What Does Exemplary Christian Leadership Look Like?
Personally, based on my experience with the Christian life, there is something I expect from those who have gone before me in the Lord, the same standard that I hold for myself, for the sake of those who are looking up to me today. This is what it looks like…
Example in godliness
This simply points to one’s character and conduct in terms of purity and holiness. If ever you will find strength and encouragement to purify yourself in your Christian walk, you need to see that modelled in those who lead you. In fact, according to Hebrews 13:9, you must obey those who are above you in the Lord and “follow their faith, considering the outcome of their lives”. Unfortunately, there are some believers who hold to the view that this standard is too high for our leaders. According to them, we must leave room for our Pastors and the like to “make mistakes” because “no one is perfect.” I am sorry, but I reject that because Paul stresses that for someone to qualify for Church leadership, the least requirement is that he is blameless (1 Tim 3:1-2). You see, there is a difference between being perfect and being blameless. Certainly, no one can attain perfection but God alone. That is the point of the Cross, is it not? On the other hand, we can all live our lives in such a way that there is nothing in our lives that brings disgrace to the name of Christ. I mean, some Believers have conducted themselves in such ways that you cannot deny that they are true believers. There is nothing in that person’s life that you can use against them (Dan 6:4). That even his closest friends, yes, even his wife and children, can bear witness that so and so lives what he preaches. That is what it means to be blameless. That is the kind of leader that you and I need. And we must hold our Pastors, Priests, Evangelists, and Prophets to such a godly standard, dear brethren. No excuses…
Example in knowledge
“For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts (Mal 2:7)”. Being a Christian minister means that one is already 20 kilometres ahead of the congregation in terms of the knowledge of God. That, of course, begins with the basic knowledge of what is the Gospel. And what are the qualifications for entering heaven? To add on that, your leader must be knowledgeable of his Bible. When he stands to preach, he must be able to say something that he knows, to articulate it in a way that is clear and understandable to his flock. Believe you me, I have gone to some places where I have left my jaw on the floor because of Christian preachers who didn’t even know the verses that they were preaching from. Just a bunch of bogus doctors playing with the lives of critical patients. God save you from such shepherds who do not take time to search the hidden riches of Christ in His Word. Hear me again: if you are going to grow in your knowledge of the Lord, and if ever you are going to develop a love for Scripture and to give yourself time to study it, you will not get that from your television soapie, but you need your Shepherd to be an example of it. You need him to spend hours and hours in his Bible, studying the beauties of this great salvation. So that when he stands before you to speak, he has something about a God of which he, himself, is familiar with.
Example in Passion and Dedication
If there is something that is fading among us, it is the Christian work ethic. You see, there is only one path to revival. That is; we need individuals who are tireless in their labour for the Gospel cause. We need to look at our Christian leaders and be inspired by the way they care about the salvation of souls. By the way they give themselves to labour, especially on the part of preaching. Again, I am often disappointed by the fact that we believe that God’s people will grow and sinners be saved with as little preaching as possible. Not so, we actually need more preaching, not just once a week but every day! We can’t, we just cannot afford to have a Christian culture where everyone is lazing around in the name of Jesus. That casual attitude is proof, at least to the world, that Christ is not that important after all. Something else is. Brothers, do we ever believe that life is short and that we will have no other opportunity to serve the Lord? We desperately need exemplary Christian dedication. Starting with our leaders…
This is the overall idea of this article: Christian examples play a critical role in the life of every believer. You must have people that you look up to for what it means to be a true believer. Just as you yourself will have the next generation looking up to you for inspiration. Therefore, the onus is on your spiritual elders to model that example. And you must hold them accountable to that standard. To them who are Christian stewards like I am, I say: brothers, behold the privilege of being on the front line for this great Gospel. Let us, therefore, embrace that privilege and motivate those who look up to us in every area of our lives. Far be it from us that we become stumbling blocks to those who have been entrusted to our care. Are you an exemplary Christian leader?
Sinothi Ncube
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