Leading with Humility

1 Corinthians 16:12 (ESV)

[12] Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

I find this verse fascinating. Paul did not just urge or encourage Apollos to visit the Corinthians, he “strongly” or “repeatedly” urged him. Still, Apollos did not want to come at that time. Paul’s response was, “He will come when he has opportunity.” Another way of saying that is, “He will come when he thinks the time is right.” Paul felt free to let Apollos choose regarding his ministry rather than dictate and control him.

In 1 Peter 5:3, Peter wrote that the Elders should give oversight to the church, “not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” That kind of leadership is the expression of Christ’s love. Within certain church circles much emphasis is given to the idea of pastoral authority. I assume that idea began with the truth that when we preach God’s Word we preach with authority. Unfortunately that idea seems to be carried over from preaching to leading. Pastors are told to lead with authority. Pastors are offended when people resist their authority. But, Jesus said that we are to be servants not masters. Peter said to be examples, not domineering over those we lead. We would do well to give less credence to pastoral authority and more emphasis on being an example.

When individuals has been praying about something, or thinking on something for some time, they may assume that their conclusions are led by the Spirit. Sometimes we even feel that we are inspired by the Holy Spirit. We feel that we heard clearly from him in a brilliant flash of insight. Still, biblically, anything we think we are hearing from God should be tested against what others are hearing. Just two chapters earlier Paul wrote, “the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets” (1 Cor 14:32). No person is infallible. What we think we are hearing from God should always be tested against what other godly individuals are hearing.

I have a pastor friend whose whole life and ministry is centered on listening to the Spirit and following his lead. Still, my friend is constantly testing what he is hearing or thinking against what others are hearing and how others understand the scriptures. He understands that he is not infallible. He wants to follow the Spirit, but he recognizes that he is not the only who to whom the Spirit speaks. I appreciate his humility.

Just because Paul thought Apollos should go to Corinth, he did not demand it. He gave Apollos the freedom to choose. Biblical love means that we resist the desire to play Holy Spirit in the lives of others. We are to lead by example, not by imposed authority. When we insist on our way we are placing ourselves in the place of God. We need to recognize that God has the ability to move people in His way and in His time without our counsel. Let God be God.