In Search of Timothy: Traits of Great Supportive
Ministers
By Tony Cooke
God the Father and Jesus are perfect
in every way. Yet, both encountered problems in their leadership. Were their
problems the result of poor leadership or poor follower-ship? The reality: Even
great leaders cannot achieve optimum results without good follower-ship.
When
Leaders Lack Support
Pastors often feel pressure because they
do not have enough help. This problem is not new. Moses complained to the Lord:
“I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy
for me” (Numbers 11:14).1
Paul was a great leader, but he did
not always have the help he needed. Writing to Timothy, he said, “For I have no
one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their
own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:20,21).
Even great leaders cannot produce
great followers without cooperation. Had it been solely up to Paul, he would
have generated dozens of Timothys. Many leaders have compelling assignments
from God, but they struggle because potential helpers are consumed with seeking
their own and will not help carry the leader’s vision.
No
One Else Like Timothy
Paul needed a representative —
someone to reflect his heart. A hireling would not meet the need. This person
must genuinely care for and serve the best interests of others. Paul had only
one person available and capable of doing this — Timothy.
Paul described Timothy as
“like-minded,” a word meaning equal soul. Timothy knew and shared Paul’s
heart, values, priorities, purpose, convictions, and attitudes.
Timothy was not
self-promoting or self-willed. He had no personal agenda; this is what made him
so valuable to the apostle Paul. He wanted to serve God by helping Paul.
How
tragic that Timothy’s attitude was an exception when it should have been the
norm.
