In this series on Paul’s leadership, we looked at the areas of Paul’s life that made him a great Bible leader.

There are three more areas that created powerful leadership.

Confident: Paul’s confidence was not based on who he was, but Jesus and what Christ had done for Him. It is significant to note Paul’s expressed confidence in others, like the Corinthians and Philemon.

Disciplined: Perhaps the most well known use of discipline is found in 1 Corinthians 9. Paul’s purpose in speaking about discipline was to ensure the message of the gospel aligned perfectly with the example of his life, a testimony of consistency.

Faithful: Christ considered Paul faithful. Even though his past was an example of blasphemy, persecution, and violence toward the church, the Lord could see something greater.

Paul exemplifies many qualities needed for leadership. Our confidence should also be in Christ, not ourselves. We should discipline our physical lives to be consistent with our spiritual message. Leaders should always be faithful to our charge in the gospel.

If we do so, God will use us in powerful ways to make a difference. Think Souls!

Ambition involves a desire to achieve something, usually requiring determination and hard work.

Defining ambition is not difficult. The difficulties arise when we consider where our ambition lies.

Are we ambitious to achieve financial security?

Is our ambition driven by receiving power and authority?

Would our ambition be characterized by selfish and physical priorities?

Or, can we say our ambition has a spiritual focus?

Paul identified an ambition that was spiritually and eternally developed, because our ambition is to please our Lord.

When our leadership is about pleasing the Lord it changes our approach to every area of life.

Relationships within our families will be shaped by Biblical principles.

Our conduct on the job is influenced by a God-fearing attitude.

Our approach to people who are outside of Christ is filled with a greater level of patience and compassion.

Beyond everything else, we worship with a greater understanding of the sovereignty of God.

When our leadership is driven by this kind of ambition the church will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.

As we complete this series, a key area when following a blueprint is the need for a good team working together to reach the desired end.

A leader is one who leads a team in one form or another.

The benefits to leading and working together as a team cannot be listed in one post, but here are a few to consider.

1) The amount of work achieved is done more quickly when working together as a team.

2) Each person on the team can focus on using their abilities for the good of the team.

3) Everyone can use their abilities more efficiently in a team.

4) Ideas are more abundant when several work together.

5) Opportunities for encouragement are greater when working as a team.

In construction, the people who specialize in foundations, plumbing, framing, sheet rock, painting, trimming, and interior design are all needed to make the project just right.

We find the same within the church. It takes those who specialize in cooking, cleaning, teaching, preaching, singing, praying, serving, shepherding, and the list goes on.

When everyone is involved, working together, the result is growth!

If you can’t cast a vision of what could be, you are not qualified to lead. Lindell Mitchell

The implications of today’s thought are powerful. Without a vision of what could be, where will leaders lead?

Solomon claimed that “when there is no vision the people are unrestrained” (Prov. 29:18).

Leaders with vision are able to see the unseen. Perhaps more specifically, they are able to see Him who is unseen. They lead with faith.

They possess the kind of conviction that knows what is worth dying for when it comes to leading the Lord’s people. Caleb possessed conviction (Josh. 14:12).

When vision exists, a strength is demonstrated that knows the value of “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

And above all, vision leads to victory. “Lift up your eyes and look” are the words spoken by God to Abraham (Gen. 13:14) and by Jesus (Jn. 4:35).

Unless we develop the kind of vision needed in leadership, we will miss possessing what God has promised.

Maybe this explains the significance of today’s thought. Are we qualified to lead?

As the old saying goes, “Everyone brings happiness, some when they come and some when they leave.” Think about what this statement implies for our leadership.

There are times leaders are asked to leave, and times when they choose to leave. How a leader walks away determines the nature of how they will be remembered.

Shattered farewells leave everyone hurting when leadership walks away from responsibility.

Divisive farewells leave followers turned against one another.

Venomous farewells leave a feeling of animosity, anger, distrust, and a lack of direction.

Gracious farewells leave followers united with a greater dedication to achieve the established vision, goals, and will of God, strengthening the overall good of everyone.

