Pastor Chris Morgan, my friend and colleague on the 12Stone® Church staff team, and one of the best worship leaders in the country, sent me a personal journal entry on leadership from his readings in I Thessalonians. It’s so good, I’m sharing it with you.
“Our visit to you was not without results . . .”
Paul, having validated the Thessalonians (and his experiences with them) in chapter 1, now begins to authenticate his motives in chapter 2. He is calling them to remember how he served among them. This is not so that he can get personally recognized but so that the message that he preached could get re-validated among them.
I find here in Thessalonians, from John Maxwell’s book, The 5 Levels of Leadership.
1. Position / Rights: “We could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you.” (1 Thess. 2:6,7)
Even though Paul held the position of Apostle he did not operate out of that mindset in leading the Thessalonians.
2. Permission / Relationship: “We cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” (1 Thess. 2:7,8)
Paul’s personal affection for them validates his leadership.
3. Production / Results: “ You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.” (1 Thess. 2:1)
One of the ways our leadership credential increases is through results. When you achieve objectives, others look and say “Wow! He knows what he’s doing.” Because of results others extend more buy-in to your leadership.
4. People Development / Reproduction: “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worth of God.” (1 Thess. 2:11,12)
Paul says in other places, “Be imitators of me”. His obvious goal was to duplicate himself over and over.
5. Pinnacle / Respect: “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thess. 2:19,20)
I love this... Paul describes people developed into his disciples as his “glory and joy.” What will he have to present to God? – people redeemed and developed! Paul’s legacy is deep and rich and all for God’s glory!
