Enduring Qualities of Effective Christian Leaders

Leadership in the church sets the tone of the church and ultimately determines whether it prospers or stagnates. Unfortunately, every church has those in it to whom stature and recognition are important. This tendency is explained by a very fundamental principle built into all human relationships, i.e., “The weak are compelled to dominate while the strong tend to accommodate.” The problem with such a state is that it is a condition of immaturity that to some extent places the church in bondage and will ultimately be destructive to it. The tendency to dominate is a compulsion that by its very essence disqualifies from effective service those gripped by it. Unfortunately, stronger and mature people are often content to sit by and let the domination take place simply to avoid the confrontations that inevitably occur when the immature feel their role is threatened.

Jesus addressed this compulsion in a situation involving his disciples: “And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, “What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?” But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all”” (Mark 9:33-35). The very fact of their quarreling over prestige and authority illustrated their immaturity.

Proper leadership is an absolute must if a church is to prosper and Kingdom causes are to be advanced. Every great church is characterized by great and wise leadership. There are several characteristics often overlooked that great leader possess that would encourage people to follow him and cause his work to prosper.

1. His spirituality must be indisputable. Spirituality has to do with the extent that one walks under the leadership and anointing of the Holy Spirit rather than following the dictates of a carnal mind and the flesh. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, sharply contrasted immaturity with spirituality clearly indicating that one cannot be both: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”

2. His love for his people must be undeniable. It is demonstrated by the depth of his personal and uncomplaining sacrifices made in behalf of those he leads. Jesus voiced it this way, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

3. He must be farsighted. Leadership requires one to project out in his thinking the potential outcomes of both personal and corporate decisions as well as proposed projects, i.e., judging their flaws, predicting difficulties, seeing their helpful possibilities. He must see more, sooner, and further than his flock does.

4. He must be consistent in his lifestyles, attitudes, beliefs, and values. Consistency is a pearl of great price. What one believes, says, and does on a daily basis speaks far louder than what is preached on a given Sunday. Paul wisely counseled young Timothy: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:12-13). “Anyone who is wise or understanding among you should from a good life give evidence of deeds done in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13 NJB).

5. His walk should demonstrably be a walk of faith. Romans testifies of the faith of Abraham: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Romans 4:20-21). Paul admonished the faith walk: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

6. He must be meek and gentle in all situations and with all people in their home, church, and in the community. Jesus was both gentle and meek. Notice that both are mentioned as essential fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25).

7. He must be a person of prayer. Paul emphasized the centrality of prayer in his dissertation on spiritual warfare: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

James taught that one should not be quick to desire leadership positions since that person would be subject to greater judgment: “My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, because you know that those of us who teach will be judged very carefully” (James 3:1). God does not look kindly on those who take lightly their gifts and responsibilities in Kingdom work. One should take seriously the roles that they are given and their effect on others. Paul admonished Timothy on this very issue: “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).

Jeff

Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, CO-directors, Jubilee International, P. O. Box 572, Noblesville, IN 46061, Copyright November 2007 by Jefferson H. Floyd. All rights reserved.