As Christians, our leadership starts with our ability to follow Jesus. If we can’t or won’t follow His lead, how can we then lead others?
This is not about perfection; it’s about the intent of our hearts.
No one is forced to follow; it’s a choice. That’s part of the beauty and power of your willingness to follow those who lead you.
For example, I choose to follow our senior pastor Kevin Myers as I lead those who follow me. It’s not either-or; it’s both lead and follow.
It’s like when a volunteer says yes to you; they choose to follow. It’s a beautiful and sacred trust that we must lead well.
Following is also an attitude based on character, and humility is the core character trait of a follower’s attitude.
2. Leadership is based on responsibility over authority.
“All authority in heaven and on earth …” (Matt 28:18) has been given to Jesus, yet He does nothing apart from the Father.
The way Jesus handles His spiritual authority is our model for leadership and followership.
Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5:19)
As a spiritual leader, you have authority, but that’s not what you seek.
- If you seek authority first, your leadership feels heavy to those you lead. It’s like the burden of leadership is on the followers.
- If you seek responsibility first, your leadership feels light to those you lead because you carry the burden; you carry the load along with those you lead.
When you focus your leadership on responsibility over authority:
- Your eyes are on the purpose
- You are willing to sacrifice your personal gain
- Your authority is only for the good of the people.
3. Serving is second nature to a spiritual leader.
The heart of a servant was one of the first things I was taught as a young disciple. But it took me a while to learn that it’s only when I serve with joy that I truly model Jesus’ example.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
Putting others first and serving them is not our instinctive human nature, but it becomes second nature to a spiritual leader over time.
Human nature is “me first.” Jesus’ example is others first. Candidly, I think it’s a life-long endeavor to live this out as a leader, and we must keep maturing.
One good way for us to know we possess a servant’s heart as we lead is that we don’t mind being treated like one.
Here’s another way.
When someone asks you to do something for them or even expects you to do something for them, how do you feel? Put upon, or happy to serve?
