On Christian Leadership

Christian leadership transcends church-based contexts.  Leaders inspire and motivate, striving to elevate their organization to sustained excellence.  While some are “leaders” due to appointment based upon arbitrary criteria, true leaders take initiative. They proactively seek opportunities to lead others towards holiness and obedience to the Word.  They influence people, bringing them in line with God’s mission by using skills honed through previous leadership experiences in settings both sacred and secular.

Three characteristics separate healthy leaders from toxic:  motivation, agenda, and character. Motivation is the reason behind the behavior.  At issue in Matthew 18:1 is the motive to be the “greatest.”  Is it desire for prestige?  A healthy leader humbly serves others without seeking personal gain, leading their organization using many strategies available.  The agenda is merely what the leader wishes to accomplish.  It is the direction in which they want to move and the plan to get there.  Character describes a person’s qualities, both good and bad, reflecting who he or she is as a person.  A person of “Godly Character” possesses those qualities identified of the Godhead or prescribed by God, essential to leadership.

Christians in leadership positions are bound by mandate to always lead in a “Christian manner,” exercising authority under submission of Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  They must remember that they lead PEOPLE and should always do so in a way that uplifts, inspires, and motivates while advancing the Kingdom of God.