The Leader & the Power of Capacity
Innate Potential for Growth
One dictionary defines capacity as the innate potential for growth and accomplishment. In the realm of leadership, capacity is essential. It is a key ingredient for effective leadership and a thriving organization—whether in a union hall, a church, a family, or a family business. Without capacity, stagnation sets in. And when others depend on a leader’s capacity, its absence breeds deep frustration.
Meeting John Mark
John Mark is a historical figure whose story unfolds in the New Testament. He was a man whose early lack of capacity eventually gave way to a remarkable level of maturity and influence—one that has shaped generations. Consider the following.
We first encounter Mark in the Gospel that bears his name, though he never identifies himself directly. Instead, our introduction comes through a rather vulnerable moment in the Garden of Gethsemane. When Jesus was arrested on the night of His betrayal, chaos erupted and the disciples fled.
Amid the turmoil was a young man who had followed Jesus into the garden. I’m personally convinced this young man was John Mark and Jesus and His disciples had shared the Passover meal at the home of Mark’s mother, Mary (see Acts 12:12 for context). If so, then the Gospel of Mark offers a brief, revealing glimpse of its author:
“And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.” (Mark 14:51–52)
It’s an unfortunate introduction, to say the least.
We next encounter him in Acts 12, where he is again mentioned in connection with his mother’s house—described as a hub for the early Christian community. When the Apostle Peter was miraculously released from prison, he went straight to their home.
“He went to the house of Mary, the mother of John (whose other name was Mark), where many were gathered together and were praying.” (Acts 12:12)
From the context, we learn that Mark’s family was likely wealthy enough to have servants (see Acts 12:13) and a house large enough to host many people.
Possibilities and Letdown
Mark’s promise did not go unnoticed. Leaders like Barnabas—and later Paul—saw potential in him. So, when Barnabas and Paul embarked on their first missionary journey, they brought Mark along, hoping both to invest in him and benefit from what he could offer.
But their hopes were disappointed. Mark lacked the capacity to complete the mission and abandoned the journey, returning home (Acts 13:13–14). Paul wouldn’t forget it.
Later, when Barnabas wanted to give Mark another chance and include him in a subsequent mission, Paul refused.
“Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.” (Acts 15:38–39)
As a result, Barnabas took Mark and went one way, while Paul took Silas and went another.
What a Turnaround
Then, for many years, we hear nothing about Mark. Until, quite surprisingly, Paul references him positively in letters written from prison in Rome (see Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24). Mark had clearly reconnected with Paul and earned back his trust. His presence with Paul in prison suggests his companionship was meaningful—perhaps even vital.
By the end of Paul’s life, we read this remarkable line:
“Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11)
What a turnaround—from being rejected by Paul to being described as "very useful" in his final days.
Mark was also deeply influenced by the Apostle Peter. In 1 Peter 5:13, Peter affectionately calls him “my son,” which speaks to their close relationship. Early tradition suggests that much of the content in the Gospel of Mark comes from Peter’s eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life. One can imagine Peter recounting stories—whether in public teaching or private conversation—and Mark absorbing them deeply. The detail and intensity of his Gospel imply a long and close companionship.
Eventually, Peter and Paul were both executed in Rome under Nero, leaving a leadership vacuum. Who would guide the terrified and persecuted church in their absence? Tradition tells us the Roman Christians turned to Mark. Amid intense suffering, they needed reassurance. In essence, they were asking: Is this Jesus really worth dying for? Mark’s Gospel is his bold answer—and millions have been strengthened by it.
A Formula for Transformation
How did the once-fearful young man grow into someone of such impact? What ingredients fueled his transformation? How did he develop the capacity that changed the world?
As I reflect on Mark’s story, six key elements emerge. Together, they form a kind of formula:
Time + Tough Stuff + Teachability + the Right Teachers + Tenacity + a Probing Test = Capacity
Time – As many as 20 years passed from his early failure to when he wrote his Gospel.
Tough Stuff – Mark had to face the shame of abandoning a mission, being rejected by Paul, and contributing to a rift between leaders.
Teachability – Mark humbled himself enough to learn from Barnabas, Paul, and Peter.
The Right Teachers – Few could ask for better mentors than these three spiritual giants.
Tenacity – His fast-paced, action-oriented Gospel reflects the grit he developed over time.
A Probing Test – Being asked to shepherd a suffering church and write a Gospel in the face of persecution proved the depth of his capacity.
A Personal Challenge
Time + tough stuff + teachability + the right teachers + tenacity + a probing test—these are the building blocks of capacity.
It’s worth asking: Are these present in your life? In the lives of those you lead? If not, they may well be the six things you most need to embrace.
