Category Archives: Leadership

As ministry leaders we need to adapt Christ-like ways of leading — that of servant leadership.

Signs of Christ-like Servant Leadership

You can know a ministry leader has adapted Christ-like ways of leading rather than controlling or abusive ways when:

They are consistently or persistently encouraged and affirmed as people loved by God, made to feel unconditionally accepted in Him.

They are made to feel like they have a part in the Body of Christ, that their spiritual input matters to the growth and health of the Body.

They are encouraged to reach out beyond the walls of the church, as well as to fellowship with one another wherein they will learn and be built up.

They are trusted to make decisions within parameters and are consulted on other important decisions.

They are given Biblical principles to discern how to be good stewards and are given tools to help where they struggle.

In essence, when leaders build up, respect, and trust their members, they are acting as fellow-servants.  In Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus identified servanthood as the way He expected His disciples to lead.  In so doing, they are emulating Him as “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”  To lead from any other stance is to open the doors for potential abuse.  — 5 Signs Ministry Leadership Has Turned Abusive

Sadly, spiritual abuse can happen in churches when leaders fail to heed the warning in Romans 12:3 to not think more highly of ourselves than we should. Being in a position of leadership doesn’t mean we are better than someone else. It doesn’t give us the right to control others according to Jesus (Mk. 10:42-45).

Signs of Abusive Leadership

You can know church or ministry leadership has moved from biblical leadership to abusive control when:

They are consistently or persistently criticized or belittled, made to feel worthless and guilty even when they aren’t.

They are made to feel that only the leaders know what God wants, that their spiritual experience can never measure up.

They are expected to spend all of their free time with church people and not to look beyond leadership for counsel or input.

They are not permitted to make even little decisions in their own spheres of ministry, needing approval for every change no matter how small.

 They are given mandates on what to wear, eat, watch, listen to, read, etc., or face ostracism.

Ministry leaders constantly face the need for making decisions, many of which could have long-ranging effects. It’s important we get it right.

Questions Ministry Leaders Should Ask in Decision-Making

Before making a final decision, ministry leaders should ask questions that would help them make sure the decision lines up with God and His ways.

1. Have we prayed about this? (Matt. 6:33; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17)

   ⇒ Stop and pray!

2. What course of action would most conform to the heart and ways of Jesus? (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 5:1-2; Col. 3:17)

   ⇒ Examine similar situations Jesus encountered.

3. Does it line up with crucial Biblical principles? (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12; 5:14)

   ⇒ Examine the whole of Scripture.

4. Is the course of action God-honoring and above reproach? (Rom. 14:16; 1 Cor. 10:31)

   ⇒ Seek to be honest.

5. Do we have peace from the Holy Spirit? (Rom. 14:17; Phil. 4:6-7)

   ⇒ If not, wait and keep praying.

More for Church Leaders: Decision-Making

I often find myself suggesting that leaders must lead the way by the example of their lives, not simply through their words or decision-making and planning efforts.  Through many years of involvement in the church, I have seen both the good and bad in leaders. The power of leaders leading by example often evidenced itself in the outcome.

The effective leaders set a good example, modeling Christ-like attitudes as well as godly behavior.

The ineffective leaders had integrity breaks, telling people one thing but doing another.

Areas in Which Leaders Lead by Example

Here are some examples on the MinTools.com site of where I write of the need for pastors and leaders to lead by example:

Training, being equipped to serve: The first tip in an article providing Teacher Training Tips and Resources is “Training Begins with Leadership.”  I wrote, “If leaders are not convinced of the need to personally become better equipped in ministry, they will have a harder time convincing teachers of its importance. As they exhibit a humble, teachable spirit, teachers will come to realize that everyone needs to learn and grow, including them.”

Fellowship, relating with and building up one another: In looking at causes for the declining of true fellowship in the church I wrote, “Pastors and ministry leaders must participate in fellowship with the Body as well, leading the way, if they expect others to follow suit.   It is so easy for pastors and ministry leaders to engage in fellowship with fellow staff and rarely with fellow church members.  People need to see both in leadership.”

Prayer Life, regularly communicating with our heavenly Father: In the Prayer Ministry section of the site I wrote that we need to “Model what it means to have a lifestyle of prayer.”  “The impact of modeling an effective prayer life is seen in the life of Christ. After observing the priority and passion Jesus had in spending time with the Father, one of His disciples initiated a request to learn to pray.”

Worship, revering God as the One True God, the Sovereign Lord: In the Worship Ministry section of the site I wrote that worship leaders must “Set the example in your own life of humbling yourself before Him so as to lead the way for the congregation. (See 2 Chron. 20:18 for an example.)”

Reasons for Leading by Example

Leading by example, however, isn’t something that should happen simply because of observation of church leadership effectiveness.  The concept of pastors and ministry leaders modeling the Christian life is:

biblical.  –  1 Pet. 5:2-3

Leadership is not lording our authority over people but being an example to them.

a matter of accountability.  –  Matt. 23

Jesus had some harsh words for the religious leaders of His day who did “not practice what they preach.”

commonsense.  –  Matt. 7:3-5

We aren’t going to see clearly where to take people if we aren’t going there ourselves.

Shakespeare penned the phrase, “Beware of the Ides of March” in his play, “Julius Caesar.”

A soothsayer warned Caesar of impending danger on that day.  He apparently ignored the warning.  Some say a friend convinced him that it was nothing more than superstitious foolishness.  Others say he may have mixed up the date.  The middle of each of the twelve ancient Roman months was called the ides.  In March, May, July, and October it fell on the 15th but on all the other months it fell on the 13th.  Perhaps Caesar mistakenly hid himself at home on the 13th and so when the 15th came, his guard was down.  Whatever the reason, Julius Caesar went to Pompey’s theater on March 15 of 44 B.C. to attend a senate meeting and was stabbed to death.

Lesson for Ministry Workers to “Beware of the Ides of March”

The lesson for us comes not only in his disregard of the warning but in why the warning was necessary.

Julius Caesar was a dictator whose exercise of power and control was met with great resentment and criticism by his enemies.  The conspiracy to kill him, however, involved his “friends.”

Christian leaders and teachers are exhorted by Jesus to be servants, not dictators, “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.”  See Matthew 20:25-28.

“Beware of the Ides of March” if you are using your position in the church as a means of controlling others and the agenda.  Danger could lie ahead.  You might think people are on your side, but the day could come when even your “friends” rise up against you.

“Beware of the Ides of March” if someone else in your church is allowed to engage in power plays.  Your church could be in for some trouble.

Help yourself, and others, instead to . . .

Maintain integrity. Be real.  Who you are at home and who you are in the pulpit, classroom, or boardroom should be authentic.

Minimize obstacles. What is keeping you from being who you ought to be?  What is keeping you from being a true servant?

Maximize your knowledge. Learn from others.  Don’t let yourself believe that you have arrived.  You do not know everything.  The input of others is valuable.

Model after God. Following after His character and ways will prevent you from the abuses and misuses of leadership.

“Beware of the Ides of March” by learning the lesson from Caesar’s life.  Even more importantly, listen to Jesus’ words in Luke 22:25-26,

“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.  But you are not to be like that.  Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”