The Christian Leader
Steven R. Cook
A leader is one who leads, commands, guides, and directs those under his authority. A Christian leader is one who has been chosen, called, and equipped by God to fulfill the function of leading (1 Timothy 5:17), feeding (Jeremiah 3:15), and protecting (Acts 20:28) the flock designated to his care (Ephesians 4:11-13). The Christian leader possesses a delegated authority from God; which authority has established perimeters in the Bible alone.
When
God gives the gift of Pastor-Teacher to a male believer of His choosing (1
Timothy 2:12; 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), He also provides the opportunity for that
Pastor-Teacher (who possesses a desire to lead) to receive training
adequate to fulfill his function (usually seminary). Once the Pastor-Teacher has the ability
to do his job, God will then provide the occasion for the exercise of
the gift. The occasion will come when
God unites a Pastor-Teacher with believers who are willing to submit to his
authority. The acceptance of the
Pastor-Teacher by the church brings about a union made by God. Once the church receives its Pastor-Teacher,
the church must be trained in authority orientation so as to understand its
submissive role (Hebrews
Scriptures that reveal the Pastor-Teacher’s authority:
Ephesians 4:11-13 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Jeremiah 3:15 “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
Pastors are to:
1. LEAD
(Ephesians
2. FEED
(Jeremiah
3. PROTECT
(Hebrews
Sheep are to:
1. FOLLOW (Hebrews 13:7, 17)
2. EAT
(Jeremiah
3. GROW
(1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter
Christian servant-leadership involves a relationship of at least two people, where one takes the first step toward serving God and asks the other to follow. As a Christian servant-leader leads, the Christian servant-follower follows, and together, God leads them both into His will. A few principles to consider:
1. The
pastor has an obligation to God to feed those in the church (Ephesians
2. Those in the church have the obligation to hear and apply the teaching (Jeremiah 3:15; Hebrews 13:17).
3. The Pastor is to aid those under him to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17)
4. Without the Pastor’s aid, a believer cannot grow to maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
5. The
relationship between the Pastor and sheep is to be complementary, not
competitive. That is, both the Pastor
and the sheep ultimately will give an account to the “great Shepherd”: From the
Pastor, what is taught (Hebrews
Summary Points:
1. Success in leadership is determined by God's standards, not human standards. Moses was a successful leader, even at those times when his subordinates were acting contrary to God’s will. The leader is successful when He follows God’s directions.
2. A leader must keep his focus on God at all times. To break the tie with God who gives wisdom, strength, courage, compassion, and patience is to become vulnerable to disaster.
3. A servant is one who surrenders his will to accomplish the will of another.
4. A Christian servant-leader is one who surrenders his will to accomplish the will of God.
5. A Christian servant-leader is one who is lead by God to lead others into conformity to God’s Will.
6. A Christian servant-leader who does not know God's will cannot function as a leader.
A Christian leader is one who has his authority delegated to him by God. This does not suggest that a leader is to be a dictator, for the Word of God sets forth no such understanding (Luke 22:25-26; 2 Corinthians 1:24); rather, the leader in the church is one who is fulfilling his duties to the One who chose, called, and equipped him.