The Challenges of Christian Leadership

‘…The gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.’ (Gal 1:11,12).

Christian leadership is the most honorable responsibility any one could ever be given, its fruits and rewards are eternal, reaching far beyond life on earth (Mat19:29). However, it does not come without trials. David was the greatest king of Israel by all accounts. However, his leadership was not without trials. ‘During David’s lifetime, one of David's sons raped his sister, a different son killed another, his wife turned her back on him, his best friend betrayed him, they took his kingdom, his mentor tried to kill him and his family rejected him’, not forgetting the adultery and murder he committed (UCB- Word for Today). Through all these trials David grew and his leadership became a great blessing to Israel and a trans-generational standard of leadership.

Below are some keys to effective Biblical Christian leadership:

1. Love: Many ministries have been destroyed because; at a point the visionaries’ primary focus shifted from God to the vision and loved the work of the Lord more than the Lord of the work. The temptation to value ones vision more than his relationship with God is one of the devils strongest baits against Christian leaders. He used it on Christ and failed and is still using it against Christian leaders today (Mat 4:8-10). Your visions and accomplishment can only be fruitful and fulfilling in an atmosphere of true worship. I pray that you can declare like Paul did that, ‘I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ’ (Phi 3:7).

2. God’s Calling: Christian leadership has its foundation in the call of God and not a mere appointment by men, Prophet Jeremiah and Apostle Paul who lived thousands of years apart were both declared to be called from their mother’s wombs. (Jer 1:5, Gal 1:15)

3. The anointing of God: It is the anointing that breaks the yoke (Isa 10:27). Christian leadership is being at the forefront of spiritual warfare, and without the anointing of God one is bound to be a spiritual casualty. The seven sons of Sceva received some good beatings from a demon possessed after they tried doing the work of God without the anointing of God. If Jesus fasted for forty days and nights for the anointing before He started His public ministry, then you dare not try doing the work of God with only human strength and intellect. All leaders in the Bible were anointed before leadership (Mat 4, Judges 3:10).

4. Character: Charisma without character lead to chaos. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne and Christian leaders can’t try leading without them either (Psalm 89:14). The gifts of the spirit are only fruitful in an atmosphere of the fruits of the Spirit. Humility, Integrity, and the other fruits of the spirit are major keys to longevity and fruitfulness in leadership. ‘Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace’ (Psalm 37:37, Job 1:1, Titus 1:6, 1 Timothy 3:2).

5. Faith: This comes by understanding or revelation that comes by loving God and seeking His face. People reveal their secrets to friends that love them most and God does the same, He reveals Himself to those who love Him. Hearing from heaven and acting in faith on earth is the key to fruitful leadership.

6. Wisdom: Jesus had to grow in wisdom to fulfill His leadership on earth (Luke 2:52). God’s strength is manifested through his wisdom. Wisdom is the principal thing especially when it comes to Christian leadership, without it ministry accomplishments become only temporal. The devil does not have any power over a Christian, his only access into our lives is through the wrong choices we make (Eph 3:10).To the world a man’s wisdom is determined by his words but in Christendom it is mainly determined by his works. Paul said ‘my message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (1 Cor 2:4).

7. Diligence: Successful Christian leadership demands hard work. It requires diligence in prayer, planning and execution of plans. Spirituality is no excuse for laziness. God planned His work and worked for six days before He rested on the seventh during his creation. ‘Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts’ (Proverbs 24:3-4)

8. Ability to teach: A Christian leader should be a student of God’s word and be able to teach it (2 Tim 2:15). It is important to note that without been an embodiment of what one teaches, his teaching and studying will be fruitless. It is easier to preach ten sermons than practice one of them (1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Tim 4:12).

9. Faithfulness: Finally, God rewards faithfulness in stewardship. Growth in leadership only comes as a result of faithfulness in little things. ‘Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much’ (Luke 16:10)