Timothy was hungry to learn but he also recognized that growth in leadership comes at a cost. He was willing to pay the price that was required to shape him into the strong leader that he would become. Consider these scriptures about his life:

Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek (Acts 16:3, NIV).

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God (2 Timothy 1:7–8).

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

These verses, and many others, hint at the price Timothy needed to pay to be the leader we admire today.

Timothy paid the price of surrendering. 

Before he even left home, Timothy learned that leadership is not about him and his comfort but about being ready and willing to serve others. The pain of circumcision was more than physical, it meant that he was willing to surrender his own comfort for the sake of those he wanted to serve. When people would look down on him because of his youth, he would surrender his desire to fight back and declare his position. Timothy was learning an early lesson that all serving leaders eventually learn—at the heart of serving leadership is a heart attitude of surrender.

Some leaders are not willing to give up their own ambitions, dreams, and ego for the sake of those they serve. But serving leaders pay the price of surrender, not once but daily.

Timothy paid the price of stretching.  

When Timothy agreed to join Paul, it was an exciting new adventure but it was also costly. Traveling to new cities was not all exotic, especially when they were chased out of town with stones! This journey would require Timothy to stretch and grow in ways that would not be comfortable. He had to relocate and leave the comfort of his own home and place of his birth. He would need to stretch his “timid” personality to be a bold leader. He would stretch out of his comfort zone with continual new challenges and greater levels of responsibility as he matured under Paul’s guidance. He would pay the price of learning to receive the correction and counsel that Paul continued to give even as a seasoned leader. He needed to stretch his own character to be a model for others.

Some leaders want responsibility and authority without being willing to pay the price of being stretched in their own growth. But serving leaders accept that leadership is a journey of continual growth and development. Serving leaders focus on stretching themselves before directing others.

Timothy paid the price of suffering.  

Timothy paid the price of physical suffering and was likely jailed at least once. (See Hebrews 13:23). But he also suffered along with Paul as they were persecuted on many occasions. He suffered the isolation of separation from his family, the discomfort of continual moves, and the false accusations others made about him.  Apparently, he also suffered physical ailments. (See 1 Timothy 5:23).

Many leaders step back from leadership when they face suffering and decide to take a less costly path. But serving leaders accept that suffering is a price of leadership and will be used to strengthen their character and make them more effective in serving others.

For further reflection and discussion:

• What price have I already paid to lead? Are there other steps I should take as a leader that have seemed too costly for me to take? What will it take for me to be willing to pay the price?  Who can help me take this step?
• In what way(s) have I surrendered my own ambition, dreams or ego this week? How does this impact my leadership?
• In what way(s) am I currently stretching my leadership capacity? Are any changes needed?
• How do I respond to suffering in my leadership and how does this impact my growth?
• What can I do to help those I lead be willing to pay the price of leadership?      
• In addition to the verses we used in this issue, consider the following verses: 2 Timothy 2:3, 3:12, and 4:5. What additional insights do you find from these verses about how Timothy paid a price for his leadership?    

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll examine how Timothy clarified his calling.

We have observed how Paul chose and prepared Timothy, one of the emerging leaders on his team. As Paul invited Timothy to join him on a leadership journey, he was beginning a deliberate process of showing Timothy how to lead. They would walk together, work together, talk together and share life together. By his example, Paul would show Timothy what leadership looked like. Many years later, near the end of his life, Paul wrote these words to Timothy confirming that he had accomplished this task:  

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings (2 Timothy 3:10-11a, NIV).  

After many years Paul was able to say to Timothy that he had shown him these nine elements of his life. Paul’s life was an open book for Timothy. He demonstrated the good and the painful parts of leadership. He is able to tell Timothy that he knew everything about him as a leader. Serving leaders learn from Paul’s example the importance of showing those they lead the ups and downs of the leadership journey.  

Serving leaders show the way.  

Some elements of leadership require instruction and Paul spoke about “my teaching.” But Paul went beyond instruction to demonstration. He showed Timothy his “way of life.”  By his example he showed Timothy the way to plant churches in new locations, the way to lead in crisis situations, the way to deal with adversities, the way to raise up other leaders, etc. Paul understood that more leadership ability is caught than taught.  Some leaders tell others what to do without demonstrating how to do it. But serving leaders show others; they model the way. This does not mean that a serving leader needs to do every task, but they are willing to roll up their sleeves and show the team the way it is done. They recognize that developing other leaders requires showing them how it is done.  

