Christian Leadership

“The leaders of the organization make it or break it; they cause it to grow and succeed or block it” 

The success of any organization depends largely on the kind of leadership it has. The leaders either make the organization or break it.  They serve as role models for the members of the organization. They exert a great amount of influence on everyone in the organization.  The leaders also, on the other hand, set the limits for the growth of the organization.  As the leader grows, those who are in the organization will also grow.  Leadership is also the driving force of the organization. 

DEFINITION

Leadership is the process of influencing the attitude, belief, and behavior of human beings.  The leader is supposed to direct the behavior of the people towards the organizational goals and change the attitude and beliefs of people to conform to the norms and beliefs of the organization.  According to a Chinese proverb, the leader is supposed to make people do what they may not like to do.  Very often the leaders blame the members for not doing, changing or measuring up to some standard,.  But going by the definitions we have reviewed, the leader has no excuse at all because it is his responsibility to influence the members to do, change and grow. 

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

What does it take to be an effective leader? What kinds of traits, qualities, or characteristics should a person have in order to be a strong and influential leader? According to the old theories of leadership, for a leader to be successful he should have a set of qualities referred to as ‘leadership traits’.  But the modern view is that most people can become leaders if they develop a set of skills, abilities and qualities. 

SCRIPTURAL STANDARDS FOR LEADERS

Some of the qualities and standards required of and found in leaders are listed in Acts 6:3-8, These qualities are having an honest report, being full of the Holy Ghost, wisdom, faith, power and ability to do wonders and miracles.  The qualities required of bishops and deacons (I Timothy 3:2-13) are as follows: Being blameless, being vigilant, being sober, good behavior, being given to hospitality, being apt to teach, not being given to wine, no striker, not being greedy of filthy lucre, being patient, not being a brawler, not being covetous, ability to rule their children and house well, not a novice, not being lifted up with pride, having a good report, being grave, not being double tongued and husbands of one wife. The following qualities of a bishop is stated in Titus 1:7-8: “blameless, not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, lover of hospitality, lover of goodness, sober, just, holy, temperate”. 

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

A Christian leader should have several good qualities which are emphasized in the Bible.  These qualities include the nine fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 which are love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.  In addition to these nine spiritual qualities leaders should have several other qualities including wisdom, diligence, determination, truthfulness, boldness and creativity.  The Christian leaders should also have several abilities and skills such as ability to discipline, ability to teach, ability to communicate, diagnostic skills, problem solving skills decision making skills and social skills.  Lastly they should have a good testimony, a good knowledge of the Word, power to influence others, willingness to serve others and genuine concern for others.  While there is a close parallel between the business leadership qualities and Christian leadership qualities, the latter is more genuine, deeper and superior.  The business leadership qualities are poor substitutes, shallow and inferior to the Christian leadership qualities.  It is important to know what it takes to be a good Christian leader.  A Christian leader should know his strengths and weaknesses and try to grow in the areas of his weaknesses.  First of all, the leaders should believe in these qualities: then they should try to develop these qualities.  The parallel between the business and Christian leadership qualities are illustrated in Table-5.1. 

TABLE 5.1

BUSINESS VS. CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND SKILLS

 

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP             CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

QUALITIES AND SKILLS              QUALITIES AND SKILLS

SELF CONFIDENCE                           FAITH

PROVEN RECORD                             GOOD TESTIMONY

EMPATHY                                          COMPASSION

EMOTIONAL STABILITY                  PEACE

PATIENCE                                          LONG SUFFERING

ENTHUSIASM                                     JOY

BEING COURTEOUS                         GENTLENESS

FAIRNESS                                           GOODNESS

SELF CONTROL                                 TEMPERANCE

NOT ARGUING                                  MEEKNESS

SOCIABILITY                                     LOVE

BEING GOAL ORIENTED                  DOING THE WILL OF  GOD        

PROBLEM SOLVING SKILL              WISDOM

DEVELOPING SUBORDINATES       DISCIPLING

INTELLIGENCE                                  KNOWLEDGE OF THE  WORD OF GOD

CHARISMA                                        BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

MOBILITY                                          DESIRE TO TRAVEL

ABILITY TO GIVE ORDERS              ABILITY TO TEACH

RISK TAKING                                     SACRIFICE

SETTING AN EXAMPLE                    BEING A LIVING EXAMPLE

COMMUNICATION SKILL                BEING PERSUASIVE AND FORCEFUL IN  COMMUNICATION

POWER TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR    POWER TO TRANSFORM LIVES

