What is Biblical Leadership?

One of the most common complaints within congregations is a “lack of leadership”.  This observation takes several forms: 1) the eldership acts as a board of directors 2) the eldership should be “Shepherds” 3) there is no vision 4) the focus of the “leadership” is on material things not spiritual things 5) there a severe lack of communications with the congregation 6) there is no one in the eldership I can talk too 7) the leadership and the staff are not on the same page 8) I take my concerns to the leadership and nothing happens and 9) I am not being "feed".

Frequently we hear in spoken and written ways that the eldership in a congregation should be “servant leaders” or “shepherds”. In a majority of these cases this description is placed in contrast to the leadership exercised in business.   And, in some cases, church writers have concluded that there is no place for “leadership” in a congregation of the Lord’s church. ( See the article by David Fitch at http://www.missionaloutreachnetwork.com/group/leadershipandvision/f...) .   There have been enumerable books written on various aspects of leadership and the eldership.  There are leadership networks completely devoted to this subject (The Leadership Network.http://www.leadnet.org/ ) and those who make their living being "leadership developers" (http://www.johnmaxwell.com/)

In this essay, I wish to examine what can be learned about “leadership” by examining what Jesus actually did.  Was Jesus a “leader”?  If so, what kind of leader?  Since Jesus is the “Good Shepherd,” then isn’t His model the example we should be following?  The dictionary definitions of a leader include: 1) guide or conductor  ( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leader ) and 2) one who leads or guides (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/leader ).   However, no one is a leader unless he has followers ( Maxwell defines this as "influence').

 The organization of the attributes I will identify is my own and doesn’t follow any chronological pattern in Christ’s life.    I will first state the leadership attribute exhibited by Christ with its scriptural reference.  Then immediately following that attribute, I will examine what the implications are for elders and staff who aspire to lead as Christ did.

Mission

God Himself had a mission. ^{John 3:16} “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, ^that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ^17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Jesus stated his mission very succinctly: ^{Luke 19:10} ”For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”  And, just in case anyone wonders about this, Jesus passes this mission on the apostles ( and thus to us) : ^{John 20:21 “}Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”  Scripture affirms again and again that the mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost.  This was done by preaching the good news of the gospel (Mk 1:38; 13:10) . It is also clear that this message was not to “righteous” but to those in need ^{Matt 9:12} “But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.”

Mission Application:

It seems inescapable that Jesus had a definitive mission.  If elders and staff are to emulate Jesus as leaders they must have a clear and articulated mission for the congregation.  This mission cannot be just any mission, but it must be directly related to seeking and saving the lost.  This seeking and saving the lost was expressed through the preaching of the gospel by both Jesus and the apostles    (Matt. 4:23, Matt. 13:10).  If the leadership is not explicitly focused on this mission and is instead focused on material things, then they are not leaders in the sense that Jesus was.   Jesus did not pass his mission in his kingdom to us to build physical buildings or edifices but to heal those in need of a physician.  ( In fact the first evidence we have of buildings modified specifically for "church" was of Dura-Europos, 256 C.E. Syria, baptistery: Synder, Graydon F.  2003. "Ante Pacem: Archaeological  Evidence of Church Life before Constantine. " Macon, Ga: Mercer University Press)  Support of this mission must be the first priority for biblical leadership.    Jesus said to focus on this mission.  He did not say focus on the material first then the spiritual can be done.   

Concentrating on the biblical mission is related to but not the same as setting goals.  The mission sets the  priorities for goals.  Without a clear articulation of mission, goals may or may not be either biblical or helpful.   Biblical leadership goals should be specific, measurable, realistic, and public to be effective.  Unfortunately too often the only measures used by elders and ministry leaders are attendance and giving.   Not understanding that attendance and giving are by products of spiritual engagement by members, their focus is not on these things but on the surface manifestations of much deeper problems.   These are not my conclusions alone.  The Gallop organization published the results of their survey "Growing Engaged Churches", 2004,  showing that spiritual engaged members using their spiritual gifts in fulfilling Christ's mission are committed members.  Engagement comes first before commitment with the resulting increases in attendance and giving. 

Vision:

Vision is defined as the” unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight: a leader of vision” .  A visionary leader can see “what can be” vs the person who only looks at the obstacles in accomplishing a given mission.  A good statement of the vision of the Lord is the statement in I Peter ⁹”The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count  ; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance^.”  The ability to “see” what others may not is also in view in the statement in Matt. 9:37 “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous..”  Proverbs has the statement 29: ¹⁸ “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”  Though the “vision” there is primarily about the “revelation” of God, the concept applies.  Certainly Jesus was a visionary leader who through God the Father was able to inspire followers to “see” the same vision. 

