It may not come quickly. The Bible is pretty clear about what Godly leadership looks like. Moses. The sovereignty of God means that we dare not presume that God will work a miracle for us, at the time and in the way we choose, due to our foolishness, carelessness, or sin. Behind every support specialist, Bible study editor, graphic designer, and accountant is a Sunday School teacher, kids volunteer, or small group leader. Here are three unique leaders who serve as great examples of democratic leadership: Abraham Lincoln President Lincoln took office understanding his decisions over the next four years would determine the fate of the United States. Reminder: You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. Scripture offers examples of both. Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. She had entered the election the previous year following the death of her husband, the incumbent governor who was campaigning for a second term. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. He has also just released his new book The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. He sold his land and gave it to the church treasury. This inside information was, I think, a factor in their plan to abandon ship. He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference, 10 Gift Ideas for Pastor Appreciation Month, Pastor Appreciation Month: 5 Ways to Say Thanks, Why Prayer is Essential in the Life of a Leader. I think not. The name of this leadership style is derived from the word "democracy," which means "run by the people." Democratic leaders welcome and value others' input, rely heavily on team participation, and facilitate discussions that enable multiple members of their group to weigh in on decisions. Salem Media Group. Did Paul pray for their meal, as well as his own? But once the sailors discerned that land was nearby, staying on board ship became increasingly dangerous. Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. Paul was told by the angel not to be afraid, because he was going to stand before Caesar. Silent team members are specifically asked their opinions to make sure all perspectives are heard. Resilience may be the cornerstone of effective leadership. The sovereignty of God means not only that God is able to intervene supernaturally, but that He is also able to work naturally, through human instruments (like the Roman soldiers, and in our story, like the centurion, in Pauls behalf). It was needlessly endangering others that Paul was trying to avoid. Pauls caution is rather interesting. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. [1] It is important to note that he learned leadership principles and faith from his parents (Hebrew 11:23 . Here are some ideas to help you celebrate them this year. . In all of this God protected Paul. Imagine this, they would have Paul to thank for their deliverance. They had to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. It seems as thought they had left it in the sea, towed along behind, when the storm suddenly came upon them and swamped it. This was probably due to seasickness, and perhaps to the difficulty of cooking under such circumstances. With difficulty, they finally arrived off Cnidus, but were then forced by the winds to sail under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone. What are we to make of this dramatic change in Pauls standing before his fellow-shipmates? He was not the captain of the ship, nor one of the soldiers. Had people ceased eating, in part perhaps, because they thought they were going to die anyway? Pastor Appreciation Month and Pastor Appreciation Day are great opportunities every October to show how much you care for your pastor and church leaders. Not one soul was lost. modern political leaders are good examples (Tony Blair, Geogrge Bush, Sarcosie, JFK, David cameron) What is a sentence with the words democracy and democratic? 31 What then shall we say to these things? Vision Statements of 12 Great Leaders in the Bible Paul believed in the power of God and in His infinite control over all things, in heaven and on the earth. There were no petty thieves on board this ship. Your Bible study. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. When the ship is grounded and the passengers must swim for their lives, the soldiers plan to kill Paul, along with the other prisoners, to prevent any from escaping. Their arrival had not been without difficulty, but things were only to go from bad to worse. Some Christians are inclined to live their lives sloppily, believing that because God is sovereign He will, on demand, produce a miracle to deliver us from the fruits of our own foolishness. 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. Take aids, or drugs, for example. The cultural expectations on pastors are mostly unbiblical, entirely impractical, and generally downright unrealistic. Even when John Mark was being severely ostracized by Paul, Barnabas stood by John Mark. About midnight on the fourteenth day, the sailors determined that land was nearing because the depth of the sea below had diminished from twenty fathoms to fifteen. It did not take long at this time of year for a storm to brew at sea. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com. Allow me to make one last observation here. His military role came at a pivotal time in world history- World War II. Let us consider just a few: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Elijah had both. (1 Kings 18:27). In fact, it seems that virtually everyone voted against him when the decision was made. The one whose fate was sure and certain, was the most cautious; those whose ultimate fate was most uncertain were those who lived most dangerously. I would say that is a great example of Godly leadership. 