desirable teamwork, flexibility, and emphasis on empowerment among others. Kraft further mentions that a leader has unique components. Notably, Kraft relays that “A Christian leader is 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”.^[1] This paper provides an evaluation of the Apostle Paul  (Howell, Chapters 17–19) (Servants of The Servant) and whether or not he would fit the description “Leaders Who Last” as espoused in Howell’s Leaders Who Last (Parts 1–3).

Paul as a person who fits within the description “Leader Who Last”

            In Part 1 of Leaders who last, it is evident that leadership has several foundations. However, the bottom line is that a person’s leadership is a reflection of himself or herself. Notably, the first part of the book provides an indication that leadership starts and ends by maintaining a desirable understanding of the gospel as what is rooted in Christ’s grace as a free gift.^[2] Paul is regarded as a leader who last based on the fact that he strongly believed in the gospel of Christ and the fact that only him could save the people. The spiritual aspect is a fundamental element defining leaders who last. Although leadership is associated with power, one is required to have an effective understanding of Christianity in its entirety to be able to define the truth. Paul is regarded a leader who lasts because he was able to found his identity on Christ and further consider it a fundamental aspect driving his leadership. Evidently, Kraft relays that, “As I lead, I lead out of the reality of being saved by Jesus, and Jesus alone, and empowered by the Holy Spirit for the leadership role and responsibilities to which he calls me. It is too easy for the work and the ministry to be the center instead of Jesus himself”.^[3]

            Leaders who last should have their purpose be directly influenced by their power. Kraft suggest that when one have a biblically held purpose, he/she will be directed, motivated and detoured around any forms of distractions which may prevent him from achieving the set leadership goals. Paul relied on achieving his set biblical purpose by overcoming the different forms of distractions he experienced during his ministry. ^[4]According to Acts 20-28, it is apparent that Paul experienced suffering featured by persecution and imprisonment among others. Despite this, the apostle exercised courage after accepting suffering as an important aspect of his leadership. Arguably, Paul considers his suffering as an aspect which was intended for him, as a leader, by God. Paul embraced the bodily suffering as a leadership necessity according to the Jesus’ way.

            Paul was also a leader who managed to maintain a personal and vibrant relationship with God. Showing his ability to build his leadership is the guidance offered by God is a fundamental requirement for a leader who last. Such leaders need to believe in God and praying for God to give them eyes to see and approach them with courage without doubt. ^[5]Leaders are to have a framework on selecting a few people to start with by teaching them and growing or encouraging others who might already be leading at different places. Leaders are to device their plan in terms of maturity of the leader and their level of experience. No one can work with each leader the same way. Apostle Paul records in the book of First Thessalonians Chapter 2:11-12, “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” Therefore, how a leader deals with an individual sounds like that of the father and a child.^[6] Leader should as well encourage others for them to prosper in their leadership roles.

            In Kraft’s Leaders who last, leaders are required to serve their followers without expecting the same from them.^[7] During his leadership period, Paul acted as a servant. Evidently, Paul continually referred to himself as Christ’s slave (Romans, 1:1). Despite the fact that the description denotes Paul as a privilege status provided to apostleship, it is still regarded as a way that the leader humbles himself before Christ. Through this form of humility and devotion, the leader is also considered as a humble servant of Christ and the people. In 2 Cor. 4:5, it is evident that Paul considers himself as a slave to those he ministers to as well as his converts. Unlike the authoritative leaders evident in the world today, it is a factor that the Paul does not claim that he only serves Christ and not the people. On the contrary, Paul maintains that he is a servant of the people who follow him too.

Paul’s actions also provided an indication that he was ready to serve the people through his actions. The fact that he was willing to give up his position as an epistle when required, rather than requiring that the people treat him differently is also a fundamental factor showing that Paul was a servant of the people. Notably, “He (Paul) labored with his own hands and did not get paid for his ministerial service” (Acts 20:33-35). Leaders are on a journey attracting others to be joining them since they are the greatest assets they always influence. The only challenge they face is identifying such people to incorporate them in leadership.  Spending time with such leaders will determine how effective they are and in influencing them to fulfill their vision. Therefore, leaders should spend most of their time with resourceful people, important people, trainable people, nice people, and draining people. When leaders bring such people on board, they leadership will be the best ever in the society and they will last longer in serving their society. However, they should avoid spending more time with ineffective people since such people only do not add any value to their leadership instead pulling them behind.

            Paul is also regarded as a leader who lasts because he was considered as a person with a shepherd’s heart. Paul was not considered as a pastor but someone who functioned more like a pioneer missionary. The fact that he never stayed within a single church for extended periods as required for most pastors provides an explanation why the Apostle was not considered as one. Nevertheless, in his work, Paul is referred to as a shepherd. For instance, in Ephesians 4:11, Paul is referred to as the shepherd of the church. Moreover, cases of Paul’s shepherd’s heart are recognized in his letters. Although, the epistle was never recognized as a senior pastor, it is evident that his pastoral concerns and interests are relayed in his letters suggesting his pastoral care through his role. The leaders of today have little time on leadership development. Churches, organizations and any group will only develop making a positive impact in to the society when they become leader makers.

            Conclusively, Paul fits within the description of “Leaders who last” since he shows his interest and desire to serve Christ and the people. This is reflected in the ability of the Apostle to show his desire to be a servant of the people who he was ministering to and to Christ. Moreover, it is also evident that the apostle faced suffering during his time as a leader and never drifted away from his mission of ministering God’s word. This suggests that he exercised courage in the face of his tribulations, thus emulating Christ as a leader.