LISTENING SKILLS                           PERCEIVING THE MIND AND  THOUGHTS

BEING A GOOD OBSERVER             OBSERVING WITH INTEREST AND CONCERN

BEING SENSITIVE TO THE               GENUINE CONCERN TO HELP

   NEEDS OF OTHERS                       OTHERS

COURAGE                                          BEING BOLD AS A LION

MAKING IMPROVEMENTS              BEING FULL OF GOOD WORKS    

BEING ACTIVE                                  DILIGENT

BEING RESULT ORIENTED              ABILITY TO FINISH THE  WORK SUCCESSFULLY

OPENNESS                                         BEING TRANSPARENT

WILLINGNESS TO HELP                   WILLINGNESS TO SERVE

BEING CONSIDERATE                      BEING UNSELFISH

STIMULATING THE INTEREST        BEING CAPTIVATING   OF OTHERS                      

HONESTY                                           TRUTHFULNESS

FORESIGHT                                        VISION

IMAGINATION                                  DREAM

INNOVATIVENESS                           CREATIVITY

NOT CRITICIZING OR                       RESTORING AND BUILDING

CONDEMNING OTHERS                  THE SELF IMAGE OF OTHERS

CONDONING                                     FORGIVING

 

SELF-EVALUATION OF LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND ABILITIES

To know our own strengths and weaknesses of leadership qualities and abilities, we may use a self evaluation questionnaire (Table-5.2). This rating scale is designed to evaluate leaders based on twenty leadership qualities and abilities.  Under each quality five statements are given ranging from A to E.  The statement ‘A’ is the best position whereas the statement ‘E’ is the worst position for anyone to be in. The purpose of this form is to help individuals see for themselves what their present condition is and how much they have to grow in that dimension.  Each statement is descriptive.  It is also written with a sense of humor to illustrate a point effectively.  The statements under ‘A’ have a scriptural basis.  Growth is always progressive.  If a person is at a third level on a particular dimension, he will know that he has to grow two more steps in that dimension.  This is a very useful and practical tool for self-evaluation and self-development.

 

TABLE 5.2.

SELF-EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE

(EVALUATE YOUR OWN LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND ABILITIES)

1. FAITH

All things are possible to him that believeth.
Many things are possible to him that believeth.
Few things are possible to him that believeth.
No one can be sure of anything.
What is faith?

2.   COMPASSION

I am tender hearted.
I have a soft corner in my heart for everyone.
It depends
I am not easily moved.
I have a heart of stone.

3.   PEACE

Have perfect peace and nothing can disturb it.
Calm and relaxed even when there is a problem.
Generally calm and relaxed.
There is something to worry about all time.
Look for a problem to worry.

4.   JOY

Rejoice in tribulation.
Can smile in any situation.
Can smile only if things go well.
Look sad normally.
Always look sad and cannot help it.

5.   WISDOM

I can quickly identify and solve any problem.
I can handle most of the problems.
I am pretty good in problem solving.
I don’t know what the problem is.
I have my own problems to deal with.

6.   ABILITY TO DISCIPLE

I am like Paul in discipling and having many followers.
I have discipled some and have a few followers.
I am willing to disciple some persons.
No one likes to follow me.
I need someone to disciple me.

7.   KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD OF GOD

I can quote scriptures backward and forward.
I have a good knowledge of the Word.
I have a fair knowledge of the Word.
I should read the Word more.
Is there any easy way to know the Word?

8.   BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

I have a double portion of the Holy Spirit.
I have a single portion of the Holy Spirit.
I guess I have the Holy Spirit.
I have my own good spirit.
My problem is to be delivered from the alcoholic spirit.

9.   WILLINGNESS TO TRAVEL

I would like to be a globetrotter.
I would like to travel to some countries.
I believe in staying where the Lord has put me.
I hate to travel.

10. ABILITY TO TEACH

I am a born teacher and teaching is my natural instinct.
I love to teach and have the patience to do it.
I would love to teach, if I have the opportunity.
Teaching is a very hard job.
Teaching would be the last thing that I would like to do.

11. SACRIFICE

I am willing to lay down my life for my sheep.
I would not risk my life, but would do my best to protect my sheep.
My responsibility is only to feed my sheep.
I would like to ride on my sheep if I can.
I wish I could eat my sheep.

12. BEING A LIVING EXAMPLE

Follow me as I follow Christ.
I am not the perfect example.
I am better than many.
Follow me at your own risk.
Follow me if you want to fall into the ditch with me.

13. SPEAKING WITH AUTHORITY AND POWER

When I open my mouth to speak, people are astonished at my wisdom.
I am a powerful speaker.
I am trying hard to be forceful and persuasive in communication.
No one likes to listen to me.
My problem is to force myself to speak. 

