Real Leadership

“For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care for your interests.” “Because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life.” (Philippians 2:20, 30 CSB)

People often view Paul as a “Lone Ranger” type of individual, but in reality he was far more people-oriented than that. He was genuinely team-oriented in fact. He was willing to work without a team if he had to, but he very much preferred working with a team and actually worked more effectively that way.

Leaders sometimes appear to be effective in and of themselves, but behind every leader there is a team. The effectiveness of a leader depends to a great extent on the effectiveness of those he surrounds himself with, and the more effective leaders will surround themselves with other leaders and give themselves to the development of those leaders. That is what Paul did.

The two verses above refer to two such leaders that Paul developed – Timothy and Ephaphroditus. These two men were very different, and Paul developed their leadership according to their spiritual gifting. Timothy was more of a pastoral type of person, gifted by the Spirit to have a genuine concern and care for others. Ephaphroditus was more of a risk-taker type of person, gifted by the Spirit with a passion for the advancement of the kingdom of God.

God gives all of us the opportunity to influence someone. Influence is mainly what leadership is all about. It isn’t about, “How can I keep on being the leader.” It is about influencing and developing others. We would all do well to take a page from Paul’s leadership manual and serve more effectively by influencing and developing those the Lord brings into our lives.

Lord, Enable us today to influence and develop those around us in Your name and for Your glory, so that we and they may all fulfill the potential You have placed in us. Amen.