How does Paul's example in Acts 20:17 inspire leadership in our church today? Setting the Scene: Paul Calls the Elders “From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.” (Acts 20:17) • Paul has just completed a demanding season of ministry, yet his first instinct is to invest in leaders. • He chooses elders, not the entire congregation, underscoring the biblical pattern of equipping shepherds (Titus 1:5). • The verse is brief, but it opens a window into a heart that values leadership multiplication. What We Learn From a Single Verse 1. Initiative – Paul “sent” for the elders; he does not wait passively. – Healthy leaders pursue opportunities to strengthen others (2 Timothy 2:2). 2. Clarity of Roles – Elders are singled out because Scripture assigns them oversight (1 Peter 5:1–2). – Distinct, biblical leadership structures safeguard doctrine and foster growth. 3. Relational Proximity – Paul wants a face-to-face meeting. Remote letters can’t replace personal shepherding (1 Thessalonians 2:8). – Leaders who draw near model Christ’s incarnation (John 1:14). 4. Priority in the Schedule – Miletus to Ephesus is roughly thirty miles; summoning elders costs time and effort. – Today’s leaders likewise budget energy for people, not merely programs. Expanding the Lens: Verses 18–35 Illuminate Verse 17 Although verse 17 initiates the gathering, Paul’s subsequent words flesh out the leadership template: • Humility: “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears” (v. 19). • Perseverance: “I did not shrink from declaring anything that was helpful” (v. 20). • Gospel Focus: “Testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God” (v. 21). • Spirit-Led Resolve: “Compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem” (v. 22). • Guarded Flock: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock” (v. 28). • Generous Example: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (v. 35). Translating Paul’s Model Into Today’s Church Practical ways the church can mirror Acts 20:17 leadership: • Schedule deliberate elder retreats or meetings that focus on spiritual oversight, not just administration. • Encourage elders to maintain close, personal contact with the congregation—hospital visits, home meals, sincere conversations. • Anchor every leadership decision in the gospel mission; programs serve proclamation, never the reverse. • Cultivate humility by sharing testimonies of weakness and God’s strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). • Train emerging leaders through life-on-life mentoring rather than classroom theory alone (Philippians 3:17). • Protect the flock by guarding doctrine, modeling holiness, and holding one another accountable (1 Timothy 4:16). Why It Matters When leaders take initiative, prioritize people, and center on the gospel—just as Paul did—the church is strengthened, error is curtailed, and Christ’s name is exalted. One verse, Acts 20:17, launches an enduring pattern: godly leaders intentionally gather, invest, and guide the church for the glory of God. |
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