14. ABILITY TO TRANSFORM LIVES

If any one would meet me once, they would never be the same again.

My life has had a great impact on the lives of many people.

I can influence others to some extent.

I am easily influenced by others

My problem is to change my own life

15. GENUINE CONCERN FOR THE NEEDS OF  OTHERS

I cannot eat when others are hungry.

I am willing to share some of my food with others.

After I finish eating if there is any food left, I will give it to others.

I feel sorry for those who have no food to eat.

It is not my responsibility to feed everybody.

16. BOLDNESS

I am as bold as a lion.

I am bold when the lion is in a cage.

I am scared of lions no matter where they are.

I am chicken, to be honest.

I am afraid of chicken.

17. BEING FULL OF GOOD WORKS

In good works, I am second only to Mother Theresa.

I have done a lot of good works.

I believe in good works and am doing the best I can.

I cannot do much of any work.

To be honest, I would be happy if I am laid off from my work.

18. DILIGENCE

I work like a bull.

I work hard but not like a bull.

I am a unionized bull and I do a fair days work.

I would like to ride on a bull.

I would like to put the bull to work.

19. ABILITY TO FINISH THE WORK

I cannot sleep until I finish the work.

I can sleep, but I will dream about the work in my sleep.

I will finish the work but would not want my sleep to be disturbed.

I have the habit of sleeping on the job.

My problem is to wake up to start the job.

20. DREAMING

I am a dreamer like Joseph.

I am quite imaginative and get many new ideas.

I do have some good ideas.

I am good at borrowing ideas.

What is an idea?

Scoring System

Number of As   ________  x 5 points  =   _________ Points

Number of Bs   ________  x 4 points  =   _________ Points

Number of Cs   ________  x 3 points   =    _________ Points

Number of Ds   ________  x 2 points   =    _________ Points

Number of Es   ________  x 1 points   =    _________ Points

                                             TOTAL =   _________ Points

Interpretation

          90  -  100         Points   -           Excellent leader

            80  -    89         Points   -           good leader

            60  -    79         Points   -           average leader

            40  -    59        Points   -           poor leader

            20  -    39         Points   -           not fit to be a leader

             0   -    19         Points   -           dangerous to be a leader

These list of leadership qualities given so far in this chapter are not exhaustive by any means.  There are many more leadership qualities.  The leader should have a high degree of achievement, orientation, skill, competence, self confidence, emotional stability, innovativeness, friend, trust and confidence in his subordinates, empathy, integrity, initiative and adaptability.  If the leader has the right qualities and abilities, he will be able to fulfill his obligations well. 

WHAT A LEADER SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO

While possessing a set of qualities and abilities is essential, it will not make the leader effective unless he uses them.  He should follow the key principles of leadership which are listed in Table 5.3.  The leaders not only should be given some training before they are given some responsibilities, but also they should be continuously developed to stay current and to be able to accept new challenges.  In this chapter we are discussing leadership in broad and general terms, but in specific situations certain leadership qualities and skills may be more critical.  A leader must grow continuously because of the changes that take place. 

TABLE 5.3.

KEY PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP

1.      The leader should believe in the mission and the objectives of the church.

2.      The leader should be goal or results oriented and not activity or program oriented.

3.      The leader should undergo necessary training to acquire and increase leadership skills and to be up to date in his knowledge. 

4.      The leader should develop his subordinates and help them move up the organizational ladder.

5.      The leader should maintain order and discipline and consistently enforce the rules and regulations.

6.      The leader should diagnose the problems and solve them.

7.      The leader should communicate effectively.

8.      The leader should command respect and use his personal power rather than positional authority in dealing with his subordinates.

9.      The leader should not play favorites, but treat everyone fairly and without partiality.

10. The leader should help and counsel subordinates wherever necessary.

11. The leader should evaluate the performance of his subordinates objectively.

12. The leader should reach the goals and meet the deadlines; rising to the occasion, rather than giving some explanations or excuses for not achieving them.

13. The leader should set an example through his own conduct and demand high standards of performance.

14. The leader should learn and use sound principles of management.

15. The leader should be very innovative and creative and develop new methods and procedures to improve the organization.

16. The leader should delegate authority to his subordinates, commensurate with their responsibilities.

17. The leader should select the right person for the right job.

18. The leader should represent his subordinates effectively and procure them reasonable benefits.

19. The leader should adequately reward and compensate good performance.

20. The leader should appreciate and recognize all contributions of the subordinates to the group.

21. The leader should motivate the subordinates.

22. The leader should listen to his subordinates.

23. The leader should maintain a high moral standard.

24. The leader should serve the members.

25. The leader should be loyal to the church.