examples of democratic leaders in the bible

Smith suggests that the mainyard is meant; an immense spar, probably as long as the ship, which would require the united efforts of passengers and crews to launch overboard. Bruce p. 486. In the sea of Adria (en toi Hadriai). They followed Paul because he knew where he was going and inspired confidence in others to follow him. The final verses (42-44) tell of the plan of the soldiers to kill the prisoners, of the intervention of the centurion, and the safe arrival on land of all 276 passengers. 553 The storm was now heavy upon the lumbering vessel, as it came roaring out of the north-east. This channel is the place between two seas. Here the ship, in Smiths words, would strike a bottom of mud graduating into tenacious clay, into which the fore part would fix itself and be held fast, whilst the stern was exposed to the worst of the waves. After the long battering which the ship had endured for the past two weeks, its exposed part could not take this further punishment, and it quickly disintegrated. Bruce, p. 494. They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. Silent team members are specifically asked their opinions to make sure all perspectives are heard. I am not certain that anyone ever thought of Paul as the leader, but he did lead and they followed. He was nicknamed "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36). He doesn't mince words when he calls them "a brood of vipers.". Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. In every effective leader's life, there is a time for love, but also a time for courage. By the way, Paul may not have been frightened so much for himself as for the others. What he recognized was the person who had the ability to help bring deliverance to the Jews was Esther. The doctrine of Gods sovereignty is multi-faceted, something which careless and thoughtless Christians often forget or set aside. It is only when all hope is lost that Paul addresses his fellow shipmates.557 Much time had passed, the storm had not diminished, the ship was being constantly mauled by the storm, and the passengers had gone a long time without food. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Beyond this, God is free to act or not to act in any way that He chooses. When you are walking in accordance with Gods purposes, whatever obstacles to the accomplishing of His will are encountered, He will overcome. The hour is hopeless. He was thoroughly subservient to the will of God, and he was committed to a specific, meaningful mission. Myra lies due north from Alexandria, and its bay is well calculated to shelter a windbound ship. Bruce quoting J. Smith, Voyage, pp. They invited Apollos into their home and spent time explaining the truth to him. Pauls leadership enhanced the preaching of the gospel. But Moses brought him to the table of leadership because he was the best person for the job. No one followed Paul because he was a man of God, or even because they concluded the God was with him. The sovereignty of God is no excuse for careless or reckless living. Neither Lasea nor Fair Havens is mentioned by any ancient writer, two of the hundred cities of Crete. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 460. Democratic leadership is an effective leadership style but can sometimes be too slow when fast decisions are needed. When he spoke, there was no vote taken. 563 This seems to suggest that the charges against these prisoners were serious. He was not the captain of the ship, nor one of the soldiers. Godly leadership is honest leadership that allows you to lead out of who you are. (This also required a small boat, which was going to be taken by those abandoning the ship.) For more information, see ourPrivacy Policy. But there was a problem. The otherstwo hundred and seventy-six in allfollowed his example. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. The cultural expectations on pastors are mostly unbiblical, entirely impractical, and generally downright unrealistic. In spite of this fact, one man, Paul, emerged as the leader. It was, I believe, for the sake of the gospel that Paul and these passengers were saved. It was a coasting vessel, which was to call at various ports of the province of Asia; at one of these Julius knew he would find a ship, preferably a grain ship, bound for Italy. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 477. But by the end of this chapter, it is Paul who is active, Paul who is leading, and the others are following him. 1 Timothy 4:12. Many of the great democratic leaders in history are today cult object and recognition, as an example to follow in the fight for more just, peaceful and orderly societies.. Your community. But he was wrong about the loss of passengers. If that doesn't work, he outlasts them. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? Focus on who you are and allow God to develop you into the leader he has called you to be. When the outcome is known, and the One who determines it is both faithful and sovereign (in control), the danger of harm is removed, along with the need for fear. They intended to put all the prisoners to death,563 thus eliminating the risk of an escape. The soldiers heed Pauls words and cut the ropes to the lifeboat, letting it fall away. Lets examine some of these, because whether you lead one, a few, or many we all have to lead. As time went on, as Paul was better known, and as the crises on board the ship became more pronounced, Paul stepped forward, giving both direction and hope to all the others on ship. Here are three people who stand out as servant leadership examples in the Bible. To Paul, the sovereignty of God was not an excuse to avoid his human obligations or his personal responsibility; it was the motivation for him to live responsibly. They were also able to build a church that met in their home. