Weak but Not Inadequate | Learning Leadership with the Apostle Paul, pt. 3

Paul's leadership and ministry is weak to all appearances, and the Corinthian church isn't impressed. They prefer their leaders with more charisma and credentials and power than Paul has.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul explains that his ministry takes the shape it does for a very good reason and even though its unimpressive by the standards of the world, it's full of God's power and it doesn't indicate any inferiority or inadequacy.

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Is Discipleship the Wrong Paradigm for the Church Today? | A Conversation with Kyle Strobel

Kyle Strobel is a theologian at Biola University focused on spiritual theology, and he is the head of the Institute of Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology. He’s also a teaching elder at his church. He, along with John Coe, has written what I consider to be one of the best books on prayer titled Where Prayer Becomes Real.

Earlier this year via his Substack, Kyle sent out a blog titled “Why Discipleship Doesn’t Work,” which pointed to the release of a mini-course on his Substack on “Reimagining Discipleship.” In it, Kyle questioned the entire discipleship framework that has been re-emphasized for the last 30+ years. Kyle’s major contention is that the framework of disciple and discipleship is a pre-Pentecost approach to following Jesus, it’s not found in the New Testament after Jesus’ ascension, and it is thus not a paradigm the church is meant to follow.

I resonated with a lot of what Kyle had to say but also found several things where I think he overstates his case. So we decided to record a conversation exploring the question of whether or not discipleship is the mission of the church today and the paradigm for spiritual growth.

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What's Paul's Focus as a Leader? | Learning Leadership with the Apostle Paul, pt. 2

The focus of the leadership books, conferences and trainings of the last 25 years or so has been on organizational leadership. This has created a situation where good christian leaders are people who can grow big and impressive orgs.

But for Paul the standard is different... the way he thinks and talks about leadership as a Christian is focused on developing people not organizations.

Colossians 1:28-29

28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power which works mightily within me.

2 Corinthians 11:2-3

2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Galatians 4:19-20

19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for I am at a loss about you!

The primary metric Paul used to evaluate effective Christian leadership is people being formed into Christlikeness.

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:

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Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

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