The Paul Factor: Impacting the Marketplace - Week 6: Paul the Leader

Take a minute and write down one word character qualities of a leader.

As we look at Paul's ministry in the marketplace, he loved what he did. He went on three mission trips and his trip to Rome, which lasted years at times. He was stoned, put into prison, beaten, rejected, yet he continued on! We see him talking to people in the marketplace, dialogue with others with confidence in his faith. We see him as a man with a vision and passion to share this hope that he received through Christ. He planted churches and trained others to lead them. His leadership qualities help spread the Gospel through out the Roman Empire. Why was Paul successful? He took what he knew and applied it to the church. What do I mean...remember in "Paul the Business Owner", the tradition of the Jewish culture was to learn the Scriptures through a Rabbi. Once their education was over around 12-13 years of age, they learned a trade from their father. That meant being with him and learning the business. As we know, business includes people skills, marketing, vision, the ability to accept rejection and the passion to sell. You learned your skills by watching your father. Probably at a certain age or when your father felt it was time, the business expanded and you opened your store or you took over the business from dad. I believe it was these lessons that Paul applied to the expansion of the church. It is what shaped his idea of leadership. Paul also gives us an insight these qualities of a leader. We find it in Titus.

Paul and Titus were traveling partners, so for Titus he saw first hand Paul's leadership skills and what it took to lead the body of believers. We assume that Paul introduced Christianity to the island called Crete, when he visited. Paul trained, equipped and then allowed Titus to run the new body of believers as Paul continued on his journey. The people of Crete were known for their dishonesty, laziness and moral decay. This church had a rough start, which gives us an insight into Paul's confidence in Titus...

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. Titus 1:5

The book of Titus is known to us as a "pastoral letter", because of its content of order and business in the church. For Titus, Paul writes the qualities of a leader, qualities that need to be looked for in those helping him build the church. Qualities that I believe are important when it come to applying it to our lives. Lets take a look (Titus 1:6-9)...

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Now elders and overseers were two identities that at times could mesh together. An elder was expected to be one of maturity in their faith, where an overseers was one that had responsibility over others. So one could be an elder while at the same time an overseer of a group of believers. Each were to have qualities that lead people to see their potential through Christ and also help them grow in their faith.

They were to be:

1. Blameless: This means that one was free from or not deserving blame. It was a person that lived with integrity. When we take a look back in history we have seen leaders lose their leadership quality with people because of a scandal. Does Watergate and a blue dress ring a bell?

2. Husband of but one wife: If married, they were to be faithful to their wife. Let's just say this...marriage was to be seen as more than a "thing" to do. It was to be respected and the vow made before God kept holy. Whether man or woman our marriage vows are not to be taken lightly. As a leader it does say something about the leadership of the heart. Take a look at one time Presidential candidate Mark Sanford. Once his affair broke out with his "soul mate", no one trusted or respected him.

3. Children are not to be wild and disobedient: When are children are at home, they are a reflection of us. Our qualities and ideas will shine through them. Once they leave, it is our hopes that they will never forget the lesson we taught them.

Then Paul writes down the following concerning an overseer...

Blameless. Not overbearing. Not Quick tempered. Not given to drunkenness. Not Violent. Not pursuing dishonest gain.

They are to be hospitable. Loves to do good. Self controlled. Upright. Holy and disciplined.

Leaders are to live a life that others will be inspired to live out. Whether it be in business or life, we lead. As husbands we lead by being the spiritual leader in the home. We lead at home with our children. We lead in our business meeting. We lead in the class room. We lead in the church. We lead as a coach. We lead when we talk. We lead by our example. I believe Paul knew this and practiced it with those he inspired. These young men who would travel with him were left at times to run the church that Paul had just started. Paul knew leadership. He knew the qualities he was looking for in these men and he empowered them to finish the task. Listen what he said to Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12)...

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (NLT)

Leadership is not about bossing others to their greatness. Its about serving others to see their potential, in hope that they will release the vision you have imparted in them.

His call. His gifts to you. Your purpose. Irrevocable.