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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO C. PAUL KING IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR


THE COURSE CLED 510

LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

BY ELKE SPELIOPOULOS

DOWNINGTOWN, PA TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2011

CONTENTS

2 Corinthians .............................................................................................................................. 3 Galatians ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Ephesians .................................................................................................................................... 5 Philippians .................................................................................................................................. 6 Colossians................................................................................................................................... 7 1 Thessalonians........................................................................................................................... 8 2 Thessalonians........................................................................................................................... 9 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................. 11

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2 Corinthians Principle: A great leader stands behind his or her team in success and defeat. Key Verse:2 Corinthians 1:7 (ESV): Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. Explanation/Illustration of the Principle In his writing to the Corinthian church, Pauls aim is to encourage and strengthen the believers. Paul realizes that there will be both easy and difficult times for the followers of Jesus Christ as they face strengthening persecution. To the church at Corinth, it was important to understand that they were not facing what was ahead alone. For this purpose, Paul expresses his own experiences as an authentication of how familiar is with suffering. In doing so, he is able to offer the church comfort. As one commentator writes, the comfort is not mediated directly to both parties, but given in the first instance to Paul, that he might comfort them.1 Likewise, a leader is in the position to convey the good and buffer the bad that will be coming his teams way. By protecting those he or she leads from immediate impacts, he or she lets the team focus on execution and what they need to deliver, rather than exposing them directly to sometimes difficult political discussions that are being held at the top level of an organization. By freeing the team from needing to invest emotionally in topics that are possibly still undecided or that need refining, the leader sets his or her people free to keep driving towards delivery of plans that were put in place at a certain point in time. If these plans are ultimately changed, the leader can communicate this in a manner that is more refined and buffered.

Paul Barnett, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997), 80.

Galatians

Principle: A good leader takes the necessary time to think through strategic next moves. Key Verse:Galatians 1:15-17 (ESV): But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Explanation/Illustration of the Principle Paul had received his calling directly from God through His Son Jesus. Rather than try to figure out who might be able to mentor him to become a successful witness of Christ, Paul withdrew to Arabia and spent time to think through what he had learned. Fung writes, It is commonly thought that Paul went to Arabia for solitary communion with God and reflection on his position in the light of the new revelation.2 Whether or not this was the sole reason, or whether Paul went there to share his faith with Gentiles is not entirely clear, but it does appear he took a period of time to meditate on what he had seen and heard. Likewise, a good Christian leader will not walk out of a meeting with his or her superior to immediately find others to discuss and work through what he or she heard, but rather takes the time to process, review and find the right application for him- or herself and the team. In taking the necessary time to focus on what was communicated, the leader gains the composure and can determine the right delivery style to his or her team.

Ronald Y. K. Fung, The Epistle to the Galatians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1988), 68-69.

Ephesians Principle: A good leader does not delay conflict resolution. Key Verse:Ephesians 4:15 (ESV): Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Explanation/Illustration of the Principle Paul is addressing the Ephesian believers and teaching them about Christian maturity. As a part of their spiritual maturity, he admonishes them to be truthful in their dealings with each other to the benefit of the local body of Christ at Ephesus. Ultimately, this behavior between brothers and sisters in Christ will lead them into being the one body exhibiting love as Christ commanded. A good leader will also leverage this principle in his or her dealings both with those reporting to him or her and those who are either peers or superiors. Bruce writes Doing truth (or acting truly) is an OT expression used especially when fidelity between two parties is the subject. Whether spoken or expressed in action, the truth is never to be dissociated from love.3 To foster positive team atmosphere, a leader needs to also incorporate this thinking into his or her leadership style. A team needs to trust the man or woman in charge, and this will only happen when there is truth in communications. When there is truth and sincerity coupled with a true display of affinity/love towards the one being communicated with, healthy relationships can spring up. This in turn will lead teams to the productivity stage that the leader desires to meet the teams objectives.