Vision Application:

To assert that the Lord was not a visionary leader seems preposterous on its face.  His vision for humanity has changed the face of human history. In spite of the obstacles of human sin, He saw that the “harvest is plenteous”.   Leaders must have a vision for the church firmly grounded in “seeing” the possibilities for spreading the gospel.  Those who neither see the need for reaching out to those who have not heard the gospel nor whose primary vision is something different would not seem to have the same vision as the Lord.  Biblical leaders must see “what can be” and not be deterred by difficulties that might arise.    

The concentration on Christ's vision and mission is essential for biblical leadership.  It is here that fundamental problems originate for congregations.   If the staff and eldership do not have the same vision and mission understanding no concentration on "programs" or any other effort will likely succeed.  So, first the vision of the eldership must be aligned with the pulpit minister as well as the supporting staff.   Here it is well to relate John Maxwell's "leadership" traits for our subject that would  prevent a biblical vision from being implemented in a congregation: a) eldership members or staff who lack the biblical vision and mission b) eldership and ministers who say "why" instead of creative thinkers who say "why not' do this c) Strong dogmatic personalities within the eldership who inhibit the biblical vision d) elderships and ministers who fear if one concentrates on the biblical vision "failure" will occur--this usually relates to dollars and attendance e) those who wish to concentrate on what has always been done ( traditional approaches) f) elderships and staff who see only problems and not solutions g) those who look only at how implementing a biblical vision will affect themselves and h) elders and staff who predict failure for a biblical vision.

Recruitment of a Team Who Would Themselves be Leaders:

Jesus recruited a team to implement his vision.  He personally called the twelve disciples – with varied backgrounds and talents.

  Simon, called Peter; a fisherman , always asking questions, a spokesman

  Andrew,  fisherman who recruited his brother, Simon Peter;

  James, son of Zebedee (called the son of Zebedee by Mark and Matthew, brother of John) first to become  a martyr ( Acts 121:1-2)

  John (Mark and Matthew identify him as the brother of James, son of Zebedee) a Son of Thunder who mellowed into the apostle of love

  Philip an evangelist who traveled far as a missionary ( Acts 8:26, 21:8)

  Bartholomew, named Nathanael  in John ( An Israelite in whom there was no guile (John 1:47). Traditions says he founded the church in Armenia

  Matthew whom the Matthew evangelist identifies as a publican or tax collector, named Levi in Luke and Mark who was the first to write down what Jesus did

  Thomas a pessimist who became certain by doubting (John 20:25)

  James, son of Alphaeus little is known of him; tradition says he preached in Egypt.

  Simon, called a zealot in Mark, Matthew, and Luke;a fanatical  Nationalist ( Luke 6:15)

  Jude Thaddaeus, called Thaddaeus by Mark, Lebbaeus Thaddaeus by Matthew, and Judas of James by Luke^; interested  in making Jesus known to the world ( John 14:22)

  Judas Iscariot the treasurer of the disciples  Nationalist.  He also led the purse of the disciples.  Jude or Thaddeus

It is clear from this group that Jesus: 1) specifically recruited a team to work directly with him 2) the individuals had diverse characters and abilities and 3) he did not base his recruitment on the external view of society as to their suitability or reputations.

Recruitment Implications: 

Elders and staff who aspire to be biblical leaders will personally recruit individuals to fulfill ministry.  A fundamental characteristic was this recruitment was initiated by Jesus Himself (Mk. 1:17; Matt. 4:19). Caution is advised here.  The tendency an of an eldership is to deduce that THEY are the team.   Though it is true that the eldership should be a team, they should not have “recruited” themselves.  This aspect of leadership is that they  should themselves recruit others who can be leaders to form teams for service.  The second implication is the individuals recruited should have diverse backgrounds and abilities.  Jesus both initiated and did the selecting.  The individuals recruited should not be a “replica” of the mindset and abilities of those doing the recruiting. Third,  biblical leaders will look beyond what the world considers proper attributes to those who have the potential to be great leaders in their own right—clearly Jesus did not base his selection on what the world considered.    This is a cautionary tale to those in the eldership who look only to those who have success as leaders In the business world as those who have the attributes God wishes in his church.   It is noted that this is definitive “recruitment” process---not just an arbitrary “selection” process.

