Book Excerpt

The Making of a Leader

by J. Robert Clinton

It takes grace and maturity for a man like Barnabas not only to allow such a leadership switch but to work to make it successful. Barnabas's relational insight was that Paul didn't need a mentoring, subordinate, or co-equal relationship; he needed to lead. It took a big man to be willing to step down and become the follower. Barnabas recognized spiritual authority, recognized a leader with capacity beyond his own, and took the necessary steps to encourage that leader in his calling. Barnabas bridged the authority problem, learned to relate to Paul in a different way, and thus entered the Christian record book as one who significantly influenced missionary history.

Taken from The Making of a Leader, a book that studies the lives of historical, biblical, and contemporary leaders.