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Following in the footprints of Jesus

WHAT IS BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP

We believe that Biblical leadership is about being an example that others can follow so that they can be like Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, the apostle Paul taught, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" and in Ephesians 5:1 he urged the church to, "be... followers of God, as dear children."

Leadership in God's church is not getting people to follow us because of who we are, but because of who Jesus is.

It is not about pre-eminence in the church.  That belongs to our Lord and Saviour.
It is not about the clothes we wear.  Those things are only temporal, and God looks at our hearts.
It is not listening only to our own voice and ignoring the hurts of others.  That is selfish and a violation of the very principles of ministry.
It is not about crushing the aspirations, the individuality or the self-esteem of others.  That is the behaviour of someone who does not love others at all, but only pretends to.
It is not about being in control of every activity of the church.  That denies others their rightful place in building up the church and in leading others to Christ.
And, it is not patronising or condescending.  That comes from a sense of superiority, of self-righteousness, of always being right.  As leaders of God's people, we know that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and there is none so righteous that he can afford to think of himself more highly than he ought (Romans 12:3).

Christ's pattern for leadership was empowering others to go out and build the church.  He chose twelve men who became His apostles.  He knew Peter would deny Him thrice, yet He still gave him the keys to the kingdom.  He knew Thomas had doubts in his mind, but He commissioned him to go into all the world on His behalf.

Likewise, we teach others to go out and build the church.  We know they will make mistakes but we do not crush their spirits or stop them serving by being pedantic, or by hogging all the initiatives to ourselves, or by placing impossible expectations on them that cannot be achieved.

Paul urged his brethren to follow God, "as dear children".  A loving father does not bully his children or push them to breaking point.  He nurtures them and encourages them even when they lack experience or have "made a hash of it".

Biblical leadership encourages participation, nurtures others' God-given talents and abilities and values the ideas of others.

© Bevan Collingwood 2016


RECOMMENDED READING:  TOXIC LEADERSHIP