Becoming a Christ-Like Leader

Evangelicals Today publisher and editor, Bishop Ef Tendero, always faxes a deadline and topic reminder to my office that includes this line: "You may write on any aspect of the theme, but should the Lord lead you to write on another topic, please feel free to do so."

I have been a columnist for the Evangelicals Today magazine since 1993, and in those 14 years I think I have written on the assigned topic three times, maybe.

This month's topic is "Becoming a Christlike Leader." While I did not exactly write on the theme for the July ET issue, I have been thinking about what it means to be a Christlike leader.

Here are some of my thoughts about Jesus' leadership style.

- Jesus led people not programs. Therefore, if we want to be Christlike leaders, we must learn to relate to and lead people. I think my friend, Joey B has it right when he constantly says that "discipleship is relationship." I will add that leadership is relationship.

- Jesus asked more questions than He answered. By asking questions He made people think. He never came across as a know-it-all, even though He actually knew it all. If we want to lead like Jesus led, we must learn to ask the right questions, and we must shut up long enough to let people answer.

- Jesus gave lots of second chances. Everyone Jesus led made mistakes, yet He never seemed to give up on them. He often corrected them, but he didn't give up on them. If we want to become Christlike leaders, we must accept that the people we led (and their leaders - that would be us) will fall, fail, make bad decisions and do dumb things. We must also learn to forgive 490 times. And we must give people second, third and fourth chances.

- Jesus was not afraid to offend or to be misunderstood. He preached, ministered and lived to please One and only One. He said and did what He felt was right from heaven's perspective, no matter what anyone on earth thought about it. If we are to be Christlike leaders, we must lead to please God, not man.

- Jesus served those He led. He washed their feet. This is the exact opposite of how many in the corporate and political world model leadership. Unfortunately, the serve-me leadership style has also crept into the church.  If we want to lead like Jesus led, we must have the attitude of servants.   

Jesus was the greatest leader ever, and these are just a few reasons why. I think I have a long way to go before I even come close to being a Christlike leader. But, since He gives multiple second chances, I will keep trying, I will keep changing, and I will keep leading.         

 

Comments

[patricia]

I have alredy seen a Christ-Like Leader. Kayo po Pastor Steve. Keep on leading 'coz we are blessed with what you are doing.

[joelbarrios]

Pastor steve,I really commend you for showing to us the kind of leader i really admire, serving people to make them great and i saw that on people around me.

[DZ]

It's easy to give self second, third chance, but hard to give others second chance.