Journeys to Significance: Charting a Leadership Course from the Life of Paul

"Multitudes of people start well, but only a third of a hundred or so Biblical characters finished well. Neil Cole gives us encouragement and much–needed advice for a life of greater significance and satisfaction as we increase in maturity."
Bob Buford, author, Halftime and Finishing Well; founder, Leadership Network

"Neil Cole, using the metaphor of journeys, focuses on five important development phases of the apostle Paul′s timeline. The strengths of this work, apart from the good overview of Paul′s life and ministry, are the post–chapter sections dealing with lessons first observations from Paul′s life and then often valuable personal lessons from the author′s life. Neil gives the best interpretation of Paul′s progress of ministry breakthrough insights that I have seen. This interpretive biography of Paul is a valuable resource for a leader who wants to pursue the Leadership Mandate (Hebrews 13:7,8) and learn from Paul′s examples."
Dr. J. Robert Clinton, professor of leadership, School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary

"Neil′s coaching of thousands of leaders through the years helps him know exactly what to look for and how to apply it in the lives of leaders. No matter what life/ministry phase you are in, you will find insights here that help you better understand how you are being shaped for your leadership assignment."
Reggie McNeal, author, Missional Renaissance, The Present Future, A Work of Heart, and Practicing Greatness

"To all the wanna–be revolutionaries still cocooned in fear, past failures, and forgotten dreams, this book is for you! As an expert in leadership both prophetically and practically, Neil will take you somewhere you really want to go... into a life of street–level influence ... the place God really needs leaders."
Hugh Halter, author, The Tangible Kingdom, AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church, and Sacrilegious Disciple

About Leadership Network ix

Preface and Acknowledgments xi

Introduction: Life Is a Series of Adventurous Journeys xix

PART ONE BEGINNINGS 3

1. Born to a Destiny: The Fingerprints of God on the Early Years 5

2. New Life: A Sharp Detour onto a Straight Street 19

PART TWO MATURING IN MINISTRY AND LIFE 45

3. The First Journey: "For This I Was Born" 47

4. The Second Journey: Learning Can Be a Pain 65

PART THREE CONVERGENCE AND AFTERGLOW 93

5. The Third Journey: Convergence in Ephesus 95

6. The Fourth Journey: All Roads Lead to Rome 113

Conclusion: The Final Journey: Infl uence Beyond the Grave 133

Appendix 1: An Estimated Chronology for the Journeys of Paul 143

Appendix 2: What Went Wrong with the Jerusalem Church? 147

Notes 151

The Author 165

Scripture Index 167

Subject Index 171

Neil Cole is an experienced and innovative church planter and pastor. He is the founder of the Awakening Chapels, which are reaching young postmodern people in urban settings, and a founder and executive director of Church Multiplication Associates. He is the author of several books including Organic Church and Church 3.0, both from Jossey–Bass.
Neil blogs at www.cole–slaw.blogspot.com.

Leadership Network, a division of OneHundredX, seeks to accelerate the impact of 100X leaders. Since 1996, Leadership Network Publications have presented thoroughly researched and practical concepts from leading thinkers, practitioners, and pioneering churches. www.leadnet.org.