Paul’s leadership letter to his son in the faith, Timothy, is life-changing or could be if leaders heard and walked it out.
Leadership does not create a culture of suspicion, scepticism or a desire to scrutinise if it was possible to get near that leader to do so. It doesn’t manipulate, build fear and uncertainty, is not unpredictable, it does not boast, does not need titles, is not demanding of respect and if all I am mentioning equals power, then leadership, certainly godly leadership, is not power.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15
Paul uses this phrase, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance” 5 times in his letters. So it’s important!!
Leadership is not about power but it is about self-awareness.
We live in a world when leaders hide the truth of who they are. Paul didn’t. He was the worst of sinners. This was not great publicity and effective social branding. Who would want to follow this leader?
Yet Paul shows us that true leadership strength emerges not from projecting perfection, but from understanding and acknowledging their own flaws and failures. When this happens they create space for growth—both in themselves and in those they lead.
The big question good leaders keep asking is this: how do people perceive me? And they ask trusted people for the answer instead of what they see when they glance into the mirror of their good sermons and growth of their ministry. That fruit is not the key performance indicator on how well they are doing as a leader. Self-awareness is. Power is nothing compared to this.
Missions Paul 