Introduction
In understanding what leadership is, there are often severe problems. The world has leadership principles; worldly leadership tries to control and establish order. Unfortunately, the church is often influenced by these patterns of secular government. However, the Bible says that Christian leadership is based on principles that are opposite to the principles of this world. Unfortunately, in practice, this is extremely rare. Therefore, the church needs leaders who will be fundamentally different from the leaders of this world because Jesus, being the Head, was utterly different from all worldly rulers.
Christian leaders realize that they have a great responsibility to lead people where God directs, and therefore they make every effort to follow Him in the first place. When they need to make an impact on people, they turn to God – the Source of all power. To create an ethical personal leadership philosophy based on Christianity, one must examine leadership in Christianity, the purpose of a leader within such a philosophy, and specific qualities that a leader will need.
Leadership in Christianity
Firstly, it is worth saying that leaders in Christianity have always had a particular role; many lines from the Bible are devoted to how people should be led. Where there is no guidance, a person falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Proverbs 11:14). These lines directly say that without a leader, people will end. People always need a guide in this cruel, cunning world. In this philosophy, the leader must have high moral qualities, resist temptation and lead people to the goal. In modern capitalist society, most leaders are driven by the goal of getting as much profit as possible, which goes against Christian precepts. Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, James 3:1).
The leader is primarily a teacher for the followers, and they have a great responsibility. People search for a Christian religious education that fits the modern world of egregious injustice and remains faithful to God’s revelation (Lemke, 2017). This philosophy will guide seekers, and leaders who follow it will be able to lead people to the truth.
The Goal of the Leader
Whether a person was born a leader or became, one is not always known. Undoubtedly, some people are born with the ability to lead people, but even they do not become Christian leaders. After all, no one is born with the ability to do whatever a Christian leader requires. If leadership is primarily about guiding and motivating people, then communication is essential for effective leadership practice (Irving & Strauss, 2019).
Although effective communicators are not necessarily influential leaders, effective leaders are necessary effective communicators. Communication is one of the foundations of leadership, and a leader must have communication skills following the Christian leadership philosophy. These skills help people find a common language and speak clearly, conveying their thoughts to people. In addition to this, other functions are assigned to the shoulders of the leader, for example: helping people recognize and use spiritual gifts and abilities; inspiring people to do good works; planning and organizing the activities of God’s people; supporting the weak, instruct the weak in faith.
Leader’s Abilities and Qualities
Most of these abilities are not inherent in human nature and are entirely unknown to them. Moreover, the qualities of a Christian leader are the opposite of innate sinful impulses. Nevertheless, leadership is not a mysterious domain for a chosen few with a special gift of wisdom (Smalling, 2022). The bottom line is that one needs only the Bible to become an effective leader because it has all the instructions for this. Saints have always led people to a higher goal; their deeds can be used as an example and guide to action. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves; let each of you look not only to own interests but also to the interests of others (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Philippians 2:3). One of the essential qualities of a leader in this philosophy is the ability to put the goal of work above one’s own.
Real leaders always strive for success, not their success, but the general one. This is the essence of weaving Christianity into leadership; leaders do not lead their people behind them; they go along with them (Baumgartner, 2017). After all, when a group of people is needed to achieve a goal, only having a common motive, an idea, they will be able to achieve the goal. If at least one element of the team, and especially the leader, pursues personal, selfish goals, everything will fall apart.
Conclusion
A unique ethical concept is formed after studying leadership in Christianity, the purpose of a leader within the framework of such a philosophy, and the specific qualities necessary for a leader. Leaders in Christianity are given a particular role; for fulfillment, it is necessary to possess certain qualities described above. Applying such a leadership system in the modern world may seem ambiguous because the current system differs from what is written in the Bible. Despite this, it can become a reality if such an idea finds support.
References
Baumgartner, E. (2017). Do we need a wew approach to Christian leadership development?. Journal of Applied Christian Leadership, 11(1), 16-25. Web.
English standard version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. Web.
Irving, J. A., & Strauss, M. L. (2019). Leadership in Christian perspective: Biblical foundations and contemporary practices for servant leaders (pp. 141–162). Baker Academic.
Lemke, D. L. (2017). A philosophy of disciple-centered leadership. Christian Education Journal, 14(2), 270–284. Web.
Smalling, R. (2022). Christian leadership: Principles & practice. faithbook.