From Mentorship to Mastery: Investigating Paul's method for lay leadership formation in the early church

e-ISSN 2614-3135 p-ISSN 2615-739X (Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen) Vol 10, No. 1, April 2024 (206-216) https://www.sttpb.ac.id/e-journal/index.php/kurios From Mentorship to Mastery: Investigating Paul's method for lay leadership formation in the early church Rannu Sanderan1 , Deflit Dujerslaim Lilo2 , Naomi Sampe3 Fak. Teologi & Sosiologi Kristen, Institut Agama Kristen Negeri Toraja, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia Correspondence: DOI: https://doi.org/10.30995/ kur.v10i1.751 Article History Submitted: Aug. 12, 2023 Reviewed: Oct. 19, 2023 Accepted: April 25, 2024 Keywords: Christian leadership; church developing; early church; lay leadership; mentoring; regeneration Copyright: ©2024, Authors. License: Abstract: The article aims to shed light on regenerating the laity into church-serving lay leaders. This article constitutes a literature review employing a qualitative approach to explore 2 Timothy 2:2, focusing on trustworthy, capable, and committed lay leadership as successors of truth. This analysis involves reading and interpreting the text 2 Timothy 2:2 while referencing relevant literature on Christian leadership and applying Paul's model of lay leadership to Timothy, aiming to contribute to developing a pattern of lay leadership for contemporary churches. This article examines the concept of lay leadership, emphasizing the leader's ability to inspire and motivate lay individuals to develop their potential and become future leaders. It underscores the importance of setting a positive example, building trust, and empowering followers to achieve change. This article employs this theory to explain how Paul mentored Timothy into a competent congregational leader for the Lord. According to the findings, Paul used a laity leadership approach to prepare Timothy for leadership in the early Christian church. He demonstrated leadership by emulating the life and attitude of the Lord Jesus. He instructed him on faith, duty, and ministry, entrusted him with ministry and leadership responsibilities, and encouraged him to be independent and mature in his leadership. Paul developed Timothy's leadership potential and prepared him to lead the Lord's congregation through this process. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of transformative leadership in developing lay leaders who can effectively serve the church. Introduction The role of the servant of God and the lay's participation influence the church's growth and the evolution of ministry within the church. As the congregation's leader, the servant of God must lead his congregation well, especially in moving his congregation to serve in the church. However, not many lay people involve themselves in church services. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a regeneration process for the laity in order to emerge lay leaders who serve in the church.1 In practice, there is a significant challenge regarding active lay participa- Silvester Manca, “Kepemimpinan Pastoral Bercorak Pastor-Sentris Dalam Perspektif Teologi,” Jurnal Alternatif Wacana Ilmiah Interkultural 10, no. 1 (2020): 13–26, https://jurnal.stipassirilus.ac.id/index.php/ja/article/view/40; Ambrosia Ndepi, Roberta Sestriani, and Marioes Eduardus Kakok Koerniantono, “Partisipasi Kaum Awam Dalam Bidang Pewartaan,” In Theos: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Theologi 1, no. 11 (2021): 348–51, https://journal.actual-insight.com/index.php/intheos/article/view/1203; Yuliana Eni Yuliati, “Partisipasi Kaum Mudah Dalam Pengembangan Komunitas Basis Gerejani Diera Digital:-,” 1 KURIOS, Copyright ©2024, Authors | 206 R. Sanderan et al., From Mentorship to Mastery... tion in church services and leadership roles, which underscores a contemporary problem within many religious communities. This issue stems from various factors that have become increasingly prevalent in today's society. Previous research papers have researched the development of lay leaders in the church. For example, literature research from Ayub Rusmanto and Bambang Dewandaru explains that the laity's role is essential outside and inside the church in church services.2 Therefore, the lay needs to be involved and developed to support the ministry more effectively. Another piece of research by Rio Marbun, David Manete, and Sudi Hasudungan.3 In their research, these three authors argue that since the ministry of pastors is more focused in urban areas than in rural areas, members of the congregation who are classified as lay people in rural areas need to be guided and mentored to be able to answer the challenges of ministry in rural churches. Furthermore, research from Elliya Dece emphasizes that a church pastor has a significant role and influence in motivating the laity to contribute tangibly to the task of service in the congregation.4 Then, in further research, Ricardo Freedom Nanuru states that within the church, we do not endorse the concept of "idolizing church leaders." Therefore, it is imperative never to regard leaders as saints beyond criticism or reproach. This study concludes that every leader-shepherd will continually strive to self-improve and enhance the leadership system for the betterment of the future.5 After examining the four previous studies, this article will focus on conducting specific research on the development of lay leaders in the church. The perspective will primarily revolve around the books of the New Testament, with a particular emphasis on Timothy.. Although the methods used in this paper are similar to those used in the three previous articles, this article on Christian leadership assignments focuses on research on the pattern of leadership that Paul taught Timothy. After his conversion, Paul set an example for his mentee. Paul imitated the attitude or life of the Lord Jesus. He was able to set an example for the early church. Paul followed what God had taught so that from the life of the Lord Jesus, Paul imitated his leadership. Paul's leadership entirely depended on the power of God. He believes that God will always guide him so that in the service he does, he can be an example for his people. Paul was one of the most influential church leaders in early Christianity. As a Leader, Paul makes the people around him become leaders or at least become people who impact the ministry of preaching Jurnal Pelayanan Pastoral 4, no. 2 (2023): 97–104, https://e-journal.stp-ipi.ac.id/index.php/jpp/article/view/440; Sirilus Yekrianus, “Panggilan Dan Perutusan Kaum Awam Katolik Dalam Membangun Gereja Di Tengah Merebaknya Disrupsi Digital,” Religi: Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama 18, no. 1 (2022): 65–81, https://ejournal.uinsuka.ac.id/ushuluddin/Religi/article/view/3698; Chen Siauw Siauw, “Pemahaman Misi Lintas Budaya Melalui ‘Kursus Kairos’ Bagi Kaum Awam Di Persekutuan Doa Kasih Ilahi Malang,” JURNAL Comunità Servizio: Jurnal Terkait Kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, Terkhusus Bidang Teknologi, Kewirausahaan Dan Sosial Kemasyarakatan 5, no. 2 (2023): 1360–67, http://ejournal.uki.ac.id/inde (...truncated)