Fill the Stage

Daniel Dignan

Fill The Stage

“Character is Destiny”

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Called to Lead

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John MacArthur, the late pastor of Grace Community Church and chancellor of the Master’s University in California, wrote an excellent book on leadership principles drawn from the lives of St. Paul and Nehemiah.

Paul planted churches across the Roman Empire, wrote much of the New Testament, and is largely responsible for the rise of Christianity in the first century. Nehemiah served as King Artaxerxes’ cupbearer in the 5th century BC. He was a Jewish exile from Israel who received permission to rebuild his city, Jerusalem, which the Babylonians had destroyed in 586.

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Called to Lead transports readers to the time and place of Paul and Nehemiah and identifies what’s implied in the Bible about their leadership. The first lesson of leadership is trustworthiness. MacArthur explains how Paul gained trust and influence.

Students will not only gain insight into leadership but also deepen their understanding of the Bible’s meaning and message.

Saint Paul in Thessaloniki

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After Philippi, Paul and Silas journeyed south to Thessaloniki (Acts 17:1-10, ESV). Located in the middle of Greece, and on the northwestern part of the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki was (and is today) significant commercially and culturally. Named after Alexander the Great’s sister, it functioned as an independent city during Paul’s day, but would later become a Roman province.

Thessaloniki was highly valued among empires, changing hands several times. After Roman rule, Byzantium, the Bulgars, the Ottomans, and, starting in 1912, the Greeks ruled the city (Paul).

Paul’s preaching transformed the city, and the church he founded became influential. Though an angry mob forced him to leave, his New Testament letters to the church (1 and 2 Thessalonians) reveal that the church would go on to positively affect all of Greece (1 Thessalonians 1:6-9), and eventually, through the letters, the entire world.

One of the most famous passages in the letters regards the second coming of Christ (a future event), and Paul’s encouragement to Christians to be ready for that day. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-11).

If you ever travel to Thessaloniki, be sure to notice the Roman forum, the medieval walls, and the ancient churches, particularly the fifth-century Basilica of St. Demetrius.

Basilica of St. Demetrius

Saint Paul

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It’s impossible to exaggerate the influence of the Apostle Paul in the world, and particularly in the West. Only Jesus Christ has had a greater influence, and behind Paul, one would have to say that Aristotle or Plato are close to Paul’s impact, yet trail it. That is quite the company.

After Christ’s death and resurrection, Paul spread Christianity throughout the world. He founded churches in Asia and Europe, writing letters to these churches which have been read ever since in the Bible’s New Testament. The most famous is his letter to the church in Rome, titled Romans. In it, he explains the good news that Christ revealed.

In a nutshell, Paul declared:

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” “…But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9,10 – English Standard Version)

Paul’s life, leadership, and letters have not only changed the lives of millions, perhaps billions, of people, helping them find happiness, but they have also served as a bulwark of the West’s historical commitment to human dignity and freedom. They are increasingly making their mark on Eastern cultures, the Middle East, and the Global South.

Paul’s letters include Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The cities and, in some cases, the ruins of the ancient cities mentioned in these letters can be seen today. I recently visited several of these locations, and over the next several weeks, I will share highlights.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Paul’s letters, carefully studied, are enjoyable, fascinating, terrifying, and life-changing. I recommend adding them to a reading plan for your high school and even middle school students.

In conclusion, numerous books have been written about Paul’s teachings and life. Some are intended for scholars, while others are for a popular audience. One of my favorite books is Called to Lead: 26 Leadership Lessons from the Life of the Apostle Paul.