Last time, in our discussion regarding training leaders, we framed a leader’s perspective by claiming that a leader has the privilege of presenting his followers with the gift of “believing the best”. In essence, that means that a leader doggedly holds to the notion that—as Christians and therefore possessors of God’s Spirit—any of his followers (disciples) present presentation is not indicative of their future potential.
This article seeks to address the second and third element of training leaders, which is (1) an unwavering commitment to leading by example and (2) providing commensurate authority with responsibility.
Leading By Example
The apostle Paul to the church in Corinth said, in 1 Corinthians 4:16, “Therefore, I exhort you, be imitators of me.” Later he expounded on this charge in 1 Corinthians 11:1 by saying, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” Paul will also instruct the church at Philippi to, “join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”
Later, the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 5:3 instructs church leaders to prove “to be examples to the flock.”
The apostle’s Paul and Peter understood the significant concept that leaders must consistently be leading by example. There are two components that I want to expound:
- The leader’s example…
- The leader serving as an example…
The Leader’s Example
Is it possible for a leader to merely be copying his leader that trained him? In other words, is it possible for a leader to be a mini-(fill in the blank with a human)? Have you ever heard–after observing someone’s behavioral patterns–someone respond with, “that guy is a mini-(name of person)”? I have, and it’s a shame. That’s not to say that we won’t take on personality or idiosyncrasies of someone who led us, but it’s not an excuse to justify actions because “it’s the way he does it or did it, etc.”
The leader’s example must rise above the earthly plane. We don’t need more mini-Elon Musks, mini-Bill Gates, mini-John Pipers, or mini-Billy Grahams. Instead, we need Christians whose primary example is Christ.
There is a church in Moscow, ID that issued a letter to anyone considering relocating to their area to plug into their church. The letter is titled, “Letter from Elders Regarding Relocating”. One element that is relevant to our topic of the leader’s example is the following paragraph taken from the letter:
“…we want you to realize that no one out here walks on water. For many of you, your knowledge of our area has been gleaned from our publications, and under such circumstances it is sometimes possible to find yourself with a set of unrealistic expectations. Moscow may seem better in print than it actually is. While we believe that God is blessing our community of believers, we do not want any of you to uproot your families and arrive here, only to discover, to your chagrin, that we are a bunch of schmoes.”1
This is helpful in framing the argument that a Christian leader must not have as their primary example another leader other than Christ. It’s not worth any potential benefit of conformity, common language, and point-blank disappointment leading to disillusionment.
Leaders must press into the challenges of myriad perspectives and align them to Christ or jettison altogether.
The Leader Serving As An Example
Practically speaking, how does a leader serve as an example? Below is my adaptation of the Denton Bible Church’s, Senior Pastor, Tommy Nelson’s impact on my life:
- You must be a disciple of Christ. You cannot lead others toward something you are not. This means you meet with God in His Word and in prayer.
- You must be able to inspire. Your sphere of followers will reach only as far as the biblical vision you are able to articulate.
- You must be able to reprove. Observations of poisonous patterns must be dealt with at the source, otherwise the disease will infect everyone, and no one will respect you.
- You must have determined humility. Poise and resilience in the face of trials coupled with a sense of honor in holding a leadership position advances effective and appropriate goals. There are too many difficulties in any context, so leaders must prudently and circumspectly press on in the face of trials. However, meekness should not be mistaken for weakness.
- You must be approachable. Without approachability, you will end up making 90 and 180 degree turns. People are thrown out of cars when they make these drastic of turns. Slower and inconspicuous turns are made by leaders who can be questioned respectfully.
- You must give and maintain respect. If you don’t respect others. They will not respect you. Also, as Fredrick Douglass noted, he who is whipped the easiest is whipped the most.
- You must love. Love is sacrifice and sacrifice endears others to you. If you do not love the people you are leading, they will know, and you will not maintain their trust.
- You must forgive. People will fail. So will you. Forgiveness builds trust and cultivates both creativity and synergy.
Authority With Responsibility
A megachurch pastor once quipped that a man is like a truck that drives better when he’s carrying a load. This pastor’s reference points to a man who needs responsibility to stay faithful and focused. What this underscores is what most healthy adults understand, which is that responsible individuals are more likely to produce fruit in their lives as compared to those who are irresponsible.
However, one editor pointed out, in reference to a quote from the blogger, Rollo Tomassi, that “there is no incentive for men to be responsible if there is no authority in the trade.” His point is essentially that a truck might be driven straighter with a load, but who says the driver has the authority to drive the truck in the first place? Great clarification.
The point these two people are making is that when a leader gives responsibility (load in the back of a truck), then he must also give authority (the appointment as driver). When these two things are not held in balance, then followers–whether understanding it or not–will struggle to advance in their leadership.
In other words, as authority is given with responsibility, followers are made to be leaders.
Let’s draw some applications from Scripture starting with the general and moving to the specific:
- Christ said to His disciples in Matthew 28:18, “All authority has been given to me…Go therefore and make disciples.”
- Therefore, as Christian leaders, all authority is derived and finds its source in Christ.
- Previous to Matthew 28, Christ told His disciples in Matthew 18:18, “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
- Christ handed His authority–at some level–to His disciples as steward-delegates of His authority.
- Later, the apostle Paul sets forth the institution of Church leadership as he instructs both Titus and Timothy. In Titus 1, after providing elder qualifications and the injunction for elders to be “faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching”, Paul says in Titus 1:9b, “so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” Paul will also–in Acts 20:28–instruct the church elders in Ephesus to “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
- In both cases, elders have both the responsibility of caring for the church while at the same time bearing the authority–as steward-delegates of Christ’s authority to keep the church safe from errant teaching and pure in the doctrine aligning with Christ’s teaching.
- Finally, the apostle Peter instructs church elders (leaders) in 1 Peter 5:2 to, “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.”
- Both responsibility and authority are presumed.
How do we give appropriate authority with responsibility?
- No haste.
- No micro-management.
- This means that a leader may not have all the information all the time. At one level, it’s a loss of control, but it’s also an opportunity for followers to earn the right to lead.
- Yes boundaries.
- There are limits to authority. In the same way, Christ’s authority is not shared, but delegated, the leader delegates, but realizes that he’s the final say and one who gives an account.
- Yes trust.
- When authority and responsibility are given, there will naturally be failure. When a person in authority fails, it’s not necessarily grounds for removing authority. Instead, it’s an opportunity to teach, train, and trust them as they reengage.
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1 https://www.christkirk.com/resources/moving-to-moscow/
2 https://americanmind.org/salvo/making-men/
— April 13, 2022