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. All rights reserved. Moses. Your community. Flee to safety today. Examples of democratic leaders. I read in the paper the other day that when faced with the decision as to whether he should change to an alternate airport or press on to the original destination, the pilot of a commercial airliner left the choice with his passengers. If you see shortcomings, those are the areas that you can ask God to help you develop. Today's nomenclature calls it tough love. It is as certain as the salvation of His own. 1 Peter 5:3. They just happened to run aground at the place where two seas met.562 It seems that the action of the water created some kind of sandbar or shallows, on which the ship stuck fast. They made port in Sidon, a city about 70 miles north of Caesarea. It seems that there was no protest from the sailors when the ropes to the lifeboat were cut. The need is great. He had had enough. On the third day, some of the unnecessary tackle on board the ship was thrown overboard. Jesus: A leader is a servant first. "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). What he recognized was the person who had the ability to help bring deliverance to the Jews was Esther. In every effective leader's life, there is a time for love, but also a time for courage. This was, I think, to cause the ship to draw less water, and thus to float higher in the water, so that it would not as easily drag bottom.560 The ship would therefore be closer to shore when it struck bottom, making it a shorter swim (or float). What was required for this situation was Godly leadership. 4. His previous warning did not take into account the intervention of God, resulting in the escape of every person on board the ship. When the ship set sail, they began to encounter unfavorable winds. During the night, an angel of God had appeared to Paul, with a sure and certain word about the future, a word that would bring encouragement to all on board ship. "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. These passengers were spared, I suspect, so that they could not only hear the gospel, but experience the hope which the gospel gives, and the power by which the gospel saves unworthy sinners. Furthermore, Paul was an apostle, a man through whom God had worked many signs and wonders. The bottom line is that everyone leads in some fashion, be it great or small. Other words for democratic leadership The Greater Syrtis was still a great distance away, but the wind might continue to blow for many days, and that was the direction in which it was blowing them. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 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. He was courageous as indicated by the spy scenario in Numbers 13:31. The broad issue is that of leadership. The job or position title does not make you a leader. All must abandon ship now. He had God on his side. His God was in control of all things, including the sea. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? A theophany had taken place in Joshua 5:15: "The commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." A democratic leader likes people who disagree with them and challenge their views. The safety of the passengers, involved their actions, in eating a good meal, in lightening the ship, and in swimming to shore or in clinging to some wreckage and floating to shore. You are the devil's advocate. The great leaders of the Bible, men like Joseph, Moses, David, and Daniel, were men who had an impact because they were men of God, men of great skill and ability, and men who God raised up. They cut loose the anchors, which set the ship free, as wind and waves propelled it toward land. Nobody said it would be easy. Engage group members: The leader involves members and encourages them to involve others. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. 36 Just as it is written, For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. A true leader has to be brutally honest with all those he comes in contact with. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company [photolithoprinted], 1966), p. 191, quoting Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and Roman Citizen, p. 319. 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. Pauls execution was sought by the Sanhedrin, which first tried to execute him legally (like Stephen) and then by assassination, but God used Roman soldiers once again to spare His servant. These prisoners were (pardon me for this) twice pardoned.. Those who could swim should jump first, and make their way to shore. If you possess these types of qualifications, would that make you a better leader? Democratic Leadership Examples President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was famously democratic in his leadership style, once said that "leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well." No one followed Paul because he was a man of God, or even because they concluded the God was with him. 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 1:6-9). "Perhaps he's sleeping and will wake up!" 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. The soldiers who were guarding them were not as concerned about their survival as much as the possibility of an escape. Now they were ready for the days activities. They all waited for the morning light. Whether you realize it or not, we are all called to lead. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. But Moses brought him to the table of leadership because he was the best person for the job. Their troubles to this point would seem insignificant compared to what was soon to come. Examples of Democratic Leadership More than half of the countries in the world with populations over 500,000 people use a democratic leadership style. Because of one prisoner on board that ship, all the other passengers were spared. Because of their very limited visibility, they might not see the land until it was too late. 551 Although there almost certainly would have been some loss of life, apart from divine intervention. An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude, 10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others. 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. For Pauls sake, all the passengers on board his ship were spared from the storm. He turned to the centurion and the soldiers and gave them what were really orders: Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved (verse 31). It seems as though the passengers, including Luke and Paul, were needed to help carry out this operation (see verse 19).556. It has long been acknowledged as one of the most instructive documents for the knowledge of ancient seamanship. