Building on Biblical Foundations of Leadership
Leadership in the Kingdom of God operates on principles vastly different from those of the world. While secular leadership often focuses on power, position, and personal advancement, biblical leadership is rooted in servitude, faithfulness, competence, and love.
These principles are clearly exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who declared in Matthew 20:27-28:
"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
The Preparation for Leadership
Preparation is essential in leadership. Jesus Himself spent 30 years preparing for a three-year ministry. Luke 2:52 states, "And Jesus grew in wisdom, and stature, and in favour with men and God." This highlights the necessity of personal growth before stepping into leadership.
In the early Apostolic church, everyone was engaged in ministry. However, over time, a sharp divide formed between clergy and laity, with clergy taking on all the work while laity merely observed. This is contrary to biblical doctrine. The priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5,9) teaches that every Christian is called to serve in some capacity. Leadership is not about seeking titles but about fulfilling God’s call through service.
What to Do While Waiting for Direction
Many people, upon feeling a call to ministry, make the mistake of forsaking the small responsibilities they currently hold in pursuit of a “grander platform”. However, the key to discovering God’s purpose is to remain faithful in what is already before you.
Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, studying Scripture, outreach, inreach, and personal involvement should be established before one is ready for greater leadership roles. Jesus emphasised the importance of serving in small capacities before being entrusted with greater responsibility.
Outreach and Inreach: The Heart of Ministry
If someone claims to be called to ministry but lacks a burden for souls, they may need to reassess their calling. Ministry is about people—both reaching the lost and nurturing those already in the faith. True leadership requires a heart for outreach and inreach.
Outreach: A leader must be involved in evangelism, Bible studies, and bringing others to Christ.
Inreach: Caring for those within the church, mentoring new believers, and building a strong, supportive community.
Building the Foundations of Leadership
Leadership is not about titles or positions but about trust and influence. To build influence, leaders must cultivate four key qualities:
Servitude – Leadership begins with serving others. Jesus demonstrated this by washing His disciples' feet (John 13:1-5). If Christ, the King of Kings, served His followers, then every leader must embrace humility and servitude. You can only serve by serving others. You can only serve God by serving others.
Faithfulness – A leader must be dependable. Faithfulness in small responsibilities leads to greater opportunities. 1 Timothy 1:12 states, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry."
Competence – While faithfulness is essential, it must be accompanied by competence. A leader must continually seek improvement, learning, and growth.
Love – Love is the foundation of effective leadership. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 reminds us that all talents and abilities are meaningless without love. People follow leaders who genuinely care about them.
These four qualities—servitude, faithfulness, competence, and love—build trust, which in turn fosters influence. Influence, not titles, defines true leadership.
Leadership is Service
Jesus' ultimate lesson on leadership came at the Last Supper when He took a towel and washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:12-17). He did this despite knowing that He was about to be betrayed. He chose humility over entitlement.
His act teaches us that:
True leaders are servants first.
Leadership is about sacrifice, not status.
Authority in God’s kingdom comes through humility and servitude.
Leaders must model humility, for followers replicate the behaviours they see. Leadership is not about being served but about serving others.
Handling the Challenges of Leadership
Leadership comes with conflict, criticism, and opposition. Those aspiring to lead must develop resilience and emotional stability. Jesus faced opposition but never wavered from His mission.
Every level of leadership introduces new challenges. Those who seek to lead must be prepared for greater responsibility and accountability. Growth happens in stages, and each level requires adaptation to new struggles and expectations.
Conclusion: Leadership is a Calling, Not a Title
True biblical leadership is built on service, faithfulness, competence, and love. Those who desire to lead must first learn to serve. Titles do not make leaders—character does. Jesus demonstrated this through His actions, and we are called to follow His example.
If you feel called to leadership, continue serving where you are. Engage in spiritual disciplines, develop a heart for people, and prepare for the long journey ahead. Leadership is not about climbing a ladder but about laying a foundation that will sustain a lifetime of effective ministry. As Jesus said in Matthew 20:27-28, "Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant."
May we all strive to lead like Jesus—by taking up the towel and serving others.