Principles of Christian Leadership
Some leadership gurus describe leadership as being
“influence, nothing more, nothing less”. In some ways this
is true. However, I believe there is more to Christian
leadership. Christian leaders are people who are moved at
God’s pace and in God’s time to God’s place. Christian
Leadership is about taking a central role in taking people
further into God’s plans and purposes and encouraging
others into a deeper relationship and understanding of
God.
Over the years I have read a number of leadership books
and seen some of these principles in practice. Some have
been good and some not so good. In this article I want
share the five of the most important things I believe
Christian leaders should do and be, to be the most
successful leaders they can be.
1. Christian leaders need to cultivate an intimate
relationship with God
The first and most important thing Christian leaders need
to do is develop and strong and intimate relationship with
God. In an article by Gordon MacDonald he says, “the
forming of the soul that it might be a dwelling place for
God is the primary work of the Christian leader”.
Developing this intimate relationship with God through
daily prayer and reflective Bible study is vital if
Christian leaders are going to be all they can be in God.
We see that Jesus modelled this drawing away to a solitary
place to connect with His heavenly Father in prayer. In
Mark 1:35 we see that He did this alone and in Mark 6:35
he called the disciples to draw away from the pressing
crowds. As Christian leaders we need to follow Jesus
example to make sure we come aside from the business of
life and ministry to make our connection with the Father.
As we do, we find that our relationship with God grows and
we allow Him to speak to us. We can also learn from
Scripture and receive guidance on how He wants us to lead
the people we are overseeing. I believe this time alone
with God is vital for our growth, seeking direction and
for our long term survival of the pressures of ministry
brings.
2. Christian leaders need to have a servant heart
The second thing Christian leaders need to have is a
servant heart. In 1 Peter 4:10 the Bible says that “Each
one should use whatever gift he has received to serve
others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its
various forms”. At the heart of this verse is being called
to serve and we are to use what God has given us for the
benefit of others.
In Matthew chapter 20 we see the disciples we having a
discussion on who was the greatest amongst them. Jesus
enters the conversation in verses 26 and 27 and says,
“…Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your
servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must
become your slave”. In this short statement Jesus turned
their views of leadership and greatness completely upside
down. The Gentile rulers of the day lorded their power and
authority over the people and treated them harshly. Jesus
told His followers they need to live different and that
greatness comes not from being served, but by being a
servant to others.
3. Christian leaders need to be shepherds of God’s
people
I believe as Christian leaders one of our prime objectives
should be to love and care for people under our ministry.
The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:2 that Christian leaders
should, “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you.
Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you
will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve
God”. This verse tells those in leadership to watch over
those in their care like a shepherd watches over his
flock.
In John chapter 10 Jesus talks about the role a shepherd
plays in caring for his sheep. He says that they provide
food, water and protection and if one strays the shepherd
goes out to look for the lost sheep and brings it back to
pasture. As a result of this care and protection the sheep
trust and listen to the shepherd’s voice. Our heartbeat as
Christian leaders should be to provide love, care and a
safe place where people can grow in their faith and
service to God.
4. Christian leaders need to live with character and
integrity
One of the keys to successful long Christian leadership is
the desire to live with character and integrity. In 1
Timothy 3:8-12 and Titus 1:5-9 it lists 24 characteristics
that should be seen in Christian leadership. Some of these
include being of good behaviour, not greedy for money, not
given to excessive drinking, not quick tempered, but being
self controlled, a responsible steward, one that holds
fast to the Word of God and has a good reputation outside
the church. It tells us that these qualities should be
evident in the lives of those who are called to Christian
leadership. In saying this though, it does not say that
one has to be perfect to be in Christian leadership. That
is not possible as we are all human and fall short at
times. However, it is saying that these things must be
evident most of the time.
I firmly believe that as Christian leaders we need to have
this same commitment to living with character and
integrity the Bible talks about.
We need to have a good testimony both in and outside the
church and before God and man. Billy Graham put it
perfectly when he said “If I were ever to do anything
dishonouring to Christ, I would rather He take me home to
heaven before I did it”.
5. Christian leaders need to be committed to making
disciples
The last words of Christ before returning to heaven are
recorded in Matthew chapter 28:19-20. It says, “Therefore,
go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have
given you”. This verse is a clear command to reach people
with the love and saving message of Jesus and to teach
them how to follow Jesus and His teachings.
As Christian leaders I believe the core of what we do is
to love God, love people and to make disciples. We need to
focus our energies on loving and bringing people into the
Kingdom and teaching them how to continue to grow in their
faith and service of God. The early church understood this
and as a result many thousands of people came to faith in
a short time. In Acts chapter 2:42 we see that, “All the
believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching,
and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the
Lord’s Supper), and to prayer”. In committing themselves
to these things, the early church members were able to
grow to maturity and be sent out in their community to
reach others for Christ.
Summary
In this article I have shared the things that I believe
are vital for those in Christian leadership. I believe
that the foundation of Christian leadership is the forming
an intimate relationship with God by regular prayer and
disciplined Bible study. As we do these things we will
grow and change and are able to start
to see the world through God’s eyes. This then
allows us to move out into the world with a servant heart
and the attitude of a shepherd to love and care for those
entrusted to us. As we do these things we need to live
with an attitude of integrity and humility before God,
while resolutely playing our part in fulfilling the Great
Commission.
By Dave Quinn
Founder of PASSION Australia