F. F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1984), 352.

Philippians

Principle: A good leaders behavior is God-honoring and free from reproach and will encourage this behavior in those he or she leads. Key Verse:Philippians 1:27 (ESV): Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. Explanation/Illustration of the Principle Paul reminds the church at Philippi how critical it is that their walk equals their talk. Living in a largely pagan society of a Roman city, believers in Philippi needed to exhibit lives that were markedly different from those around them. There could be no corruption, immorality or greed, to name a few. It was only in this manner that they could be effective witnesses to their faith in Jesus Christ. Good leaders will also model such exemplary behavior both in their professional and personal lives. Integrity has to be the driving factor to show the world around them that their leadership is based on the model of Jesus Christ. Fee writes, Paul intends the general idea of conduct he uses the common Jewish metaphor of 'walking.' ...Paul is here making a play on their 'dual citizenship'of the empire by virtue of their being Philippians; of heaven by virtue of their faith in Christ and incorporation into the believing community.4 Likewise, as leaders working in a fallen world, complete personal integrity has to be the hallmark of every man and woman in leadership, whether in the church or in secular professions. Through this, others will be drawn to the truth of the Gospel. In addition, a leader can forge strong teams in this manner by encouraging those he or she works with to model integrity. Gordon D. Fee, Paul's Letter to the Philippians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1995), 161.
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Colossians Principle: A good leader weighs input and chooses wisely for the team. Key Verse:Colossians 2:8 (ESV): See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Explanation/Illustration of the Principle Pauls warning to the church at Colossae centered on the dangers surrounding them in their culture. Apparently, heresy within the church was an increasing problem.5 As Bruce points out, it was not as simple to detect as might at first appear: The spiritual confidence-tricksters against whom they are put on their guard did not inculcate a godless or immoral way of life: the error of such teaching would have been readily exposed. Their teaching was rather a blend of the highest elements of religion known to Judaism and paganism; it was, in fact, a philosophy. Paul does not condemn philosophy as such, but a philosophy of this kindone which seduces believers from the simplicity of their faith in Christ.6 Taking this danger to a leadership situation, a good leader will weigh all input and then make good decisions for the team. As an example, data comes at a leader in a rapid fashion. Some of this data may be important; some may not be. Some data may be true; some data may actually not be data, but rather hear-say. A good leader will take the time to investigate the origin and truthfulness of the information given. He or she will then step back to evaluate what he or she has learned, weigh in specifics that are contributing factors from the team he or she leads, and will then make decisions that are both right for the deliverables required and for the team. In this manner, the team again can execute without having to concern itself with erroneous input.

Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1988), 497.
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Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, 352.

1 Thessalonians Principle: Good leaders are exemplary workers. Key Verse:1 Thessalonians 2:9 (ESV): For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. Explanation/Illustration of the Principle Paul made it a point to explain to the Thessalonian church that they shared with them in their strife. They were not alone in doing the work or needed to provide for Paul and his travel companions, but rather Paul shared the workload. Fee writes, Paul will appeal to his working with his own hands as in part due to necessity, but also in part because it afforded him opportunity to provide them with an example.7 This is the point good leaders will remember: sharing the workload and providing an example. Those working under a leader will observe how much he or she has skin in the game, i.e. do they see this as their own work and do they feel the same sense of duty and urgency in delivery they want their team to exhibit, or are they simply giving out guidelines and rules, while they lean back? When a leader exhibits the same behavior he or she wants the team under him or her to display, the team will develop a different sense of commitment to the team and its work, then if the leader is not practically involved in all stages of meeting the deliverable. While in a workplace setting the question of physically providing for another may never arise, the commitment and hands-on perspective of a leader will resonate in the team.

Gordon D. Fee, The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2009), 77.

2 Thessalonians Principle: A good leader will not discard the solid leadership principles he or she has been taught by leaders before him or her. Key Verses:2 Thessalonians 2:15 (ESV): So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Explanation/Illustration of the Principle Paul wrote this letter to the church at Thessalonica, a body of believers that were in fact on the verge of being 'shaken.'8 He wanted to assure them that they had already learned all the traditions and teachings through him that they needed to cling to the truth of the Gospel. Martin writes, The teachings to which the church was to cling were those central religious truths or traditions (RSV) that were passed from believer to believer.9 Paul ensured the team at Thessalonica that they were on the right path. Likewise, a good leader needs to ensure his or her team that they have what they need to be successful. For him- or herself it is equally important to remember that their education and experience up to this point has brought with it solid leadership skills. Even when fluctuations come the teams way, e.g. in the form of a reorganization, the leader can fall back on those techniques and tactics that have been successful in the past. The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote that there was nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9, ESV) The same holds true in the realm of leadership. Leadership principles from the end of the sixth century BC are still studied in Sun Tzus The Art of War. When the latest innovations in
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Ibid.

D. Michael Martin, Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman& Holman Publishers, 2001), 255.

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management and leadership are discussed, a good leader will investigate them, but will not throw out time-tested truths in leading his or her team.

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Bibliography Barnett, Paul. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians.The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997. Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians.to Philemon, and to the Ephesians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1984. Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel.Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1988. Fee, Gordon D.The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians.The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2009. .Paul's Letter to the Philippians.The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1995. Fung, Ronald Y. K. The Epistle to the Galatians.The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1988. Martin, D. Michael.Logos Library System; The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman& Holman Publishers, 2001.

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