狼友阁

The fall semester at 狼友阁 has been full of activity 鈥� from the Schaeffer Conference to an inspiring visit from Paul McNulty, Executive-in-Residence for the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership. As part of his time on campus, McNulty met with students, lectured in classes, and engaged local leaders in discussions about faith in the public square. His week concluded with a chapel address that reminded the 狼友阁 community what godly leadership truly looks like.

McNulty, who served as the 9th president of Grove City College and formerly as the U.S. Deputy Attorney General, drew deeply from his years in public service and education. His message, 鈥淟eadership Lessons from the Field,鈥� reflected a leader who has walked faithfully through both public responsibility and personal conviction. He began with Psalm 86:8鈥�11 (NASB), where David prays, 鈥淭each me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.鈥�

McNulty invited listeners to see these verses as a framework for leadership 鈥� a way to unite one鈥檚 purpose with God鈥檚 own character. Leadership, he said, begins not with ambition or skill, but with surrender: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a prayer about forming the right habits rather than just making the right moves.鈥�

A Theology of Leadership

Throughout his message, McNulty emphasized that every follower of Christ is called to lead in some capacity 鈥� whether in families, classrooms, workplaces, or communities. Leadership, he explained, is not reserved for those with titles, but for all who bear the image of God. Because we were created in His likeness, the way we lead is an expression of His design.

He connected this truth to the Westminster Confession of Faith, which describes humanity as being created 鈥渨ith knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness.鈥� That vision, McNulty suggested, provides a theological foundation for leadership. When we understand that we are made in God鈥檚 image, our calling becomes clear: to reflect His wisdom, justice, mercy, and love in every decision we make.

This understanding transforms leadership from a pursuit of success into an act of stewardship. It moves the focus from results to relationship 鈥� from performing tasks to forming character. As McNulty explained, 鈥淲e are all image-bearers. If we want to know how we should lead, we must first look to who God is.鈥�

Integrity and Love in Practice

To make this theology tangible, McNulty highlighted two attributes that mark godly leadership: integrity and love.

Integrity, he said, is the natural outflow of God鈥檚 faithfulness. It means living and leading in a way where our actions align with our words 鈥� where promises are kept and truth is honored. Drawing from Psalm 86:15 (NASB) 鈥� 鈥淏ut You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth鈥� 鈥� he reminded the audience that God Himself models integrity. When leaders reflect that same consistency of word and action, they cultivate trust and credibility rooted not in personality, but in faithfulness.

The second mark, love, is the heartbeat of all Christian leadership. From 1 John 4:7鈥�12 (NASB), McNulty described how the love of God defines not only our relationship with Him, but with those we lead. To love as God loves means to see people as image-bearers 鈥� to care, listen, and serve rather than command or control. In a culture that often confuses leadership with power, McNulty鈥檚 reminder was countercultural and convicting: love is the greatest mark of influence.

Leadership Formed in Worship

Near the close of his talk, McNulty invited the 狼友阁 community to join him in a simple refrain: 鈥淭each me Your way.鈥� As he named God鈥檚 attributes 鈥� truth, wisdom, goodness, compassion 鈥� students responded together, 鈥淭each me Your way.鈥�

That moment captured the essence of his message: leadership begins in worship. When our hearts are aligned with God鈥檚 truth, our leadership flows from humility, service, and reverence.

McNulty concluded with a challenge and a blessing. Leadership, he said, is not a title to achieve but a calling to embody. The training of leadership begins the moment we ask God to shape our hearts and continues as we follow His example of faithfulness and love.

A Call to Reflect and Respond

As the Brock-Barnes Center continues its mission to equip and inspire the next generation of Christ-centered leaders, McNulty鈥檚 message serves as a reminder that leadership is ultimately an act of formation 鈥� of heart, mind, and character.

Each of us is invited to join David鈥檚 ancient prayer:

鈥淭each me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth.鈥�

In classrooms, workplaces, and communities, may we live out this prayer daily 鈥� leading with integrity, guided by love, and grounded in worship.