Serving leaders show the purpose.  

Paul’s modeling to Timothy included not only his external actions, but his purpose. He was able to tell Timothy that he knew “my purpose.” Paul’s purpose was the ‘why’ behind the ‘what.’ Timothy undoubtedly heard over and over the story of Paul’s conversion, of God’s call on his life and his passion to reach the Gentile world. Timothy helped Paul write Colossians where Paul says his purpose is to “present everyone fully mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). Paul made it clear to Timothy why they were doing what they were doing. Some leaders only demonstrate how a task should be done. But serving leaders explain the purpose of that task and tie all leadership actions to the purpose or mission of the organization.  

Serving leaders show the cost.   

Paul not only showed Timothy the positive elements of leadership, but he also revealed the cost of leadership as he showed Timothy that leadership involved “endurance”, “persecutions”, and “sufferings.” Timothy personally witnessed the price Paul paid for his leadership and he likely experienced a time in prison as well. (See Hebrews 13:23). Some leaders call others by revealing the benefits of a role or position without disclosing the costs. But serving leaders learn the importance of showing those they led the ups and downs of the leadership journey from Paul’s example.  By showing the cost they prepare the emerging leaders to have the fortitude to finish the journey.  

For further reflection and discussion: 

• Are there areas that I tell others what to do but have not shown them how to do it? Does my leadership balance my teaching and showing? Would those who follow me say they know about my “way of life” or do I hide elements of who I am from those I lead?  

• Is the purpose of the organization I lead clear to all who follow? Do I clearly tie the purpose of my organization to every leadership action I request others to do? In what way can I improve in this area?  
• Do I make the cost of leadership clear to those I am developing as leaders or do I tend to hide my own pain and struggles? How can I be appropriately honest about what leadership costs?         

Until next time, yours on the journey, 

Jon Byler 

In the next issue, we’ll examine how Paul developed his leadership pipeline by empowering them. 

We all love stories of victory and triumph, when truth wins and justice triumphs. But life and leadership do not always end this way, and John’s leadership certainly did not. His life ended with pain and suffering when Herod threw him into prison after John rebuked the king for his immorality. Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her." Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet. On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns (Matthew 14:3-13). John suffered more than the loss of his life. He was “bound” and experienced physical pain. He was separated from his closest friends and family. During his time in prison, he was painfully aware that he could no longer preach to the crowds. He could not experience the joy of baptizing people in response to his message. He suffered all of this because he had boldly spoken the truth to a king! We quickly applaud John’s courage for confronting wrong, but we are less comfortable with the suffering which followed. Yet John’s suffering was not in vain, and it teaches all servant leaders that suffering can have purpose.

Suffering refined his heart.

For John, the days in prison and physical suffering brought doubt (which we examined in the last issue) to the surface of his heart. Thankfully, he was able to express it and accept the answers from Jesus. During his days in prison he surely examined his motives for leadership and reflected on his call. One of the purposes of suffering is to reveal what is deep within us. Suffering, while painful, exposes what lies deep inside, hidden until the pain reveals it to us. When exposed, these heart issues can be healed. Servant leaders embrace the pain of suffering as their heart is refined.

Suffering complemented his message.

John’s message changed lives but his suffering also impacted the lives of others around him. When Jesus heard that John was imprisoned, he changed his own location (see Matthew 4:12). When John’s disciples came to bring his questions to Jesus, He took the occasion to change His message and talked about the role of John (see Matthew 11:7-19). When Jesus heard of the gruesome beheading, He withdrew to a quiet place for reflection. John’s disciples were also touched by his suffering as they ministered to his physical needs and delivered his messages. At his death, they came and lovingly carried his body away for burial. John teaches us that the way we go through suffering may impact others as much as our public message. As we allow suffering and pain to shape and change us, others are watching and learning. The message of servant leaders is completed in suffering.

Suffering completed his life purpose.

