There are, then, three peaks, or highpoints, in the period of Peter's leadership of the church. First, there was the role Peter was allowed to play in the founding of the Jewish congregation in Jerusalem at Pentecost. Second, there is his role in establishing the important principle that Samaritans, who by a generous estimate might be called half-jews, could have a place in the church. And finally, Peter was allowed to demonstrate that even full-blooded Gentiles could be accepted into the Christian church. (A Portrait of Peter, Panning, p.30)
Peter's life is incredibly instructive for us today, especially for those of us in Christ's church.
Peter's leadership journey had distinct phases of prominence, influence, and anonymity. He is the prominent apostle throughout the first twelve chapters of Acts, but even here, several chapters are already laying the foundation for the early church moving beyond him (Acts 6-9:31).
There is no doubt Peter was the rock of the early church. His leadership was crucial in keeping the apostles together after Jesus' ascension. It is his sermon that Luke records on the day of Pentecost. We are told of several times that he was arrested for proclaiming the message of Christ crucified. He was crucial to the original church in Jerusalem.
Peter also played an important role in the church's understanding that "all nations" meant Samaritans and Gentiles as well, not just Jews. Peter's time living and serving in Joppa and Lydda, and his visit to the house of Cornelius emphatically demonstrated to the early church that Samaritan and Gentile believers were just as much a part of Christ's church as any Jew. This may be where Peter's leadership was most important. We are still blessed by the ripple effect of this part of Peter's ministry. Most of you reading this are likely Gentiles. This part of Peter's ministry opened the door for Paul's minsitry to the Gentiles to be accepted and celebrated by the early church. Paul had an ally at the meeting of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15) in Peter making the point that the Church is made up of all who have faith in Jesus Christ as their savior, not just those who can trace their lineage back to Abraham.
Let's look at three important leadership lessons from Peter's ministry and life:
Somebody Needs to Take Responsibility
Peter stepped into this role right away. When the all the dicsiples returned from the mount of ascension it is Peter who stands up before everyone and declares that they should appoint someone to take the spot vacated by Judas. He recognizes this need and takes responsibility for making sure the situation is handled sooner than later, immediately.
Throughout the first chapters of Acts, Peter seems to be the one giving the infant church its organizational structure. Luke records Peter as the one who addresses the crowd at Pentecost defending his congregation. It is also Peter's sermon on Pentecost that Luke has recorded for us. (Panning makes the point in his book that it is likely that all the apostles would have been preaching on Pentecost since they were each given the ability to speak in different tongues.)
Leaders Act Courageously
There are two distinct groups with whom Peter had to demonstrate courage: The Sanhedrin and his own church.
Peter continued to preach in public despite constant persecution by the Jews. Several times Peter was arrested, flogged, and brought before the Sanhedrin. Every time they warned him, and whoever was with him, not to preach in the name of Jesus. Every time Peter refused to capitulate: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God." (Acts 4:19) Peter evevtually had to leave Jerusalem because both the Jews and King Herrod wanted to kill him.
The other group Peter had to act courageously with was his own church. One form this took was him rebuking the sinful actions of his members: specifically Ananias and Sapphira. That rebuke led to their immediate death and judgment.
The other group within the church was the council. After Peter visited Cornelius, at God's direction, members of the Jerusalem council were not happy that he had visited the house of a Gentile. Peter had to instruct them about God's declaration that no people are unclean. God's wants all people to be saved.
Often times, a leader's fiercest battles will be fought against people who are supposed to be on his side. Peter was incorporating change within the church and this was a problem for the Jewish believers who had strong preconcieved notions of what the church was. Leaders have the courage to make the changes that need to be made. Leaders attack the status quo and long-entrenched paradigms about "this is how it's done because this is how we've always done it."
Never be suprised when you are attacked and criticized for changing the status quo.
Leaders Are Humble Enough to Pass the Torch
Yet we also notice that Peter's stature declines in direct proportion to the church's movement away from Jerusalem. (A Portrait of Peter, Panning, p.18)
This is a hard lesson for many leaders. Sadly, many never learn this lesson and their organization pays the price.
A leader's true job is to develop other leaders. If that's true (which it is) then the whole purpose of leadership is to replace yourself. If you care about the mission more than personal glory this isn't difficult. It's what supports your long-term vision. To me, the most tragic loss a leader can experience is the death of his organization the day after he leaves.
There is nothing in Scripture that tells us Peter ever suffered from jealousy of Paul, Philip, or any of the other apostles and early evangelists. Peter cared about Christ's church and leading people to heaven. He didn't seem to care whose preaching was accomplishing this work. Peter understood team ministry.
It is sad to me that so few churches today focus on leadership development within their congregation. Then they complain that no one will step up and take leadership positions within the church. If the men who have held those offices for decades won't step down, and if the church is doing nothing to help its members develop their leadership skills and abilities this church will die within the next twenty years. They probably don't really have that long.
The apostles were constantly developing the next generation of leaders as a matter of course. They never carried out the ministry of the church alone. Their discipleship is what prepared the next generation of pastors and church leaders. Maybe there's a lesson in the pages of Scripture for the church today...maybe.
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.- Luke 10:1
God bless
Jason Fredrick
