NATURE OF BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP

In the beginning, God created order out of chaos. He then assigned humankind to manage and be responsible stewards over His creation (Genesis 1:26-31). I believe this is the first glimpse of what God had in mind for us to live peaceful, quiet, fruitful, orderly lives. This biblical vision also gives us insight into the reciprocal relationship that exists between those in authority and those who serve under another `s authority. In God`s design, humankind manages and cares for the creation and the creation responds by producing bountiful produce. This is God`s plan for an orderly existence.

Likewise, it is God who provides civil authorities ( Romans 13:1). Scripture describes civil authorities as God`s servants to see that good is done (Romans 13:4). When functioning according to God`s plan, civil authorities maintain order by protecting and providing services for the common good and by punishing the wrong doer (Romans13). As God`s servants, we should pay them the respect and honor due them (Romans 13:7). Additionally, Paul reminds us that we should pray for those in positions of civil authority and live peaceful, quiet lives among them (I Timothy 2:1-2).

The church, as the community of God`s people, is also subject to the laws of God`s created order. In His mercy, God has ordained a body of elders to keep watch over, to guide, to protect, to feed, to shepherd (Acts 20:28), to oversee (I Tim. 3:1), to manage (I Tim. 3:3), and to lead (Hebrews 13:7,17) the family of God. Their task is one that requires tender care (James 5:13-14) and a shepherds heart along with a firm resolve to confront divisiveness and false doctrine (Acts 20:28-31). As such, these men are those who will give full account for the stewardship of our souls (Hebrews 13:17).

Servant Leadership Model
Biblical leadership is, by nature, servant leadership modeled by Jesus in word and in deed. In fact, throughout His earthly ministry Jesus modeled an alternative perspective of leadership. He intentionally sought to transform His disciples` perspective of leadership...In contrast to the Gentiles who “lorded it over” the people, Jesus instructed His disciples to become a servant. He condemned the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law for thinking too highly of themselves, for being showy, and for placing unnecessary religious burdens on believers (Matthew 23). Instead, He pointed to His own style of leadership as Godly leadership, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

It seems that Jesus understood the natural tendency of human nature toward pride, swollen egos and self-centeredness. A big part of Jesus` training of the 12 apostles was devoted to breaking their inflated view of themselves.

Jesus begins the Beatitudes by saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit...” This is really the key to maturity for all disciples of Jesus Christ...A poverty of spirit before God...A sense of dependency upon God...And humility toward others - The opposite of pride, self-assurance and self-reliance.

In the only place in the Gospels where Jesus tells us what He is like, He says of Himself, “Take my yoke upon you, learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:29-30).

What a beautiful description of the peace we find in Jesus...And what a wonderful description of the work of the shepherds of the flock who care for the souls of those who have been entrusted to them. “Shepherd the church of God, which He bought with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). The elders, the shepherds, as Christ`s “undershepherds” are to help make the faith we share a joy, not a burden. Unlike the religious leaders of His day, Jesus brought joy , comfort and peace.

Leaders Maintain a Childlike Enthusiastic Faith Perspective
Jesus understood the potential corruptive power of authority. Someone once said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Perhaps that `s why when Jesus` disciples came to Him and asked Him which one of them is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus called a small child to Him and placed the child in their midst and said, “ I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like this child, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4)...In other words, mature leadership is exemplified by those who have “changed “ their perspective on leadership. They have given up their foolish pride, swollen egos, and un-teachable hearts. Biblical leadership is exemplified by those who model humility and an ongoing learning spirit.

Jesus is describing adults who remain open books before God - who maintain a sense of wonder and awe over what God is doing in the present. They`re not stuck in the past with a God who no longer lives and breathes with His people. They are people of vibrant faith. Like a child who assumes their absolute dependence upon their parents, these men and women of God approach life with eagerness to learn and to grow- they maintain an open-ended view toward life...Likewise, Christian leaders should live in submission to and dependence upon their heavenly Father and remain open to learning new things and maintaining an open-ended view of God`s work in the world.

Leaders Are Servants Foremost (Matt.20:20-28)
Jesus also taught that leaders in His kingdom are to be servants foremost...Remember the story when Mrs. Zebedee came to Jesus with her two sons and asked Jesus for a prominent place in His kingdom for them? Jesus reminded her and the “12” that in His kingdom, leaders are not to “lord it over” those who are entrusted to them. Instead, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave” (Matt. 20:25-27). And he goes on to remind the “12” - and those of us here who aspire to lead - that just as Jesus came to serve, and not be served, we are to serve others...

By now, you probably get the picture that Jesus didn`t want us to adopt the leadership styles and structures from the culture around us...You would never know, would you?...You can go to just about any Christian Bookstore or visit any Christian websites and see books like Jesus: CEO and Success: The Jesus Method...These books are more concerned about excellence, finesse, and achievement than about character, ministry, and shepherding human souls. Sure we want to do our best for God, but in reality, ministry is not smooth around the edges - life is messy - and people problems are complex...

Quite frankly, I think Jesus must get offended by the way He has been sanitized and refined into a cultured western gentleman. Life in the trenches of ministry is tough work and characterized by sacrificial - humble service. Those who lead in the church are hardly to reflect a corporate CEO mentality. Instead, we are to reflect a humble and contrite spirit of service in submission to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The point is this...The church of Jesus Christ is exhorted not to adopt the worldly perspective of leadership that exists today where one man or a few “lord it over” the many...Nor are we to adopt a style of leadership like that of the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law who put unnecessary burdens on the people. They added to the Law, thereby, making faith a burden and drudgery instead of liberating and life-giving...

Instead, those who lead in the church should do so in humility and with gentleness...Their “yoke” should be easy and their “burden” should be light. Those who are “weary and burdened” should “find rest” and encouragement when they come to us because we point them to the “good shepherd,” the “chief shepherd” whose “yoke is easy” and whose “burden is light.”

The marks of mature leadership are “gentleness” and “humility” of heart before God and in service to our brothers, sisters, and a lost world (Matthew 11:28-30).

Conclusion: What does Biblical leadership look like? (John 13:1-17)
It was just before the Passover Feast - on the night before His death - and He knew the time had come to depart from His disciples and return to the Father. In one final demonstration of loving leadership, Jesus got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples` feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around His waist...Some of the disciples resisted - “Why should someone as important as you wash my feet as if you were a humble servant?”...Then He went on to tell them - the pillars of His church - “I have set before you an example that you should do as I have done for you...” That`s what true leadership looks like.

contact:
Frank Buonomo, Minister
Connecticut Valley Church of Christ
61 Cook Hill Road
Windsor,CT 06095
860-683-0591
grace_peace@hotmail.com