Management According to the Apostles

If you’ve ever worked in any kind of organization, for-profit or not-for-profit, I’m sure you have attended a conference or two. Whatever our expectations going in, I usually find these conferences expose me to communication and problem-solving styles that are different from my own, nudging me into a little unexpected self-discovery. And it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and do something different.

Here’s my idea for a leadership conference: The Management Style of the Apostles. Think about it, the only thing the Apostles had more abundantly than holiness was problems. Lots and lots of problems … most of them of the human resources variety. It’s no small feat, starting Christ’s Church on earth. I wouldn’t want to be project manager of that endeavor.

The Acts of the Apostles is, in some ways, a big book full of problems and ways to solve them. It’s a blueprint for tackling interpersonal issues in the manner of a true steward, who encounters every problem starting from the same place: What would my Master want?

It’s a question we should be asking ourselves every time we, too, encounter a problem — especially problems relating to other people. What is the truth in this situation, and how would God have me communicate it? How could I handle this in a way that is worthy of the name of my Master?

In Acts, we see a lot of characteristics of everyday stewardship. We see the Apostles mindfully acknowledge the lack of peace that is posed by problems like false teachings, this Gospel’s problem du jour. They prayerfully confront the obstacles to salvation posed by these issues. Always, always, always, their main objective is to reveal the will of God, remaining committed to the truth while helping newcomers find avenues to salvation.

Maybe I’m just saying it because it’s my idea — but it sounds like a conference we could all use.

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS