While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Leadership development is a much written about topic. Many books by current leaders talk about how they have mentored others. Leadership is a somewhat intoxicating pursuit for some. It sounds great — full of power and perceived popularity.

However, leadership done the right way is very challenging and not everyone is designed to lead. This is good and healthy for the following reasons: 1) Without followers there would be no leader. 2) Too many leaders leads to the expression “too many chiefs, not enough Indians”. Too many leaders get in each other’s way. And, 3) In order for a team to be effective, it not only needs passionate and driven leaders but a variety of skill sets that work well together.

Paul, here, has a model for leadership development. First he developed Aquila and Priscilla as leaders. Then they started to develop Apollos and Paul helped them. And the development was mainly geared on in-person mentoring. These leaders-in-development walked with and lived alongside other leaders, observing their spiritual leadership approach.

Spiritual leadership is similar and different from leadership in this world. It has similar structure and quality components, but its method and goals are fundamentally different. When we lead in Jesus’ Church, we must lead as he led.

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭42‬-‭45‬)

Spiritual leadership is therefore servant leadership. We lead through service to Jesus first and foremost, and then to servant lead those under us. We do not get to “lord it over” those who we lead. Instead, we model the humble and gracious leadership that Jesus lived out.

Paul did this and compelled others to do it as well — it was a chain reaction of spiritual leadership development! He also made sure that new converts were fully following Jesus and empowered by his Spirit.

Lord, thank you for Paul’s leadership development model. It is a great pattern to follow. May you use me to lead, follow, and mentor at the right times and in the right ways to bring you glory!