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 474. Whatever dangers might arise, He will protect His people, in accordance with His purposes and promises. Unsaved men do not have the answers. In spite of Pauls words of encouragement, the passengers had still not eaten. The winds seem to have blown the ship away from the island of Crete. He must live wisely and be just. Paul need no longer fear, because he knew the outcome of this storm. The wise leader will work hard at blinding his or her eyes to the pettiness of church members' criticism. For our examples, I want to look at leaders that may be a little more obscure. 552 A south wind having blown gently, in marked contrast to the violent northwest wind that they had faced so long. Paul tells the soldiers that the sailors must remain on board ship, if they themselves are to be saved. Several days before, Paul had told the passengers, who had lost all hope, that they would all be saved, although the ship would run aground (verses 21-26). I could talk about David, Moses, or Nehemiah, but I want to talk about three lesser-known leaders who make great examples of Godly leadership in the Bible. If you are a Christian, the same safety is yours, when you are walking in obedience to His commands, and within His purposes. 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. Without God's constant guidance in our lives, how can we be confident of what we are teaching, how we are ministering, or why we are even leading? I do not think that Pauls words were meant as a typical I told you so so much as they were spoken to motivate his peers to listen to him now. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish. He would build the walls on faith. And who would not be afraid in such a storm. To ensure you receive the best experience on Lifeway.com, we use cookies to process information about your visit. Remember, he struck the rock and disobeyed God, but his patience had worn thin. 558 The fourteenth night is reckoned from the time they left Fair Havens. These are questions that we shall seek to answer in our study of Acts chapter 27. Most leadership gurus define leadership as 'influence'. I confess, I am distressed at the ways in which Christians are trying to take control of the political and governmental positions of authority. Everyone speaks their minds in team meetings. How can Paul, a prisoner, emerge as the leader on board a ship, while in the midst of a storm? But there was a problem. 7 Best Democratic Leadership Examples to Know 1. In doing so, he cites Romans 15:4 (NKJV), which states, "whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the . It was his responsibility to persuade her to use the position she had to make a difference. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to {obtain} an inheritance {which is} imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. The soldiers heed Pauls words and cut the ropes to the lifeboat, letting it fall away. When this happens, there will be no protection for the lost. Consider these two things: Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home (Titus 1:8). A late date for the day of atonement is required also by the time notes of the subsequent journey to Italy. 560 The higher the ship floated in the water, the closer to shore they could get before the ship grounded. 72-73, p. 480. I would think that Paul would have more reason to be reckless than these seasoned seamen and the centurion, because he was a Christian. 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. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. There are many different styles and forms of leadership. Pauls leadership emerges on board the ship, on which he was headed toward Rome. But we can still have hope, even when we are afraid. The potential gains were minimal, while the potential loss was great. Fourteen days have passed since they left Fair Havens and the storm first struck the ship.558 The sailors now have little idea as to where they were, or how far they might be from land. Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Netherlands are a few others. When they set sail from Fair Havens, fifty or sixty miles brought them under the lee of Cauda (v. 16); on the fourteenth night from Cauda they drew near the coast of Malta (v. 27), and the next day (v. 39) they landed on that island, where they spent three months (28:11). Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all . Paul was overruled. Fearing that they might drift into shallow and dangerous waters some distance to the south,553 they put out a sea anchor of some kind, perhaps something like a parachute, which filled with water and slowed the ship down.554, The storm continued through the night, and the next day things looked even worse. In verses 27-29, Luke describes the ships approach to some body of land. All one needs is a clean needle or a condom or possibility an abortion and theyre off and running, seeking a little pleasure, at the cost of the loss of their life, and of their soul. Now, in our text, Paul is again in great danger. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. of It was time for another word of encouragement. The smaller boat, was much more easily handled, and would have been the logical choice when trying to make shore, especially in such circumstances. It was simpler, it seems, to forbid them from killing any of them. Thus, the safety of the ship, according to Pauls words, required the presence of the crew. If you want to be a godly leader, I encourage you to focus on the qualities that God identifies as necessary in a leader. Fourth, a moderate south wind had come up,552 which seemed to promise fair sailing to a better port. They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. Paul and a number of other prisoners were put aboard an Adramyttian ship,542 which was setting sail for ports along the coast of Asia. After all, a number of the passengers could not even swim (see verses 43-44). Examples of democratic leaders A few specific examples of leaders who have demonstrated this style of leadership include: Former CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, demonstrated how much she valued her team members by writing personalized letters to their parents. The angry mob, which the Asian Jews had incited in Jerusalem, were trying to kill Paul, but God used Claudius Lysias and his