After a fall catch-up about camping, travel, and recent ministry gatherings, Michael and Andrew reflect on how God is shaping the next season of the Ephesiology Podcast. They share highlights from conversations about theological education, the emerging connection between archaeology and missiology, and Michael’s renewed work on Lead Like Paul. Revisiting the book opens up a richer picture of Paul as a relational leader, surrounded by co-laborers whose influence helped communities of faith take root and grow. Michael and Andrew also consider why leadership in the New Testament involves more than the familiar label “servant leadership,” and introduce an upcoming series exploring Christoform leadership with guests from around the world.
Keywords:
Lead Like Paul, Paul’s leadership, Christoform leadership, servant leadership, relational leadership, church planting, church planting movements, discipleship, Ephesian church, missiology, archaeology and missiology, Ephesiology Podcast
Key Takeaways
- Paul’s leadership was shaped by a wide network of relationships and co-laborers—not the work of a lone, rugged individual.
- The New Testament presents leadership as service, while also showing leaders serving in many roles, including teaching, shepherding, and evangelism.
- Describing leadership only as “servant leadership” can narrow our view of the different ways Paul and Jesus led.
- Ephesus offers a picture of a church that formed and equipped disciples who carried the movement into other communities.
- The upcoming Lead Like Paul series will bring in guests to discuss how biblical leadership is practiced in different contexts today.
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- Follow Michael: drmichaelcooper.com
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Our Podcasters
Michael is the missiologist in residence with East West where he focuses on equipping and empowering church leaders in evangelism, discipleship, leadership, and catalyzing church planting movements in the most difficult to reach places on the planet. He is the author of Ephesiology: The Study of the Ephesian Movement as well as many other books and academic articles. He has lectured at universities around the world and serves as affiliate faculty at Kairos University where he facilitates the degree programs in partnership with Ephesiology Master Classes.
Andrew is a proud husband, father and pastor who desires all to know the one true King. He is honored to serve at West Village Church in Victoria, BC. Previously, he’s ministered in Houston, Chicago, Indy, Flagstaff and Tempe in a variety of church contexts. Andrew has a BA in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University and an MA from Phoenix Seminary. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at Kairos University and is the co-host of the Ephesiology Podcast. When not at work, he’s an avid disc golfing, vinyl playing, Spider-Man following/collecting fellow. Go Pacers.
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What if leadership were less about building a personal platform and more about forming Christlike communities of co-laborers? Lead Like Paul: The Relational Ecosystem of Movement Leadership offers a fresh vision of leadership shaped by Christ, grounded in relationships, and open to the Spirit’s work. Download your ebook and explore how leaders can equip others to participate in God’s mission.
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