A pastor I know was a failure by church growth standards.

Physically unimpressive, chronically ill, a mediocre speaker, he led small churches his entire career, though his tenure at each was short. He did have a talent for friendship, however.

I’m talking about the apostle Paul, of course. He shaped the direction of Christianity more than anyone except Jesus Christ, and he did it as a bivocational small-church planter.

As pastors, we want to lead large churches — larger than the ones we currently lead, at least. So we turn to church growth resources for advice. In my experience, that advice only occasionally produces the desired growth.

Our intent is pure. With Paul, we can say, “I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33). As pastors, we want a revival more than a paycheck.

How do we pursue what’s good? Paul offered a solution in the next verse: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (11:1). J. Lee Grady’s Lead Like Paul outlines 21 ways the apostle mentors Christian leaders for truly effective ministry.

I would group these 21 ways into several categories. The first is character qualities, such as humility, courage, perseverance, and love.

Specific leadership practices — presence, mentorship, empowerment (of women, especially) and racial bridge-building — are important.

Sexual purity and financial integrity are crucial. And when church hurts, we must know how to forgive.

Spiritual practices are the most common ways Paul mentors effective ministry. Grady encourages pastors to cultivate spiritual power, not just head knowledge. We need to maintain spiritual fervor (Romans 12:11) and seek the Spirit’s guidance. Prayer (including in tongues), Scripture reading, and joyful worship are necessities, especially as we engage in spiritual warfare.

As we do all these things, we must remain missional. Grady encourages pastors to develop an “apostolic spirit” to plant the gospel where it has not been heard, as well as a focus on the “one” rather than the “crowds.” The best ministry usually takes place person-to-person.

Finally, Grady reminds pastors to keep an eternal perspective. In the words of the C.T. Studd poem my grandmother often recited:

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

What’s done for Christ isn’t buildings, programs, systems, or leadership strategies. As Grady writes, “For Paul, people were not the means to accomplish his goals. The people were the goal” (emphasis added).

It takes a certain kind of person to reach others with the gospel. Paul was that person par excellence. We would do well to follow his example.

Book Reviewed
Lee Grady, Lead Like Paul: 21 Ways to Reignite Your Spiritual Fire and Expand Your Spirit-Led Influence(Minneapolis, MN: Chosen, 2026).

This article appears in the Summer 2026 issue of Influence magazine.

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