On Being A Godly Leader

One of the professors in a class I was enrolled requested that we write a paper about leadership, and the positive and negative attributes that can be manifested by a leader. We were to write about the qualities we want in a leader and come up with real life situations where we have seen good and bad leadership styles manifested. It was interesting to see what we came up with when it was time to share with our fellow classmates the summary of our findings. Do you ever take the time to think about people titled as leaders around you? Do you consider yourself a leader? What is a Leader?

I was involved once in a situation where I had to analyze my priorities, confront my prejudices and mindsets before making a final decision. At that time I wanted to follow the Word of God at any cost and make the right decision since I wasn't too happy with what was going on around me. This whole situation brought to mind this classroom experience and the list we had come up with as a diverse group of students of various socio-economic backgrounds to identify a good leader.

I am sharing with you the seven attributes found in my notes about a good leader. A good leader to the group of graduate students, (1) plans his time carefully; (2) motivates, doesn't mislead, doesn't exploit; (3) cultivates honest speech; (4) loves advisors who tell the truth; (5) abhors wrongdoing of all kinds; (6) is good-tempered, and invigorates lives; and (7) strives to succeed in all his/her endeavors and helps others succeed. Many more attributes can be added to this list, and you can even start your own list or add to this one.

Since a leader is someone who can show the way, direct and instruct others in the truth, what does our life's instruction book have to say about leaders? The book of 1 Timothy 3 verses 1 to 15 describes some of the leadership abilities and attributes that someone must possess in order to serve in the household of God. One can see that leaders must be able to manage their households, lead their family members in the faith, be self-controlled, and live upright and godly lives worthy of respect in a peaceful environment. Leaders must also be well respected in the community, keep their words, not be a slanderer, and not be recent converts to avoid prideful attitudes.

It is such an exhaustive list that I was wondering who can really be qualified to serve God and His people in the spirit of love, integrity and truth. Moreover, since all humans have flows, how do we deal with the imperfections of people in leadership capacities? I also wonder at how the people who are selecting leaders to serve God's people know that they are making the right cut? Think about the people you see everyday in leadership positions, are they acting and living their lives according to God's Word?

Let us conclude with the Message bible definition of a leader by Paul to Titus as outlined by the Word of God. Titus 1 verses 5 to 9 read, “…Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. As you select them, ask ‘Is this man well-thought-of? Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble? It's important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God's house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracts if they oppose it. For there are a lot of rebels out of there, full of loose confusing, and deceiving talk. Those were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst. They've got to be shut up...”

In continuing with the same line, verses 15 and 16 read, “…Everything is clean to the clean-minded; nothing is clean to dirty minded-unbelievers. They leave their dirty fingerprints on every thought and act. They say they know God, but their actions speak louder than their words. They're real creeps, disobedient, good-for-nothing.” What a strong language to accept! However, we can not take anything away from the Word of God. Those statements were written for our instruction as they all relate to leaders in the household of God.

Where am I coming at with this topic? I guess that people looking at being leaders or being voted to leadership positions must pay careful attention to the Word of God. They should avoid using at all cost manipulations, deceit and backstabbing to make them look better than others in order to help themselves to what they consider to be the top. However, they must also be very careful because such tactics are probably as prevalent in some churches as in the world's ladder to success since we are dealing with human beings. Making the Word of God a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths will allow for a selection of people with an attitude of submission to God's Word, a love for His people, and a desire to serve with humility.

I like the subtle loving approach of Jesus in identifying what servant leadership must look like. In Matthew 20 verses 25 to 28 he stated to the reply of the mother of two disciples who wanted her sons to sit one at the left and the other at the right in the kingdom of heaven that, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his live as a ransom for many.” He demonstrated this perfect example of an obedient servant ultimate sacrifice by dying on the cross for us all.

As I see often so much messed up lives and wrong choices made around me, I have more than ever decided to rely myself on God and thank Him everyday that He is the one who qualifies the called. Since I also consider myself a leader who failed at times, I am learning to analyze deeply what caused me to behave the way I do at times. I am learning to keep my way pure by living according to God's Word and to follow the Holy Spirit lead in my life and not my own carnal mind. I am learning to keep myself in God's love as I wait for the mercy of Jesus to bring me to eternal life with my new glorified body. By the way, do you see yourself manifesting the qualities of a godly leader?

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus 2 Feb '08