LEADERSHIP
CELL.
THE FUNCTION OF LEADERSHIP
The apostle Paul, probably the greatest builder of churches of all time, was very concerned that the churches he founded had good leadership. On his first missionary journey “Paul and Barnabas chose some of those who had faith in the Lord to be leaders for each of the churches” (Acts 14:23). His instructions to the church leaders at Ephesus on his last visit with them is reported in some detail (Acts 20:17-35). In his letters to Timothy and Titus, he enlarges on the character required of leaders, as does Peter (1 Peter 1:4). However, for the church to be a true community, modelling the kind of community that exists between members of the Trinity, it is important to note both the requirements and the limitations of leadership.
“It is instructive to notice how little the letters of the New Testament have to say either to or about leaders”
Leaving aside for a moment the so-called “Pastoral Epistles” (I and II Timothy and Titus), it is instructive to notice how little the letters of the New Testament have to say either to or about leaders. They are addressed to all the Christians in a given place. Paul does include “the bishops [or overseers] and deacons” together with the rest of the believers, in his opening address to the Christians at Philippi, but then he never refers to them again in the letter. Check out your
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