There are at least 18 specific spiritual gifts delineated in the NT.  Some of them are: administration ( I Cor. 12:28), discernment (I Cor. 12:10), encouragement ( Rom. 12:8), evangelism (Eph. 4:11), Giving ( Rom. 12:8), helping (I Cor. 12:28), hospitality ( I Peter 4:9), Intercessory Prayer (Eph 6:18), knowledge ( I Cor. 12:8), Leadership ( Rom. 12:8), mercy (Rom. 12:80, proclaiming truth ( Rom 12:6), service ( Rom. 12:7), shepherding ( Acts 20:28), speaking ( I Peter 4:11), visionary faith ( I Cor. 12:9) and wisdom ( I Cor 12:8).   These attributes can serve as an initial guide for seeking out and selecting those who could either lead or be a part of a team to serve in mission.

A presupposition in recruitment and of those who can become leaders or be a part of a team is a fundamental respect for the talents and abilities of all members of the congregation by the eldership and staff.   Making negative assumptions and presuppositions about members has no place in biblical leadership.  

Training of a Team:

The biblical process for the training of a team is to train each  to become a disciple.  Discipleship always implied the existence of a personal attachment which shaped the whole life of the one described as a disciple, and which in its particularity leaves no doubt as to who is deploying the formative power. The control of the disciple by the man to whom they have committed themselves extends in the NT to the inner life. Of course, we are speaking of becoming disciples of Jesus.   There is a distinct difference between being a disciple of Jesus and either the rabbinical schools or the philosophical school patterned after the Socratic method.  In the rabbinical schools one became a disciple because of the respect for the rabbis knowledge and method. In the philosophical schools it was idea that the philosopher represented.  For Jesus disciples it was the person of Jesus Himself. (Theological Dictionary of the NT) 

So how did Jesus get his recruits to become disciples?   First, Jesus spent time with them.  One cannot read the gospels but be impressed that to become a disciple of Jesus one must be committed completely to Him.   And, in the case of the team of disciples that would become the apostles, they were with him constantly; “Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me” (New Living Translation, John 12:26).

Second, Jesus taught his team of disciples what it meant to become his disciple ( Luke 14:25-31).  Included with this is the aspect of being obedient to the commands of Jesus. (Matt. 10:37)  Obedience is done because of the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah.  This is not done for gain as the disciples of Jewish rabbis expected, but because of who Jesus is.

Third, Jesus trained his disciples to share in his work of seeking and saving the lost and serving those in need. ^Matt.10:5”  Jesus sent forth the twelve, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: ⁶But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. ⁸Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” ^{John 17:17}Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. ¹⁸As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. ¹⁹And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Jesus was constantly teaching his disciples by his example of direct service to those in need.

Included in the process of becoming a disciple is the understanding that one must make sacrifices.   ^{Matt 8:34} “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. ³⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.^”

Implication of Training (for Discipleship)

The first observation is elders and staff must be obligated to make disciples of baptized believers.  It is evident that biblical leaders like Christ must be committed to personally train others if they are to create true disciples.  How did Jesus do this?  He spent personal time with those he had chosen.  One cannot train a disciple without a commitment of personal time.   This attribute is a very, very significant problem for elders and staff.  Elders many times have full time jobs.  Some elders give significant time to the caring function of elders ( praying, counseling , comforting, visiting who are sick and hurting, etc). There are at least three other functions of the eldership: preparing/equipping ( Eph 4:12); spiritual guarding (Acts 20:28) , and oversight  (I Peter 5:2).  Committing the time to do the equipping or training function is not something that many elderships do. 

Christ  taught the disciples from the Word.  Too often in the church elders and staff think that having “bible classes” fulfills their obligation to train members to become disciples.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Bible classes provide “head knowledge”, but rarely translate into action.   An analogy would be teaching a class of medical students from books and expecting the students to become proficient doctors ( no one would wish to go to these doctors).  The medical model of hear one, do one, teach one provides instruction of at least an additional step in training of “doing." 

Not only did Jesus train his team, in Eph 4:9 we are told that the Lord gave “gifts” to men.  And, in Eph 4:12  elders, teachers, and evangelists are specifically told that this is “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”  Elders and staff who are biblical leaders like Christ must prepare (the NIV translation for equip) the teams and team leaders that they should have recruited for works of service.   Equipping is “lab work”.  It is not sitting in a room and making decisions for what others should be doing or assigning tasks to them.  Jesus actually took his disciples with him to let them see and work with Him as he was doing various works of service. 

Since Jesus taught that his discipleship comes at a cost, this must also be conveyed in training.

