Faith and Leadership

"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." -- Peter Drucker

"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check." -- James 3:1-2

Leaders are prominent in today's society.
Look no farther than your parents.
A teacher or instructor.
A public servant, a police officer, a politician.
A youth pastor or a pastor of a church.
These are a few of today's leaders that make up a large portion of society.

However, we do have leaders in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In reference to James 3:1-2, there are people who should not becomes teachers or leaders, because they cannot meet the standard that they wish to desire.
The standard can either be a doctrine, a personal standard, a liquid standard set by peers and followers, or the standard that God laid out before us.

"In your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling." -- Exodus 15:13

God shows us leadership in love. Through love comes the strength necessary to lead a group of people from point A to point B, to allow you to lead your people into success and victory.

"My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not stumbled." -- Psalm 17:5

Leaders need to lead by example, particularly by watching their 'footing'. Christian leaders need to be aware that their actions are watched and emulated through a group - the footing of that leader usually determines the overall footing of that group. It is therefore necessary to ensure that you have not fallen from the path of the Lord, to protect your followers from falling astray.

"Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees." -- Job 4:3-4

Leaders build up their people. Their teachings and instructions should build up their followers, and their motivation needs to carry their followers throughout the task, reinforcing and strengthening their will to carry out the given task. Christian leaders also need to reinforce God's Word into their followers, through fellowship, Bible reading, and prayer. The following quote reinforces the point of supporting and strengthening your followers:

"Leadership is based on inspiration, not domination; on cooperation, not intimidation." -- William Arthur Wood

Therefore, leaders need to work with and inspire, while building up, their followers. Leaders should not have to rely on a domineering presence or a sense of intimidation to work the group into accomplishing the task.

"I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." -- Proverbs 4:11-13

Leaders are teachers, and teachers are leaders. The two are inseparable. The leader needs to instruct his subordinates on the relevant things that will guide and protect them for the rest of their lives, even to the day that they become leaders and will inevitably replace you.

"The true aim of everyone who aspires to be a teacher should be, not to impart his own opinions, but to kindle minds." -- Frederick William Robertson

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." -- William A. Ward

"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil." - C. S. Lewis

As a teacher, you also impart Godly morals into your students. To attempt to teach them without morals is like showing a kid how-to change reality, without showing him the effect of emotion and the effect of consequence - without morals, there is no stop or limit to what a person can do, even if it endangers themselves and the people around them.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea." -- Mark 9:42

As leaders, you must be careful to lead in a manner that will strengthen your followers, not break them down. If your follower falls, it cannot be said that it was the fault of the follower; rather, the leader is to take blame for not protecting his follower.

"If it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." -- Romans 12:7-8

Teachers teach.
Leaders lead with diligence.
To encourage is to encourage.
Mercy is graceful and cheerful.
Serving it to serve.
Many leaders have trouble these days confusing the meanings of these. It's simple, that if you intend to do something, do it with the fullest of strength and determination, and do not warp the meaning of the word to benefit yourself.

In the end, it is not necessarily you who may benefit, but it is your subordinates and your followers. As a leader, God gave you these followers so that you may raise them in the manner that He desires.

-A. L. Balatayo