The profile of a Christian leader
Dear friends,
Kingfisher works most often with Christians in some form of ministry. Very often we need to answer this question:
How does Christian leadership look like?
What is the profile of a Christian leader?
What are we looking for in the person who will take responsibility for the ministry in his or her country, region, or city?
Are we looking for people who are strong, extrovert, assertive? The picture of a general walking ahead of his army towards victory? Much of this imagery comes from the secular world where arrogance and self-centeredness are seen as signs of a good leader, even willing to step on others to reach desired objectives.
Jesus set an example of servant leadership in Matthew 5:3–12 that we know as the Beatitudes:
- The poor in spirit who do not have such big ego’s that there is no place for the Spirit of God.
- They mourn over the brokenness in the world and find their comfort in the Father.
- The meek, but not the weak. Exercising strength in humility.
- Those with a passion for righteousness!
- Those who have an attitude of mercy towards others.
- Pure in heart, living with integrity.
- Peacemakers willing to pay a personal price to make peace in their communities.
- Willing to face persecution when living this Kingdom lifestyle draws opposition.
That is how a servant leadership profile looks like and this is the pattern we will see develop in those who spend much time with Him, being impacted by His very presence.
No wonder that Jesus said that we should not exercise authority over people by lording it over them like the gentiles do. “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 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.” Matthew 20: 26
Now what should I do if I look in the mirror and discover that my personality and leadership style does not fit the example Jesus wants to install in my life?
- Repent by first changing my way of thinking about leadership.
- Repent by changing the way I act towards others and humble myself following Jesus in the way He leads and make disciples.
- Following Jesus in the way He leads, and He makes disciples. Jesus will lead me on the right path in life and in leadership as well.
What should I look for in those I am discipling with the potential to be leaders in the Kingdom?
The character of Jesus being formed in them!
Your brother,
