Leadership #4

If we understand leadership (and I should be clear: I have been speaking of church leadership) to be the practice of helping others find their place under Christ’s headship, then the practical tools and methods employed while leading must have as their goal the growth of others towards and up into Christ. Out ultimate vision is to have those under our care all the more aware of their place under Christ. Any other aim must contribute to this primary goal. Similarly, if the leadership methods we utilize do not aid us in shepherding others to a place under Christ, then we ought to reconsider the tools we employ.

As far as the leader’s character is concerned, it’s of little wonder that Paul insists that leaders display Christlike attributes. The imitation of leaders is a regular theme in Paul’s letters (1 Cor 11.1, Phil 3.17, 1 Thess 1.6), and notice that in at least two of these passages (1 Cor and 1 Thess) the imitation of leaders is linked with the imitation of Christ. Christian leaders bring others under Christ’s leadership by means of example, so godly living is a non-negotiable!

Another outcome of Christ being the Chief Shepherd is that it leaves no place for egotism. We point others to another and we encourage them to draw close to him. We do not point to ourselves nor to any charisma which we might be endowed with. It’s so easy for leaders to abuse the adoration which can flow their way; to foster a dependence within the congregation on their own particular set of abilities. Because Christ is the Chief Shepherd we should take pains to lead in ways which minimise the potential for others to develop unhealthy dependencies. Positively this means encouraging wide ranging networks where individuals are encouraged and held accountable through a variety of people. This is not to denigrate the importance of individual leadership roles, but it does place such roles within a wider communal context.

When it comes to preaching and teaching, a Christ-oriented model of leadership informs the way we view that task too…


5 points to name the leader who wore this suit