Introduction
One of the most prolific and well-known figures in scripture is the apostle Paul. He is
regarded today as a builder of faith communities. As described in the biblical account of his life
administration, he underwent a radical conversion that led to a life of devotion and service to the
Lord. Paul is undoubtedly a leader of great spiritual, authority, and influence as the author of
nearly half of the New Testament. Using Kraft’s definition of lasting leadership, this paper will
evaluate the life and leadership of the apostle Paul and determine whether or not he can be called
a “Leader who Lasts”.
Defining a Lasting Leader
A lasting leader is defined by Kraft as being “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 Leaders with this kind of fiery
devotion to the Lord and to kingdom work permeate every aspect of their lives. Key ingredients
of leadership are humility, dependency on God, teamwork, sense of direction, a sense of calling
from God, equipping and empowering and a sense of service. A good example of a modern day
lasting leader would be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was instrumental in overturning
segregated laws, resulting in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Lasting leadership qualities can fit into (3) categories: foundational, formational, and fruitful.2
In the foundational category, lasting leaders live
- With Christ in the center as their power
- Christ as they develop a purpose
1 Dave Kraft, “Leaders Who Lasts” (Wheaton, IL. Crossway, 2010) Introduction.
2 “Leaders Who Lasts” Introduction.
- Christ as they develop passion(s)
- Christ as they set priorities
- Christ as they set pacing
In the formation category, leaders must possess
- Calling
- Gifts
- Character
- Growth
In the fruitfulness category, leaders must possess
- Vision
- Influence
- Legacy
Now that we have these clarifications, we can explore and answer the question of
whether Paul is a “ Leader who lasts”.
Evaluation of the Apostle Paul
The author Howell describes Paul to be “Authoriative, Exhortiative, Accountable,
Affirmatory, Sacrificial, and Missional”.3 According to Paul, his power is anchored in Christ, “I
have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”. (Gal 2:20
NKJV). In his letter to the church at Colossus, Paul derives his purpose from serving Christ, “He
is the one we proclaim, admondnishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may
present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy
Christ so powerfully works in me”. (Col 1:29 NKJV).
We should all want to posses the same passion that Paul possessed to reach people for
Christ. The centrality of Christ in Paul’s life is what prompted his passion. In 1 Corinthinasn
9:19-23 “Even though I’m free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily
become a servant to any and all”.
3 Howell, “Servants of the Servant. A Bilical Theology of Leadership” (Eugene, OR. Wipf &
Stock Publishers, 2003).
Philippians 3:8, says that Paul gave up everything to serve Christ. It’s at this point that you truly
find out who you are when you have to leave your culture. You truly find out who you are when
you have to leave your surrounding, friends and all the things that makes us so comfortable as
Christian believers. Otherwise, you will never truly know who you are, until you have got to
leave your world and get into their world. Paul’s priority was missionary work, to reach the
unreached. Even as his ministry threatened his life, he continued to share the gospel, be a mentor
to disciples, and consult newly formed churches.
Paul also paced himself throught his ministry, in order to protect his passion, purpose,
and priorities. Sabbath rest was something he understood, practiced, and encouraged in his own
life and in those he invested in. Paul writes, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people
of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter into that rest”. (Hebrews 4:9-11 NKJV). As a result,
Paul was able to meet the foundational criteria of one who would be able to lead for generations
to come.
Once known as Saul, he was very effective at chasing down Christians to either capture
or kill them. The famous story of the “Road to Damascus” accounts for Saul’s conversion to
Paul. As Saul got closer to the city, a bright light reflected from heaven, blinding him, and
caused him to fall to the ground. He could hear the voice of Christ say “Why do you persecute
me”. When Paul’s sight was restored, he immediately began to preach and stated “I want you to
know, brothers and sisters that the gospel I preach is not of human origin. I did not receive it
from any man, nor was I taught. I received it by revelation from Christ” (Galation 1:11 NKJV).
Visionary leadership was a hallmark of Paul’s missionary work. From our author, Kraft,
defines this as an individual “Who’s on a mission. They are gifted motivators, setting a direction,
and creating excitement and a sense of adventure. They have a destination in mind and possess
the ability to take others along on the journey”.4 The Apostle Paul was capable “to appeal to the
minds and wills of believers to respond with a voluntary obedience to the lordship of Christ”.5 In
other words, he was able to motivate believers with his vision. God-honoring and pleasing lives
are the vision and obedience is the direction.
In the military, as you progress in the ranks, leaders must be able to effectively change
from a tactical leader into an organizational leader. Meaning, instead of focusing on (1) mission
at a time to now focusing on the overarching strategies behind each mission. To be an effective
orgainzational leader, a senior leaders must be emotionally literate and capable of influencing
others. This requires them to understand not only themselves, but also their superiors, peers, and
subordinates. Kraft also writes about influence “a person who’s on a journey and has the ability
to attract others to join him on that journey”.6 Paul had a trusted peers and mentees, whom
included, Peter, Barnabas, Timothy and Silas. Similar to modern day military leaders who must
remain consistent and stedfast, Paul was also a “hard charger” or as Howelll puts it “When the
integrity of the gospel is at stake, Paul is the most unbending of leaders”.7 You can get a better
understanding of this from Paul’s letters to the churches at Corinth, Philippi, and Rome.
Finally, the recently retired, Nick Saban, is widely considered as the greatest modern day
football coach in history and who has left a legacy that will be tough to match. Since college
programs no longer have a chance at hiring Nick Saban, they’ll settle for the next best thing,
4 Kraft. “Leaders who Lasts” Chapter 10.
5 Kraft. “Leaders who Lasts” Chapter 10.
6 Kraft. “Leaders who Lasts” Chapter 11.
7 Howell. “Servants of the Servant” pg 260.
those whom have assisted and have been influenced by him. Even today, Paul remains regarded
as a pillar of faith within Christianity because of the way he’d lived. Paul left a legacy of
developing leaders, not followers. He mentored Timothy, who became an awesome spiritual
leader. “Paul’s unbending allegiance to the corpus revealed truth and his bold confrontation of
those who depart from it serve as a model for authentic leadership for all ages”.8 This is how
Paul was able to legitimately met the criteria of a lasting leader.
Conclusion
Paul’s convergence is a testimony of Christ’s transformative power. Paul described
himself as the chiefest, worst of the worst sinners. The result from traveling on the road to
Damascus, Paul life was devoted to the building of the church and spreading the Gospel of
Christ. Paul is easily regarded as one of the greatest biblical leaders in history. Out of the (27)
books of the (NT), Paul wrote (13) of them. In all these ways, Paul can undoubtdley be described
as a “Leader who Lasts”.
8 Howell. “Servants of the Servant” pg 257.