At some point, we say goodbye and when the time comes, we all have to decide the level of integrity and Christlike character we will demonstrate. Here are few tips.

Remember the greater good of followers.

Always accept responsibility for actions.

Be kind, never harsh or abrasive no matter how unfairly treated.

Consider our Savior.

We are leaders and how we lead when we leave makes a difference. Think Souls!

The apostle Paul presents so many great qualities of leadership it is hard to know what stands out most. I am sure each person has their favorite qualities relating most to their leadership.

Let me share a few more this week.

Humble: We find Paul making several statements throughout his letters indicating the level of humility in his heart. He considered himself the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, and the chief of sinners. He certainly understood and exemplified humility.

Dedicated: Paul’s level of dedication would be hard to measure. However, we see his dedication to the Lord, the church, and the lost. He was determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Co. 2:2-5). He was dedicated to do whatever necessary to preach this message.

Compassionate: Paul’s love for his own people who were lost and his intense concern over the church when led into sin, is an example of true leadership. He wanted nothing more than for people to be saved.

There is more to come, but what a great example to follow in our leadership.

Accountability brings a number of thoughts to mind regarding leadership. We know we will give an account, but what exactly does this word involve for spiritual leadership?

There is the implication of what is required. As spiritual leaders, certain requirements could be listed. We are required to be trustworthy, faithful, examples, and people of integrity, just to name a few.

There are certain expectations. An expectation seems to add a new level in spiritual leadership. People tend to meet whatever is expected of them. If we expect little, we get little. If we expect more, we get more. When leaders make decisions, there is an expectation we will be held accountable.

There is an understanding of responsibility. If leaders give an account for their decisions and actions, we know there is a level of responsibility connected to the decisions and actions taken by leadership.

We will all be held accountable for our deeds in this life, both good and bad. How much more so for leaders who will answer to God for the direction of their leadership of God’s people.

One of the keys to success in construction is not only the ability to read a blueprint, but continually evaluating the blueprint to make sure there are no deviations from the plan.

Consider the problems that arise when someone looks at a blueprint one time and never goes back to see if the plans are being followed correctly.

Spiritually, if we are not continually returning to the blueprint of God’s word to ensure we are following the plans…well, the result is what we have witnessed in our world today. Variations made from salvation to worship have created division and weakened our efforts to reach out to a world deep in postmodern and emerging theories.

The problem can be summed up in the lack of leadership that returns to the blueprint to evaluate the plan given by God.

Only when we return to evaluating the plan and implementing the mission of God, will we be able to resolve the issues of division and renew our efforts of outreach. The task falls to us as leaders to learn the value of evaluation.

There is something about being around children that draws out this question. How many times this question has been asked by a five year old is probably innumerable. But suffice it to say many!

It is the most difficult question to answer. Yet, children are always asking. They want to know the reasons behind what we are saying and doing.

Of all the questions one could ask, this three lettered word makes a complete question in an of itself.

This question is also one that should be prevalent when thinking about our leadership.

Why are leaders needed?
Why do we need to make this decision?
Why are we making this decision at this time?
Why should we lead?
Why?

We could resolve many issues within our leadership if we could determine the answers to the question…why?

Take a moment to look through the gospel accounts and consider the questions asked by Jesus that begin with why.

Why are you worried?
Why are you afraid?
Why are you testing Me?
Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?

Think about it!

One article will not be enough to share every aspect of why Paul was a great leader. However, we will share at least three reasons today.

Passionate: Few can measure the depth of passion found in Paul. As a persecutor of the church, he pursued it with passion. He even raised his level of passion when he became a defender of the faith. Read Philippians 3:4-11 to see Paul’s passion for the Lord and His cause.

Bold: The book of Acts unfolds numerous events in Paul’s journey for Christ. Boldness characterized every step in his approach to the work. He asked the church to pray for his boldness and it was demonstrated throughout his ministry.

Selfless: Paul held no concern for himself or his own comforts. He was willing to give up everything for the gospel. He was willing to become all things to all men to save some. He endured great hardship so others might learn about Jesus.

What a great example. If we could approach our leadership with the passion, boldness, and selflessness of Paul, we could change the world.