Service :

Biblical leaders in the mold of Jesus are servants.  From  the beginning, Jesus intended his team to share in his work ^{Luke 5:10} “And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”  Service is both a mission of biblical leaders and an attribute.  ^{Mk:10 45 "} For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   And we are told that the purpose of equipping members to use their gifts is "for the work of service" and that this work of service ( by using their gifts) results in the "building up of the body of Christ."   Is it any surprise then that the Gallop Poll found that members that are engaged in service using their gifts are more spiritual committed?  Eph. gives us the theological basis for this result.  In addition, the attitude of biblical leadership is a servant attitude. ^{MK 10:38} “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ^43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.^"

Implications of Service

Biblical leadership by both elderships and ministers must be expressed in service. Service is service of Christ to others and a personal commitment that can even be to the point of  death ( Jn12:25-26).  Service entails action in "contribution to the welfare of others".   This means biblical leaders will attempt to recognize and solve the problems of others --both the churched and the unchurched.

There is another aspect of service that is extremely important for biblical leaders to recognize.  Those raised with the modern world-view ( of which I am one) were taught that you must first be taught the Word ( propositional truth) in bible classes for extended periods  and then afterwards you might be allowed to serve in a substantial way ( on a committee, etc.).  Those with the postmodern world-view neither accept nor learn principally via bible classes ( propositional truth) but learn experientially.   Therefore, engagement in service is paramount for young families.  In a recent USA Today survey the following was found: 61% of 13- to 25-year-olds feel personally responsible for making a difference in the world and two-thirds of college freshmen (66%) believe it's essential or very important to help others in difficulty (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-23-gen-next-cover_x.htm ). Morley Winograd and Michael Hais, co-authors of Millennial Makeover: MySpace, YouTube, and the Future of American Politics, call Generation Y “the most civic-minded since the generation of the 1930s and 1940s. … This is a generation of activist doers."  When you couple this earth shaking change with the Gallop results, Christ's emphasis on service, and the admonition for  biblical leaders to equip members for service, leaders will neglect or minimize service at their peril. 

Integrity--Being Who You Say You Are:

Biblical leaders ( elders, ministry leaders, and staff) must have integrity.  This word means that what they said corresponds to truth--it corresponds to reality.  Biblical leaders cannot just say they have vision and mission for the congregation that corresponds to Christ's vision and mission, they must demonstrate it.  Likewise for the other attributes of recruitment and building up of people and service.  Jesus himself was the embodiment of "truth" ^{Jn. 14:6} Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.   This attribute of biblical leadership like Christ embodies: a) speaking the truth (Luke 4:25) b)being reliable or trustworthy ( Rom. 15:8) c) being honest (2 Cor. 7:14) and d) being authentic ( I John 1:8). 

 Implications of Integrity--Being Who You Say You Are:

It is this last attribute of integrity that is so important for the unchurched.  In Thom Ranier's book "Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them", the very first lesson is for church leaders to be authentic: "If they don't see authenticity in our own lives, how can they expect the church to be real".   This statement equally applies to the perception of members of existing congregations.   Interestingly, this attribute is the also the very first one that the postmodern generation expects.   Leaders cannot say they believe in seeking and saving the lost and by their actions do other things.   Christ-like leaders cannot say they believe in the vision and mission of Christ and place their emphasis on other priorities. Leaders cannot say they are interested in people and not spend their time with people.   

Summary of This Essay:

An examination of Jesus as a leader has demonstrated biblical leaders (elders, staff, and ministry leaders)  like Jesus: a) Will have a vision of what is possible in fulfilling Christ's mission b) will have a mission that aligns itself with seeking and saving the lost c) will personally recruit members of a team that they will develop and recruit those who can be leaders in their own right d) will train and equipment team members  to use their unique spiritual gifts to be disciples of Christ e) will both personally serve the churched and unchurched as well as enlist members in service and f) will demonstrate authenticity/integrity in all of their actions.

If one examines typical complaints about elderships given in the opening paragraph, most can be eliminated by following the example given by Christ as a leader.   Certainly, service and authenticity would negate the charge of being   a board of directors. Lack of vision and improper focus on the material would be eliminated by a proper vision and mission congruent with Christ's vision and mission. Development and equipping of staff would eliminate the "staff and leadership" not being on the same page.  Proper communication of vision, mission, discipling, and service aspects would combat the "lack of communications" complaint. And, if proper discipling is done "not hearing complaints' would be minimized.  The "shepherding complaint is often associated with the "board of director" one as well.   Another aspect of this complaint is "I am not being feed".   In scripture it is explicitly elderships that are to "feed the flock" (I Peter 5:2).  This is a function of elderships and not staff.  However, proper disciplining and equipping by the eldership would address this need.

There are many other attributes of leadership one can find in how Christ led and served.  Perhaps, first and foremost is Christ genuine interest in people and the relationships thus established. No eldership can be successful without having this interest and developing trust from those that they wish to be either leaders or followers.