soldiers to save his life. Pauls safety and deliverance was so certain that it was sufficient for others as well. At its heart, leadership for the Christian means loving God, walking in God's ways, acknowledging God's blessing, confessing personal limitations and corporate failures, doing justice, seeking peace and asking God for the gift of . Had they heeded his warnings, this would not have happened. The storms of your life may not have been sent your way to destroy you, but to turn you to Gods salvation. And also for Pauls sake, all of the prisoners were spared from execution by the soldiers. In the early church there was a problem. Paul had courage in the face of opposition because he had limitless horizons in his mission. When the ship was far out at sea, and no one knowing how far they might be from land, abandoning ship was no temptation. While it is great to learn from others, you dont have to try to be like others. Third, the port where they were anchored was not as ideal for wintering as some other ports, which were not that far away. Your family. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. Paul was spared so that he could go to Rome, and there proclaim the gospel. Here is a man whose personal safety was assured, and yet who lived with care and caution. Democratic leadership is an effective leadership style but can sometimes be too slow when fast decisions are needed. Up to this point in time, they had gone a long while without food. He did get disgusted. They planned to slip away, on the pretext of laying out anchors, but they were going to take the lifeboat (as it were) and leave the people to fend for themselves in the ravaging storm, in a ship drifting ever near the rocks of the approaching shore. If Paul had been right before, and his words had come to pass, he had even more important words to speak now, not from his own perception or judgment, but from the God whom he served. What the ships crew intended to do was a cowardly thing. Leading others is just too big of a responsibility for us to handle without continual prayer. This may have been the case, and if so the calculations upon which the shipmaster (not owner as AV and RV, according to Ramsay) based his rash advice are less apparent. E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Wm. If Paul was completely right in his previous warning, then many were about to die. The grounding of the ship, some distance from shore, and then its breaking up poses another threat, which all survive. He believed in himself, but he believed in something bigger than himself, namely, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified," (1 Cor. Even running under the shelter of a small island (Clauda, verse 16), they could hardly get the ships dingy on board. Accompanying Paul were Luke544 and Aristarchus, who was from Thessalonica.545. There is no thus saith the Lord here, but Pauls words were worth heeding. He wanted to spare him, and so he forbade them from killing any of the prisoners.564 All of the prisoners were spared, on account of one personPaul, just as all of the passengers were spared for Pauls sake. How this decision would be regretted, and soon! 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose. If we are not in Christ, who has weathered the storm, then we must endure the storm ourselves, to our eternal destruction. 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). If Gods sovereignty is the source of comfort to the Christian, it is the source of terror for the unbeliever, for God has warned of His coming judgment. As Paul had already informed them, neither the ship nor its cargo would survive, only the passengers. Since leadership is important, how does Godly leadership fit into the equation? If the relative safety of the passengers was in being on board ship, with Paul, our certain safety is in being in Christ. He has weathered the storm of Gods wrath on the sinner. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? Paul had a fair bit of experience with sea travel. Paul: "Believe in something bigger than yourself." "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). True leaders aren't afraid to call a spade a spade. Few managers or politicians understand that. At the beginning of the chapter, Paul is the object, the one who is acted upon. The assassination conspiracy was still the main hope of the Sanhedrin as Paul was imprisoned for two years by Felix, but God kept Paul from Jerusalem. 4. In 1925 Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman to serve as a governor in the United States when she was inaugurated in Wyoming. These are examples of democratic leadership: All opinions are brought forward in team meetings. A friend of mine, Jonathan Leath, wrote a book he titled You Only Lead One (YOLO). He took Pauls warnings seriously here, too. In Acts 20:35, we see him say to the elders of the church in Ephesus, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more . Here is another example of Godly leadership in the Bible that sometimes gets overlooked. And Joshua did so.". They had to move quickly now to get off the ship and to swim to shore. It was only some forty miles to Lutro. Robertson, p. 461. They were also able to build a church that met in their home. In the sea of Adria (en toi Hadriai). 1. So, says Luke, they lowered the instrument, not being more specific perhaps because he did not know, or did not remember, the technical name for whatever it was that was lowered. {I have been} on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from {my} countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren (2 Corinthians 11:25-26). If God {is} for us, who {is} against us? Obedient Daniel. Every passenger made it safely to shore. The question was where the ship would make port for the winter. If the sailors didnt believe Paul, the soldiers did. One more detail about the future was revealed by Paul: the ship must run aground on a certain, but unnamed, island. Thankfully if God has called you to leadership, he will take the time to help you grow into it. Here are some examples of their leadership. He was most likely the envy of other young leaders. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. . In one of the more popular set of verses in the Bible, here is what Mordecai told Esther.