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act toward achieving a common goal. Susan Ward. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Verses 14-20: A Sudden Storm and Lost Hope, Verses 21-26: Pauls Night Visitation and Words of Encouragement, Verses 30-32: Sailors Stopped From Abandoning Ship, Verses 33-41: Pauls Encouragement and the Ships Grounding, Verses 42-44: Prisoners and Passengers Spared From Death. Now, when they knew where they wanted to go, they again began to rig the ship for sailing, to whatever degree this could be done in such a storm. Had people ceased eating, in part perhaps, because they thought they were going to die anyway? *Indicated Required Field See ourPrivacy Policy. The approaching land brought a new temptation to the sailors, who better than anyone else knew they were coming upon land.559. Discouraged by the disapproval of Jesus, yet blessed by the warmth and affection of Jesus. As Paul had already informed them, neither the ship nor its cargo would survive, only the passengers. Gods Word gives us those answers. Democratic leaders: Encourage group members to share their ideas: The leader asks for and considers employee input. Priscilla and Aquila were hospitable. Paul was not striving to be a leader here, but simply trying to be of help. Paul assured them that not a hair from their head would perish (verse 34). The most probable account is that they dropped a floating anchor or drift anchor, which was dragged astern at the end of a rope of suitable length so as to offer the maximum resistance every time the ship plunged down from the crest of a wave. Bruce, p. 486. For our examples, I want to look at leaders that may be a little more obscure. Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. This proposal pleased the whole group. Even when John Mark was being severely ostracized by Paul, Barnabas stood by John Mark. They all waited for the morning light. Julius and the others did not seem to look upon Paul in religious or spiritual terms, but only in terms of practical and proven ability and knowledge. I suspect so. To ensure you receive the best experience on Lifeway.com, we use cookies to process information about your visit. Whatever dangers might arise, He will protect His people, in accordance with His purposes and promises. . The broad issue is that of leadership. She had entered the election the previous year following the death of her husband, the incumbent governor who was campaigning for a second term. A late night visitation by an angel of God and Pauls words of encouragement to his shipmates is reported in verses 21-26. If you possess these types of qualifications, would that make you a better leader? He left this to God. Paul was spared so that he could go to Rome, and there proclaim the gospel. 546 With the westerly winds which prevail in those seas, says James Smith, ships, particularly those of the ancients, unprovided with a compass and ill calculated to work to windward, would naturally stand to the north till they made the land of Asia Minor, which is peculiarly favourable for navigation by such vessels, because the coast is bold and safe, and the elevation of the mountains makes it visible at a great distance; it abounds in harbours, and the sinuosities of its shores and the westerly current would enable them, if the wind was at all off the land, to work to windward, at least as far as Cnidus, where these advantages ceased. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. Gods promise was fulfilled, just as Paul had said He would. 545 This seems to be the same Aristarchus mentioned in Acts 19:29; 20:4; Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 24. What kind of leadership did Paul exercise, and how did this impact the gospel? It has become an untenable situation, a burden no man can bear. 551 Although there almost certainly would have been some loss of life, apart from divine intervention. I believe leadership must be positive influence . Please see below for details. Here is a man whose personal safety was assured, and yet who lived with care and caution. Democratic style on the other hand refers to leadership style in which leaders are the final decision makers with the input of followers. It was needlessly endangering others that Paul was trying to avoid. The most memorable aspect of effective leadership of a pastor is when he has survived the polarities of differing opinions and modeled having each side respect the other's. Paul believed in the power of God and in His infinite control over all things, in heaven and on the earth. Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Netherlands are a few others. 549 Smith observes that Fair Havens is so well protected by islands, that though not equal to Lutro [Loutron, a port some 40 miles farther west along the coast], it must be a very fair winter harbour; and that considering the suddenness, the frequency, and the violence with which gales of northerly wind spring up, and the certainty that, if such a gale sprang up in the passage from Fair Havens to Lutro, the ship must be driven off to sea, the prudence of the advice given by St. Paul may probably be supported even on nautical grounds. Bruce, pp. It seems that there was no protest from the sailors when the ropes to the lifeboat were cut. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong (Titus 1:9). Those who could swim should jump first, and make their way to shore. Pauls caution is rather interesting. If the prisoners were to make it to land, the soldiers would have to release them. He was going to survive. The danger in which they found themselves was unnecessary. Pauls safety and deliverance was so certain that it was sufficient for others as well. Great leaders focus on serving those who follow them.

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