Genuine spiritual leadership seems to be rare these days.
There are so many different factors and sets of expectations at work that
people seem to forget what real leadership looks like. On top of this disregard
for genuine leadership, there also seems to be an inability to recognize
potential leaders when they are in our midst. This begs the question, what are
we to look for in prospective leaders? Or, if we desire to lead, what should we
be looking to develop in our own lives?
Acts 18 records the story of Apollos. We are told several
things about him that would lead to his effectiveness in ministry. There are
certain characteristics that he had that any potential leaders should have as
well. Here is a list of these characteristics:
He had a natural competency – Verse 24 says, “He was an
eloquent man.”
He also had a working knowledge of the Scriptures – Verse
24, “He was competent in the Scriptures.”
He was passionate – Verse 25, “Being fervent in spirit.”
He was careful – Verse 25, “He spoke and taught accurately
the things concerning Jesus.”
He was bold – Verse 26, “He began to speak boldly in the
synagogue.”
He was teachable – Verse 26, “When Priscilla and Aquila
heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more
accurately.”
He was available – Verse 27, “He wished to cross to Achaia.”
He was helpful – Verse 27, “When he arrived, he greatly
helped those who through grace had believed.”
He was powerful – Verse 28, “He powerfully refuted the Jews
in public.”
While all of these characteristics may not currently be
evident in our lives, they certainly give us a standard to attain to. Also, if
we are looking for potential leaders in our midst, these characteristics
provide us with a test of sorts to recognize qualified candidates. If the
church is going to fulfill her mission, we must return to a biblical model and
mindset of leadership.
