In the past hour I have been listening to David Hamilton speak on biblical leadership. In doing so he drew from the example of Barnabas. He noted that worldly leaders are taught to make things happen for themselves, but biblical leaders are those who open doors for others. Worldly leaders champion self; biblical leaders champion others.
When Peter was a young leader of the new Way and the Church was only just beginning, we are introduced to Barnabas, this Son of Encouragement, who led the way for people to sell their land and give to the Church. Acts 4:36. His real name is only mentioned once in scripture, Joseph. He is better known as the encourager, Barnabas.
Can you imagine how encouraging Barnabas’ act of faith must have been to Peter? Here Peter is, uneducated and in a new role, thousands being added to the Way, and Barnabas believes so much in what is being done that he sells what he has and gives it all to the Church. I know from personal experience how motivating and encouraging it can be for someone to sacrifice to give to our ministry.
Barnabas continued this pattern of stepping out in faith and showing a profound love for others with Saul/Paul. When Paul was new to the faith, fresh from killing Christians, all of the other followers feared Paul and assumed he was seeking their harm. Barnabas alone opened the door for Paul. He brought him to the apostles and stood with him. Acts 9:27.
Then, we see Barnabas leading Saul in missions and ministry. Barnabas went looking for Saul to bring Saul along in ministry. Acts 11:22-30. The book of Acts records their partnership as Barnabas and Saul at first. But over time it becomes Saul and Barnabas. Barnabas not only showed great hospitality to Saul as a new convert, he also discipled him and led him in ministry to the point where Paul became even more well known than Barnabas.
Finally, we see Barnabas believing in a young man, John Mark, who had abandoned Paul and Barnabas on an earlier missionary journey. Paul refused to work again with John Mark at that time, and Barnabas so believed in John Mark that he left Paul to lead John Mark on ministry into Cyprus. We know that Barnabas must have had a positive impact on this young man because at the end of Paul’s life, when he writes to Timothy, he asks Timothy to bring John Mark to his side “because he is helpful to [Paul] in ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11.
Additionally, note well the impact of Barnabas’ life of encouragement and discipleship. Peter led the early church and wrote two letters of the New Testament. John Mark was commissioned to author one of the four gospels. Paul wrote 13 letters of the New Testament. In addition, Luke worked alongside Paul and Barnabas and authored another of the gospel accounts and the book of Acts. That’s fully 2/3rds of the books of the New Testament being written by the men whom Barnabas encouraged greatly.
We need more leaders like Barnabas: men and women who don’t try to lead by control or self-promotion. We need leaders who are following Jesus’ model, who live to serve and lift others up. It isn’t a model we always see in churches, where often pastors maintain strict control over the pulpit and leadership in the church. The church must become a place of grace, where every believer is given great freedom to present their gifts to the Lord.