What is Christian Leadership?

The role of Christian leadership can be seen in many forms. They all have these adjectives in common the roles of guiding, encouraging and leading a group in religious and spiritual matters. Christian leadership can be broken down into five main aspects leading, relying on God, responsibility, serving others, and following God's will.

Leading:
Christian leadership involves more than simply taking charge of a congregation and leading worship services. Gently guiding and encouraging each individual in their charge to become closer to Christ, over-come issues in their lives, and to help them reach their spiritual potential is the duty of all Christian leaders. It is also the task of Christian leaders to guide their congregations from where they are they are now, to where God wants them to be. Encouraging individuals to follow God's will, instead of their own agenda (or that of the leader) is the true mark of a good leader.

Relying on God:
It is important for Christian leaders to trust and depend upon the Holy Spirit for guidance, wisdom and strength. For their role is somewhat of a paradox because they are called to help others come closer to Christ, which is in fact, something only the Holy Spirit can do. Ultimately, Christian leaders must realize that they cannot produce spiritual change in a church or an individual's life; only the Holy Spirit can accomplish this. The Holy Spirit often works through individuals to help bring about spiritual growth in others.

Responsibility:
Responsibility and accountability are two very important aspects of Christian Leadership. For leaders are held accountable to God for their failings. Christian leaders must strive to be good role models for their followers, as it is their responsibility to show Christ's love to others through their words, actions and they way they live their lives. Thus Christian leadership necessitates an acute sense of responsibility and accountability. Leaders should not place blame on their followers when they do not do what they should, if they themselves are not living up to their role. Instead of making excuses Christian leaders are expected to assume responsibility, and to guide people to do God's will through their own actions, and conduct.

Serving Others:
Unlike secular leader, Christian leaders are called to serve those they lead with humility, gentleness, kindness and love. The Apostle Peter gives us a good example of how Christian leaders are to serve their congregations and community. "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." ~1 Peter 5:2-3.

Following God's will:
"The greatest obstacle to effective spiritual leadership is people pursuing their own agendas rather than seeking God's will."~ Henry and Richard Blackaby. Many Christian leaders fall into this rut, day dreaming of their own agendas, while forgetting the point of their ministry. The goal of an effective Christian leadership is to guide others towards God's will, not ones one's own agenda.

In conclusion many are quick take a role of Christian leadership in their community believing that it puts them in a position of power, or that they have the right to rule over these whom they are to guide. But in fact Christian leaders are called to serve their community with compassion, gentleness, love and above all humility. "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." ~ Mark 9:35