Want to Be A Leader? Follow The Best Example In Leadership
Word-Of-The-Day: ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.’ (Philippians 2:3); ‘(2) Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; (3) not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.’ (1 Peter 5:3); ‘(25) Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. (26) Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.’” (Matthew 20:25-26)
Having been a manager over people for most of my career, there are a plethora of leadership courses that are available for one to learn how to lead people. There are plenty of tips on setting up agendas, improving communication channels, and the types of leadership styles one may need to use in particular situations. There are many ‘gurus’ of leadership and entire training organizations are out there solely for the purposes of teaching and defining ‘leadership’. The US military academies, which educate and produce our nation’s officer corps, were created specifically to make leaders who could perform in the most critical and stressful moments.
The secular man attempts to create leaders who use a compilation of five recognized leadership ‘powers’ (coercive, rewarding, legitimate, expert, and referent). The use of force or enticement to motivate those who are unwilling, the use of position to tell subordinates what to do, using knowledge or respect to have people come to seek guidance; these are all ways the secular man both leads and follows. These often corrupt if not checked, and not all can be led by rewards or threats, and knowledge held onto is soon knowledge lost if not passed along.
As in all things, however, we already have the best leadership manual available, written by the greatest leader of all time, the Bible – written by Jesus Himself. Jesus leads us, His disciples, not by power but by example; He in His humility led by serving others, not taking from His disciples but giving all for them. He is a ‘people first’ leader, and never took anything from us, His people, except for our punishment as He voluntarily went to the cross.
The question, ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ is more than behavioral, it is also a leadership philosophy. It is also incumbent on all who are Christians to understand every Christian is also a leader, to be that ‘leader-by-example’ to show others how Christians are to act, to help others with their needs – including providing them the Gospel of Christ. It is not only the ‘job’ of the Pastor, or an Elder, to show and teach others the Gospel, or of Jesus’ love but it is for all who follow Him to share. Whether you want to lead or find yourself in the situation where you need to lead, follow the advice and the examples of the CEO of All Things, Jesus, that is written in the Bible!
