LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH.

In christiandom, leadership is to serve others. In doing so, the leader is to provide acceptable leadership for others in the service and worship of God in obedience to all His commands. Generally a leader must be a visionary person with ability to share visions with others and inspires them to achieve a desired goal. He is able to motivate others positively with the ability to make others position their energies and God given potentials effectively towards achieving some set objectives. Christian leadership is not about leading and making members excel in carnally unprofitable activities and engagements, like in the pursuits of worldly materials, vain glories and fruitless powers. Christian leaders are to provide impeccable leadership in true worship, obedience to the Lord and a life of total commitment and holiness while serving God. Jesus expressed the role of leadership when he counselled his disciples not to be like the rulers of the gentiles saying: That the rulers of the gentiles lord things over others, and those who are great, exercise authority over the rest, but it shall not be so among the believers. Any christian who desires to become great among others, let him be a servant to the rest members. And whoever desires to be first among others, let him be a slave to the rest; just as Jesus Himself did not come to be served, but He came to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:25-28).

Scripturally, love is central to christianity and to christian service. So, leadership in the church of Christ should be driven by the love of God because God, Himself, is love; (1Joh4:8). Therefore, christian leaders must possess transformational nature of love which is the greatest virtue, greater than faith and hope; (1Cor 13:13). Christlike love brings about good leadership and modesty. When there is modesty, there will be trust and the congregation will not be misled nor exploited but will be motivated for greater works like in the case of Nehemiah who fearlessly motivated the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem; (Neh 2:17). Good leadership is creative, always creating godly and peaceful environments that will encourage members to develop skills in their gifts, effectively, for the unity and the edification of the church. Because of unity and love, the leadership will be thorough, setting the bar high to achieve the best for the congregation and the church. He is attentive to complaints and needs of members and is able to offer assistances within available resources. The leader is a manager, always at the forefront to lead and guide others until the desired goal is reached and achieved to the glory of the Lord. While the top management focuses on the global tasks in all areas of the gospel, the local church leadership focuses on members’ spirituality and needs; including the gospel spread.

While good leadership is team building, self development by members is crucial for the growth of the church because salvation of soul is a personal thing. Members should be obedient, take to corrective counsel and not be over-dependent on the leadership in the area of personal needs. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2Cor13:5). A good leader develops positive attitude towards others. He takes responsibility for his actions and gives rewards to deserving members for good service. The leader is a risk taker. He makes decision and if there is any mistake, he owns up to it without blaming it on others. The christian leader sees the mistakes of others and correct them with godly love without prejudice. He seeks continuous improvement of his members with the ability to turn them into stars in their gifted skills through the influence of good and godly leadership. Despite all this, a leader is not expected to be selfish, discriminatory, tribalistic, partial nor arrogant. These are unbecoming attitudes which are in direct conflict with Christian leadership. The proud of heart is an abomination to the Lord and shall be punished; (Prov 16:5). On the other hand, members should recognise their leaders who labour over them; esteem them in love in appreciation for their good leadership.