Biblical Lessons in Leadership

Each leader has unique characteristics; some are more patient, others are not. The question is: which one can be considered more of a leader than the other? Let’s look at a case in the Bible where a young man named Mark, when the journey became more difficult, left the others and returned to Jerusalem. In Acts 15:36-41, a disagreement begins between Paul and Barnabas. In verse 39, it says that the disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. The reason for the split was that Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, and Paul did not agree. Paul saw no point in taking someone who had already proven that he was not yet ready to face dangerous journeys full of persecution.

Barnabas decided to stay with John Mark. Since the journey had to go forward, Paul chose Silas to go with him (v. 40). Looking at the hardships Paul and Silas faced, it seems clear that Paul's decision was the right one. In answer to the question above: both kinds of leadership are valid. This episode highlights two completely different characteristics of leadership style or type.

For Paul, someone who could not handle the pressure of a dangerous journey was not ready, and it was not Paul's leadership style to make room for that. That is where another kind of leader comes in: Barnabas. Although we are not told exactly how it happened, it seems Barnabas invested in Mark's life, leading Paul later to recommend him: "Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry" (2 Timothy 4:11).

The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas shows two kinds of leadership. Barnabas was more patient and invested in people, while Paul showed no patience at all for working with someone who was not yet ready. For that reason, he formed a strong partnership with Silas.