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 (Ephesians 4:11-13) 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.  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 (1 Timothy 2:12; 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) of His choosing, He also provides the opportunity for that Pastor-Teacher (who possesses a desire to lead) to receive training adequate to fulfill his function.  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 a church that has a desire 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 13:13).  The Pastor-Teacher finds his authority in the Great-Shepherd who commands him through the Scriptures (Hebrews 13:17, 20).  

 

Trapezoid: ABILITY,Trapezoid: ACCEPTANCE  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                                                                                         

 

 

11And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13until 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.  Ephesians 4:11-13

 

15“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.  Jeremiah 3:15

 

7Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.  Hebrews 13:7

 

17Obey 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.  Hebrews 13:17

 

Pastors are to:

 

1.      LEAD (Ephesians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17)

2.      FEED (Jeremiah 3:15)

3.      PROTECT (Hebrews 13:17)

 

Sheep are to:

 

1.      FOLLOW (Hebrews 13:7, 17)

2.      EAT (Jeremiah 3:15)

3.      GROW (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18)

 

            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 4:11-13).

2.      Those in the church have the obligation to hear and apply the teaching that is taught (Jeremiah 3:15; Hebrews 13:17).

3.      The Pastor is to aid those under him to 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 13:17; James 3:1); from the sheep, what is believed and applied (Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 4:2). 

 

Summary Points:

 

·        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.

·        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.

·        A servant is one who surrenders his will to accomplish the will of another.

·        A Christian servant-leader is one who surrenders his will to accomplish the will of God.

·        A Christian servant-leader is one who is lead by God to lead others into conformity to God’s Will.

·        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.