John knew that he was to be a messenger for the one who would come after him. He is the one who said of Jesus, “He must increase and I must decrease.” God used John’s voice for a season, but the time was finished. In this instance, it ended with what appears to be failure, yet John fully completed his calling. Servant leaders accept that when allowed by God, their suffering completes God’s purpose for their life.

John’s suffering with purpose teaches us that we can lead from prison as well as in public.

For further reflection and discussion:

• Why do we shrink from suffering and how does John’s life help us when faced with suffering?
• What does Philippians 1:29-30 teach about suffering and how is it different from what many teach about Christians and suffering?
• Reflect on how your own life has been impacted by suffering, either your own or watching others go through suffering. Think of physical, emotional, relational pain or loss. What lessons have you learned? Of what value was the pain you experienced? How did it refine your heart?
• Reflect on how the suffering of John touched the lives of his disciples and Jesus. What do you think Jesus did when he was alone after John’s beheading? Before he died, do you think John was aware of the impact his suffering had on others? Why or why not? What does this teach us about suffering?
• Reflect on how Jesus identifies with those who suffer from Hebrews 2:18, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” How can this affect your view of suffering?

In the last issue of this series we’ll examine the life of Timothy, a young leader who was learning to balance boldness and humility through the mentoring of his spiritual father, Paul. He encouraged Timothy to be bold, especially as it related to his willingness to share with others the Good News of Jesus and to humbly accept the suffering it would bring. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. Rather join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, (2Timothy 1:6-8)

Servant leaders boldly present Jesus to others.

Paul encourages Timothy not to be timid in testifying about the Lord but bold. Perhaps Timothy had a timid personality or simply didn’t enjoy talking much. In any case, Paul encouraged him to “fan into flame” the gifts God had entrusted to him and to receive the boldness God desires for all leaders. He challenged Timothy not to be ashamed of the Gospel but to declare if fearlessly. No matter where we live in the world it takes boldness to publically share Jesus with others. Communicating the Gospel always elicits spiritual opposition which requires leaders of courage to overcome it. Servant leaders seek to model their faith in all they do but they do not shrink from sharing verbally about Jesus. They pray for opportunities to share Jesus with their employees, co-workers, customers, neighbors, family members and friends. Speaking about issues of faith in the public arena requires leaders of courage who are filled with the Spirit of God. Boldness in sharing is not measured in the volume of our speech, but in our willingness to speak clearly and with conviction when required. Servant leaders recognize that God has placed them in positions of influence to speak for Him.

Servant leaders humbly accept suffering for the Gospel.

Paul challenges Timothy to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus and then quickly invites him to join in suffering for the sake of the same gospel. Bold sharing is coupled with humble acceptance of suffering by servant leaders. They expect resistance to the message of the Gospel. At times this may be in the form of physical opposition, at other times the resistance is much more subtle. Leaders who speak boldly may be mocked or accused of being intolerant, narrow minded or old fashioned. Servant leaders share boldly but do not fight to be heard or insist on defending themselves or their message. They refuse to be drawn into arguments or defend their own ‘rights’ to be heard and understood. They recognize that the message is not about them and they are simply chosen by God to deliver it to those God brings into their lives. They rejoice when the message is welcomed but they persevere when it is rejected. They will not stop sharing even when it costs them prestige in the eyes of others, a business deal, customers, friends or finances. They look to Jesus who suffered and acknowledge that His followers are called to join with Him in suffering. Paul, often beaten and imprisoned for the sake of the gospel, calls Timothy and all servant leaders to humbly accept suffering as part of our leadership. We seek to balance bold humility as we share our faith. When servant leaders find that they are not experiencing any suffering, they cry out for more boldness!

In this series we have reflected on the call for servant leaders to possess confident boldness balanced with deep humility. Timothy, and the other leaders we have examined, teach us that it is possible to balance the two. May we each rise up and lead…with bold humility!

For further reflection and discussion:

• Would others describe me as “bold” or “timid” in sharing the gospel? What is the result in my leadership?
• Where does a leader receive the boldness Paul challenged Timothy to have? What does Acts 1:8 have to say to this question?
• Who are the people Christ has put in my life with whom I can share the gospel? In what ways have I been faithful to that calling and in what ways have I neglected the calling?
• What type of opposition have I faced in sharing the gospel? Has it diminished my boldness in any way? What is God speaking to me in regard to opposition?