| Summary: | The nature of the sources does not allow us to analyse and assess the leadership style of the apostle Paul with the parameters and tools used in leadership studies today. What we have is Paul’s perspective and counsel on selected issues, not a comprehensive portrayal of his actual performance or an understanding of it. In addition, what we have defies empirical analysis. However, it is possible to read his letters from the particular perspective of relational leadership. Therefore, this article focuses on the way in which Paul, as the leading figure in what can be called the Pauline mission enterprise (a closely knit network of communities of Christ-believers, co-workers, mission partners and Paul himself) empowered and developed the congregations he and others had founded. To this end, Paul made use of several measures. He not only led people to Christ, but gathered them in congregations and stayed for longer periods of time to nurture the new believers. He shared his life and ministry with them, could characterise his relationship with them in affectionate terms, taught them carefully, implemented the necessary local structures and assisted in discovering and using the resources provided through the Holy Spirit. Paul was well informed about the congregations and saw to a steady flow of information in the “holy internet”. Whenever possible, he re-visited the congregations and/or sent his co-workers when he could not do so himself or when others were more suitable. Last but not least, he wrote letters to address burning issues when he could not be there to do so in person. We owe a number of the New Testament’s 27 writings to Paul’s understanding of relational leadership! In this way, Paul can serve as a historical example of effective relational leadership in a Christian context. In closing, the article relates this portrayal to contemporary challenges and concerns in Christian leadership.
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