Question: Dear Dr. Roane, bookstore shelves and preacher's libraries are stacked with all kinds of books on leadership--Christian and otherwise. What in fact is Christian leadership? Will you please tell me? J.D.
Answer: That's an excellent question, J.D. So, let me begin by saying that Christian leadership is first of all biblical leadership. For that we must take a close look at what the Bible says about leadership and mentoring.
Biblical[i] Basis for Leadership
Paul recognized that Christian leadership requires more than just good common sense, we need the mind of the Lord.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2: 14 16)
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)
A Foundational Principle of Christian Leadership
“Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ … [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Phil. 2:5,6,7 (KJV)
Key Considerations
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
A Common Mindset (v-2)
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
v Share Common Affections
o “Having the same love”—set your affections on God!
v One In Spirit
o “Being one in spirit”—having the spirit of Christ.
v A Common Mindset
o “Being of one mind”—do just talk the talk, but walk the walk.
Work Selflessly (V-3)
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
v Forsake Worldly Ambition (v-3)
o Super-Church Mentality
o Lear Jets
o Mercedes Benz
v Forsake Conceit (v-3)
o You’re not the King, you are a servant
o Example: Requesting a limousine to and from Airport
Humility Required (v-4)
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
v He was a mentor
He humbled himself. Humility takes effort.
(4:5) “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”
v Invest in Others
“In humility value others above yourselves”
v Focus of You Ministry on Others
“Not looking to your own interest, but each of you to the interest of others.”
v Consider All Ministry A Team Effort
“Not looking to your own interest, but each of you to the interest of others.”
In other words, serve one another.
Mind of Christ (v-5)
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
v Leadership Is Relational Cooperation Necessary “relationships with one another”—the is no room for a loner in God’s work. We are all in it together.
v To Lead You Must Have the Mind Of Christ.
v Cooperation must be Godly “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”—again, these instructions rule out carnality and selfishness.” “What’s in it for me?” should never be the question.
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage …
v There was no arrogance in Christ. He had work to perform and he was willing to get his hands dirty doing it. Some pastors are too proud for their own good.
Servanthood Leadership (v-7)
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness ….
v Service was leadership.
o He became a servant willingly. (v-7)
o Showing is the best mentoring tool. (v-7)
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
v Notice: He humbled himself. Perhaps, you have heard someone say, “Oh, he/or she is just naturally a humble person. That is hardly ever the case. Christ humbled himself ~ that was an act of His will.
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
v Notice the words “Therefore God exalted him.” God waits for us to show the initiative. So, if you want success in the ministry, humble yourself. Then you will be promoted. You will be elevated in the Kingdom of God. We’re not talking about titles here. Notice every knee is not bowing to a title or a position. They bow to a name that earned the title of Lord to the glory of God the Father.
v Notice the progression also: First he mentions that they bow in Heaven. Authority that does not affect Heaven does not affect the earth either.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling …
v Leaders Work Under Authority
o “as you have always obeyed”
v Leaders Will Work Anonymously Without Recognition
o “[work] in my absence”
v Leaders Work Because They Are “Saved” Not for Their Salvation
o “continue to work out your salvation
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
v Leaders Are Not Self-Assertive
o “for it is God who works in you to will and to act.”
v Leaders Work Under Orders
o “in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
v Leaders Don’t Complain (v.14)
o “Do everything without grumbling”
v Leaders Don’t Argue
o “Do everything without arguing”
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.
v Leaders Lead for A Purpose
o “so that [they] may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”
And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)
In Conclusion
Jesus explicitly warned His disciples against engaging in the quest for position and titles (Matthew 23:8–12). He tells us, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25–28).
Trust this helps.
JimR_/
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