The success of, and blessing on, your leadership depends more on your character and the person you are, rather than on your activity and the programme you follow. The leader’s character, personality and attitudes are more important than his activities. And these can only be created and developed by time spent daily in the presence of God, in prayer and in the study of His Word. All the great leaders in the Bible were men who knew their God and developed their characters and built their ministries on their relationship with God.
1. A leader is humble
The biblical picture of leadership is one of humility. The words leader and leadership are not often used in the New Testament. The biblical word used in this context is rather minister or servant. The Lord Jesus tells us ‘whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant’ (Mark 10:43). And He demonstrated to His disciples and to us that the symbols of leadership are a towel, a basin and some water (John 13:5; 13–15). Humility and service are the true hallmarks of leadership. The Christian leader is not a dictator or employer. You are a guide who endeavours to learn the art of teamwork and how to help and serve the other members of your team so as to bring out the best in them and encourage them to work better as a team. The leader who is humble and serves those who follow him is more likely to be followed.
2. A leader is gentle
The ministry of leaders can be completely destroyed if they display the wrong attitudes to those whom they lead. When Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him in his leadership responsibilities, he underlined one very important quality he should always aim at. ‘A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all’ (2 Timothy 2:24). The word gentle describes the attitude of a mother towards a new-born baby. Paul wrote ‘we were gentle among you as a nursing mother cherishes her own children’ (1 Thessalonians 2:7). A leader is a gentle-man or gentle-woman. You should never hurt or wound those you are leading with words, humour or looks. Your gentleness should include courtesy, respect and consideration; and when rebuke or discipline is needed they should be exercised in love and gentleness.
3. A leader is patient
Patience enables leaders to be calm and level-headed even during the most trying situations; and it is more valuable than power for a leader. Many leaders expect results too quickly! You need to be patient with yourself and not expect too much. You need to be patient with those you lead and not be irritable with them. Paul’s exhortation to us is ‘be patient with all’ (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Let God work in their lives and allow them to grow. You need to be patient with unresolved questions and problems in their lives (and your own). Answers may take time.
You need to be patient in the development of your team and your ministry. Sowing precedes reaping; foundations precede structures. The bull-dozer technique should always be avoided. Remember that it is difficult to follow an impatient leader.
4. A leader is loyal
Loyalty is faithfulness and allegiance to an organisation or person. Leaders who demonstrate loyalty will attract followers. You should be loyal to your mission or organisation, and stand up for it when it is criticised. You should be loyal to those to whom you are responsible and avoid criticising them to others. Above all, you should always be loyal to those you lead. You should defend them when necessary, and never say anything derogatory about them to others. You should stick with them through thick and thin and help them when they fail in their responsibility or suffer a setback in their spiritual life.
A loyal and caring leader will always show his concern, and will do all he can to help his team members. Loyalty like this will always be reciprocated by those he leads.
5. A leader is trustful
Leaders need to be trustful, and confident, in two directions. First, you need to learn how to trust other people especially those members of your team to whom you have delegated tasks and responsibilities. Ask them to give you regular reports and let them know you are available for advice and help.
Second, you need to learn how to trust God in all situations. Trust Him especially for the help needed to solve the problems you face. You must not try to manipulate people, committees or decisions. You should leave the issues and results of your decisions in God’s hands. He is completely sovereign and in full control of all people and circumstances. You must have complete trust in Him.
