Introduction
While the world and society have undergone significant transformations over the past two thousand years, the fundamental aspects of society have remained unchanged. Across all sectors of human activity, people can be categorized as either leaders or followers. This idea serves as the very basis of personal and professional relations, and it is embedded in the mindsets of people. Despite the fundamental nature of the idea, its particularities have been subject to change along with the greater social context. In the past – for example, in the Middle Ages – leadership used to be more direct and force-based. Monarchs exercised complete, autocratic control over their countries, whereas generals led armies in battle. However, the 21st century has introduced a shift in the paradigm of values, increasing the emphasis on person-centric ideas. The challenges and objectives of the present require a different approach to leadership, which would ensure success with respect to the followers.
Under such circumstances, the Biblical concept of leadership acquires additional relevance, making the Godly approach one of the best strategies in this regard. The scripture possesses many examples of effective leadership, and it is essential to study them in order to understand the Christian view of the matter fully. Huizing states that centuries of leadership experience allow the church to make an invaluable contribution to related studies. Kessler and Kretzschmar define a Christian leader as one “who follows Christ and whom other persons follow.” In other words, the ultimate objective of a Godly leader is to accept the teaching of the Lord and use its ideas to inspire its followers. At the same time, it is essential to remember that the Word per se is not a leadership manual, meaning that its text is to be thoroughly analyzed and interpreted. Forrest and Roden have conducted a rigorous study of the scripture, identifying the key leadership themes. This paper serves to examine these findings, providing an overview of these critical themes.
Service
Serving the noble principles of the Lord is one of the integral components of a faithful Christian’s life. The writing by Forrest and Roden lays considerable emphasis on this aspect, as it is thoroughly described in the scripture. Jesus himself is the most vivid representation of an effective leader who managed to unite a great number of people around one purpose. He led people to salvation through God’s work, becoming a highly influential figure during and after his terrestrial presence. However, despite being the divine incarnate, Jesus still adhered to the Christian dogmas. John 13:5 reads as follows: “then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” This passage describes how Jesus acted as a servant in front of his own followers. He did not feel any embarrassment and was willing to show that this work was not beneath him.
The example of Jesus should be the essential point of reference for modern leaders as well. Evidently, it is to be understood figuratively, as its most important lesson transcends the verbal form. John 13:5 serves to encourage a humble attitude from leaders and prevent arrogance from being their leading incentive. In fact, the Service aspect comprises both practical and spiritual sides. First of all, leaders should not consider regular, non-managerial tasks as anything beneath them. Moreover, they should be able to set the correct example for their followers, maintaining a short distance from them. Second, a devoted Christian remains a servant of the Lord regardless of their position. Godly leaders should demonstrate an effective combination of both roles, being strong in their directives while remaining loyal followers themselves.
Teamwork
Another major theme of the Christian leadership principles revolves around the importance of teamwork. While it may not be evident in all cases, most situations discussed by Forrest and Roden demonstrate a certain degree of cooperation and its effectiveness in resolving serious issues. In Ecclesiastes 4:9, it is said, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.” This idea suggests that teamwork is beneficial for all parties involved, as it enables higher productivity and, therefore, better conditions. The essential status of teamwork is reflected in the story of Jesus, as well. Being the vessel of God’s work on Earth, even he had to rely on his loyal associates to fulfill his purpose. The apostles helped Jesus carry the Word of God across the world, achieving outstanding results, which would be impossible for one person. Finally, as said in 1 Corinthians 12:14, “the body is not one member, but many.” God made people in his own image, and a human body represents unity per se. Therefore, one may infer that the idea of cooperation and teamwork lies at the very core of creation itself.
In the 21st century, the importance of effective collaboration has become universally accepted. It is observed that organizations led by people who promote teamwork in all forms demonstrate better performance. Today’s social and professional landscape has become highly changeable, even confusing. As the number of variables grows in the globalized environment, so does the degree of challenges. Even the strongest leaders would be incapable of handling all issues on their own. Moreover, the presence of a team does not inherently guarantee a positive outcome for an organization or a group. Proper teamwork enhances the capability of each individual, allowing their strengths to synergize and yield excellent results. Accordingly, it is an essential objective of a Godly leader to remember that the Lord expects his creation to remain united in the face of challenges.
Love and Joy
Finally, another major component of Biblical leadership can be identified as pertinent to the current environment. Forrest and Roden confirm that love is the fundamental idea of the scripture, which is present in the books of the apostles, namely John. In fact, the idea of universal, comprehensive love threads through the Word, remaining a fundamental element of God’s will. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 verses illustrate its eternal nature. God made everything with love, and he wants his creation to carry this principle. The very story of the New Testament reflects this feeling, as the Lord never denied humanity an opportunity to redeem itself, despite all its sins. As written in Romans 5:8, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This concept was the primary motive behind Jesus’s sacrifice, and it is supposed to become the ultimate lesson for all leaders.
Love is a multifaceted notion, which includes Biblical leadership in the modern environment, as well. Today’s personal and professional practices are placed under additional scrutiny of the public, revealing unfaithful and unlawful acts, as enabled by technological development, among other factors. True leadership is always ethical and respectful, which can only be achieved when love is present. As mentioned prior, it has many forms, each being crucial. A true Godly leader should show love to those who follow them, as Jesus taught in Mark 12:29-31: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” At the same time, they are supposed to feel the same way toward God and his will, as the same verses prescribe. Overall, love should remain the primary component of decision-making, rendering the world a better place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Word of God possesses invaluable directives in terms of true Biblical leadership. It remains highly relevant in modern environments, as the axioms of the scripture are based on eternal concepts. In all situations, even the most influential leaders remain servants of the Lord. They cannot allow arrogance to determine their leadership, as it contradicts the very nature of the Christian worldview. Moreover, an effective leader has to rely on proper teamwork because serious challenges require a considerable degree of cooperation. Furthermore, working together allows followers to maximize the effect of their strong points while mitigating the influence of their weaknesses. It is a divine responsibility of a leader to create an atmosphere in which their followers will be able to overcome any difficulties through mutual understanding and cooperation. Finally, love is the foundation of all aspects of creation and is the primary directive of the Lord. As leaders remain loyal servants, they should make universal love their primary motivation. This way, the ethical and respectful nature of any activity will become natural and effortless.
Bibliography
Forrest, Benjamin K. and Chet Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2017.
Howell, Don N. Jr. Servants of the Servant. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2003.
Huizing, Russell L. “Bringing Christ to the Table of Leadership: Moving Towards a Theology of Leadership.” Journal of Applied Christian Leadership 5, no. 2 (2011): 59–75.
Kessler, Volker and Louise Kretzschmar. “Christian Leadership as a Trans-Disciplinary Field of Study.” Verbum et Ecclesia 36, no. 1 (2015): 1–8.
Malphurs, Aubrey. Being Leaders. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003.