Counter Cultural Leadership - Philemon
Philemon is one of those books that we read but we fail to often grasp fully. It is short, only one chapter, and it addresses an issue that, in modern day America, we want to stay far away from (for good reason) – a bond servant has fled his master.
It is here that we see some truly counter cultural leadership by Paul as he calls Philemon to engage in a Faithful Pursuit of Jesus.
Counter Cultural Leadership
This was a book, a letter, that was written by Paul to Philemon. Philemon was a wealthy Christian in Colossae and Jesus has transformed his life. He has started letting other followers of Jesus gather in his home to worship Jesus and at some point his bond-servant, Onesimus, has fled, possibly with stolen items, to Rome and to Paul. Paul is sending him back to Philemon with this letter in hand.
Paul wants him to accept Onesimus back, but no longer as a bond-servant but as a brother in Jesus and it seems as Paul’s mission was accomplished. How could Paul lead such a counter cultural change? This is incredibly important for us as leaders as there are more and more people who do not want to listen yet we are still called to lead against culture oftentimes. Lets see what we can learn from Paul:
1. Appealed Not Commanded (v. 8-10)
Paul made a decision. Though he had every right to COMMAND him in the name of Jesus he chose to APPEAL to him in the name of Jesus. Paul knew that what he was asking was right. This was not the issue. The issue was the way that he was going to go about it. He knew that Philemon was often a man in charge, with wealth, with status and that TELLING him instead of APPEALING to him would go nowhere. So, Paul made a choice… a pastoral choice… knowing that he could not make him do anything. He chose to appeal to his heart instead of command his mind. How would this change our leadership if we led this way?
2. Saw A Person Not A Problem (v. 9)
Paul saw Philemon as a person made in the image of Christ and bought with the blood of Christ instead of seeing him as a problem. We can see this in verse 9 when Paul says “yet for love’s sake.” You don’t love a problem, you love a person and because Paul chose to see Philemon as a person and love him he led him very differently than he would have. What if we saw people who can impact the kingdom of God instead of problems that hinder it? Would this change the way we lead?
3. Paul Made It Personal (v. 10)
Paul claimed Onesimus as his CHILD. Paul was imprisoned in Rome and he claimed Onesimus as his child when everyone else claimed him as their slave… How do you think this changed the way Onesimus saw himself? How do you think this changed the way that Philemon (who respected Paul) saw Onesimus? Everything changes when we make it personal. A good leader makes leadership personal.
4. Reminded Him Of Truth (v. 11)
In verse 11 Paul thought it important to add “(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and me.).” This is important because Paul is reminding Philemon of how Jesus transformed him and telling him that Jesus has transformed Onesimus. In a loving way Paul is saying “Jesus has transformed him now treat him like it…” But this is important because (1) the gospel of Jesus is the only thing that transforms and (2) the gospel of Jesus levels the playing field for those who think they are above others. The truth of the Jesus is that there is NO superior group. Jesus changed Onesimus.
5. Paul Had Integrity (v. 12-14)
Paul lived with integrity. He did the right thing even if it was hard and didn’t make sense. He was above reproach and knowing that Onesimus stole and fled from his master he sent him back… but see why he sent him back. He did not send him back because he wasn’t glad to keep him (v.13). He sent him back because he wanted to have the person in charges consent. He didn’t want to force his hand into doing what was right but he wanted him to WILLINGLY do it. This goes back to his appeal instead of command. Paul knew he would make the right decision so he sent him back. He wanted Philemon to grow. Growth does not come when when always make people do XYZ. This was Paul PASTORING Philemon. How would our leadership be different if we did the right thing even when it is hard? Would we gain respect?
6. Paul Raised The Bar (v. 15-16)
Too often in our leadership and in the church we lower the standard to get more people attending, serving, etc. but Jesus never lowered the standard but raised it. Jesus was concerned with quality NOT quantity. In fact, we lose respect from others when we lower the standard. This should not be in leadership or the church. Paul raised the bar. He asked Philemon not just to take him back but to take him back as a beloved brother because of his new found life in Jesus. Philemon and Onesimus both meant a lot to Paul and Paul made sure to express that. When we raise the bar, when we believe in people, people respond. People want to be believed in.
7. Paul Took Responsibility (v. 17-20)
Paul, knowing that Philemon was probably wronged by Onesimus in some way, said “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.” Paul took responsibility. This changed everything for me when my leader looked at me and said “You take the risk… I’ll take the blame.” When a leader takes responsibility and leads then people see that and respond. Paul, just like the man in the story of The Good Samaritan, took responsibility. How would this change our leadership? How can we take responsibility and be a leader?
8. Paul Expected A Lot (v. 21-22)
It is here that we see (1) why Paul sent Onesimus back, (2) Paul’s pastoral heart, and (3) Paul’s expectation. Paul was confident that he would do the right thing. Paul was confident because Philemon’s heart had been transformed by Jesus that he would obey. Paul expected a lot and even said he knew that he would do “even more that I [Paul] said.” In leadership we need to expect a lot of people. They have the same God, Savior, Holy Spirit, Scripture that we do, have been gifted by the Holy Spirit, and are just as capable of being used by God in a big way as we are. This rings true: Expect a lot, get a lot… Expect a little, get a little. How would expecting a lot of people, believing in people, change our leadership?
9. Paul Book-Ended His Leadership In Encouragement (v. 4-7 & 23-25)
Paul knew that leaders must encourage people. Before and after this loving rebuke/appeal/leadership Paul encouraged Philemon for who he was in Jesus. He showed him that he saw him for who he was – a CHILD of the KING. He told him he was encouraged by him. He said he was praying for him. He knew that in leadership people get tired of being corrected all the time without encouragement. How would and encouragement culture change our leadership?
Paul used counter cultural leadership to produce a counter cultural result… a bond-servant turned brother through the appeal of the gospel and of Jesus. He didn’t boss around… He didn’t lead hatefully… He didn’t elevate himself over him… He lead in love and as a brother. If we want to lead people counter culturally to engage Jesus in a Faithful Pursuit we must lead as Paul did.