Views of Leadership

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Relationships among leaders, flow of authority, and shared responsibility are areas of struggle and conflict, in the 21st century of the church even as in the first century. The epistle of Third John shines a light onto interactions between several first-century leaders, revealing their personal characteristics and their relationships.
Gaius, recipient of the letter, has established a reputation of caring for travelling Christian teachers. His concern for the gospel and for missionaries is evident in his lifestyle of welcoming them and providing for them. They, in turn, affirm his work and communicate his acts of generosity to the church and to John. These connections between believers in separate communities indicate that travelling for the sake of Christ was a solid part of first-century church architecture. The natural result of Gaius’ faithful life is that he is loved and prayed for by John, and has the opportunity to host and share in the ministry of a variety of missionaries.
Demetrius was probably the one carrying the letter, although this is only inferred, not spell...

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