Over the years of writing this blog, the more I have written about leadership and tied it to the church the more critics would email to say I shouldn’t.
I shouldn’t tie leadership and the church together so closely.
People have said I focus too much on leadership and not enough on Jesus. (They likely never heard me preach. I mention Him a lot.) People have said I am too business-like. I once got criticized as a pastor for using the word “revenue” instead of “tithes and offerings” when mentioning church finances. Some of my terminology may come from spending over 20 years in the business world prior to vocational ministry.
But I see leadership (and business principles) as needing to overlap more not less in the church.
For some, however, leadership in the church seems almost blasphemous. Like a person called into vocational ministry, especially when I was a full-time pastor and the word “leader” shouldn’t go together. Like I should have discounted the years of leadership experience and schooling God blessed me with and just focused on pastoring people. Because, again, some don’t think the two can coexist. Good pastors can’t be good leaders. Right?
Those critics would often say Jesus is the church’s leader.
To which I agree. Completely.
They say no one can claim expertise as a leader.
I agree again. (especially in the context of me).
Some even say we are never called to be leaders in the Bible.
Now I disagree.
Of course, we are to be servant leaders. But I disagree that leadership is not a Bible concept. In fact, I see leadership within the people of God throughout the Bible.
We find leadership happening throughout the Scriptures. You can’t miss it.
The Holy Spirit of God does the real work of the church. No argument from me on that, but God enabled men and women to lead.
From the creation of man, God gave Adam tremendous responsibility. God seemed to delegate leading the Garden to Adam. He couldn’t have “messed it up” had he not had some authority to make decisions.
And so many more examples.
Moses was a leader.
Deborah was a leader.
David was a leader.
Ruth was a leader.
Joseph was a leader.
Priscilla was a leader.
Gideon was a leader.
Nehemiah was a leader.
Phoebe was a leader.
Paul was a leader.
Esther was a leader.
Joshua was a leader.
Men and women God called to lead — sometimes reluctantly at first — humbled themselves before God knowing that without Him they could do nothing. They stepped out where no one else had gone before and guided people to a God-ordained victory. They used their influence to move people to a greater reality than they could have imagined.
That’s leadership by anyone’s definition.
Jesus’ instructions were to make disciples — not wait on God to make them.
We are to do something. Lead.
Pastor, don’t be afraid to call yourself a leader — or to lead! The title is important. Don’t be afraid of good leadership. Strive to lead well. Always remain humble. Listen more than you speak. Build others up as you lead. Serve far more than you command. (That’s what most of this blog is about and the Bible is full of examples of these characteristics and teachings as well – and ways not to lead.) But LEAD!
And every time you lead you’ll find some critics. All leaders do.
Ron
In my experience with having been ordained – in “Church Learship.”
And with the “Title/Position” of *Today’s* pastor/leader/reverend…
“Titles” become “Idols” ………….. “Idols” of the heart – Ezek14:1-11 KJV
“Pastors” become “Masters”…….. A big No, No. Mat 23:10 KJV, Mat 6:24 KJV
“Leaders” become “Deceivers”….. Isa 3:12 KJV, Isa 9:16 KJV, Mat 15:14 KJV
“Church Leaders” become “Deception Breeders.” Isa 3:12 KJV, Isa 9:16 KJV
And NOT one of His Disciples called themself, or had the “Title,” pastor/leader/reverend…
And NOT one of His Disciples were, Hired or Fired, as a pastor/leader/reverend.
Jer 50:6
“My people” hath been “lost sheep:”
**THEIR shepherds** have caused them to *go astray,*
1 Pet 2:25
For ye were as *sheep going astray;*
BUT are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
What is popular is NOT always “Truth.”
What is “Truth” is NOT always popular.
I’m Blest… I’ve returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of my soul…
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
Thanks.
Ron
Just something to think about when you write…
“I’m not looking to **the Bible** to give me a definition either.”
“Paul was a leader…”
Because in the Bible – Jesus taught His Disciples NOT to be called “Leaders.”
For you have “ONE” leader – the Christ. Mat 23:10 NASB – And NONE did… 😉
And Paul never called himself leader – Paul called himself "Servant."
Mat 23:10-12 NASB – New American Standard Bible.
Do NOT be called leaders; for “ONE” is your Leader, that is, Christ.
But the greatest among you shall be your “Servant.”
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled;
and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Mat 23:10-12 TM – The Message.
And don't let people maneuver you into taking charge of them.
There is only “ONE” Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.
**Do you want to stand out? – Then step down. – Be a servant.**
If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you.
But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Jesus instructed **His Disciples** NOT to be called **Leaders** and NONE did.
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,
Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ,
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God,
Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God
2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant
**His Disciples** all called themselves **Servants.**
None called themselves “Leaders.” None? None.
None called themselves “Servant-Leader.” None.
If Jesus instructed **His Disciples** NOT to call themselves “leaders?”
And someone calls them self a “leader?”
Opposing the teachig of Jesus?
Are they one of “His Disciples?"
Why isn’t what Jesus said important? 😉
And NOT one of His Disciples called themself – pastor, or shepherd.
Seems His Disciples believed Jesus when He taught His Disciples there is “ONE” Shepherd…
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall **hear MY voice;**
and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
John 10:16
One Voice – One Fold – One Shepherd – One Leader
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
"And if you want to be first make yourself the servant of all."
– Matthew 20,27
I totally agree. Preached a whole sermon about that verse recently. Adds to my post. As leaders, as teachers, as preschool workers, as ushers, as door greeters, as custodians — we are all part of the body and we must be servants of all. Thank you.
Paul's attitude of follow me as I follow Christ is a great example of leadership!!
In regards to the critics saying leadership isn't in scripture, a saying my dad used often comes to mind… "Let it go in one ear, out the other and into the trash can!"
Scripture is the greatest of leadership books.
Yes! Thank you.
Everyone has some leadership capabilities within them because God created us to follow Him which in turn allows others to see Christ reflected in us. When others see Christ in us, the Holy Spirit can lead them to want to follow in our footsteps, intentionally & unintentionally. In essence, we all should be leaders if Christ is in us but the best leaders know that true leadership is best modeled after Jesus Christ who humbly served & gave Himself up for others. A true leader is willing to sacrifice it all for the betterment of their family, their employees, their company, their co-workers, their teammates, for everyone. A real leader doesn't want the glory, he gives it to others! Some people are given more opportunities to lead than others. The question becomes, not how much opportunity we've been given but what are we doing with those leadership opportunities Christ has given to each of us. May we all continue to lead by following the ways of Jesus! Great article Ron & thanks for your Christlike leadership!
Thanks Greg! Good words.
Great comments Ron. I would also admonish pastors to not be afraid of leadership abilities that exist in the congregation. Instead, utilize that leadership to accomplish even more than you can do alone.
-MT
Yes, absolutely! Good reminder.