Servant Leadership Case Study Paul The Apostle

Servant Orientation Another element or characteristic of a Pauline leadership theory includes an orientation toward service. In his letter to the Romans, Paul calls himself “a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle […](Romans 1;1), while indicating that he is “obligated” (Romans 1:14) to those he has been called to share the Gospel. This is unmistakably an element of Paul’s own perspective of his role as an apostle, and as a servant of Christ. This duality of mission and obligation to those who are in need of the Gospel define his orientation toward service. “Servant leadership starts with a vision and ends with a servant heart that help people live according to that vision” (Blanchard & Hodges, 2003, p.57). In this case, …show more content…
Yet, this ability to strive for the big picture was not the only driver of Paul’s success. Not discounting the work of the Holy Spirit, one must understand that Paul demonstrated authenticity in his leadership style. George (2003) pointed out that,
Authentic leaders demonstrate five basic characteristics: (1) They under- stand their purpose, (2) they have strong values about the right thing to do, (3) they establish trusting relationships with others, (4) they demonstrate self-discipline and act on their values, and (5) they are passionate about their mission (i.e., act from their heart) (as cited by Northouse, 2013, …show more content…
Here in lies his only priority. Paul understood his mission and purpose and had tremendous passion for sharing the Gospel. It was this mission that served as the measure for all of his actions and guide for his interactions with others. Paul’s success came with great sacrifice, and yet he set himself for the task including all that it entails. This focus on the mission of God above all else, is the catalyst for lasting impact that Paul has engendered through the centuries, securing his role as one of the greatest missionary apostles of Church