The Heart of the Matter: Rediscovering Biblical Leadership
In today’s church, we’re facing a crisis of leadership. It’s not because we lack strong personalities or charismatic speakers, but because we’ve lost sight of what truly matters. We’ve traded in the humble, gentle, and servant-hearted leaders of biblical times for a more modern definition: strong, forceful, and domineering. And it’s taking a toll on our communities.
When we prioritize winning arguments over loving people, we create a culture of ministry bullies who mistreat and exploit others. We forget that our role as leaders is to serve, not to be served. We’re meant to be shepherds, nurturing and caring for our flock, not salespeople trying to collect as many consumers as possible.
The problem is two-fold. Firstly, we’ve abandoned the biblical definition of leadership, opting for a more worldly approach. Secondly, we’ve undervalued the importance of a strong, watchful, and comforting leadership community around our leaders. We’ve forgotten that every leader needs pastoring, care, and accountability.
Best-selling author Paul David Tripp offers a timely reminder of the importance of gospel-centered leadership principles. In his book, Lead, he provides 12 essential principles for aspiring leaders and seasoned pastors alike. The resource highlights the vital role that a leadership community plays in shaping leaders who prioritize humility, kindness, and faithfulness.
The truth is, we don’t need a new model of leadership. We already have one – it’s right there in the pages of the New Testament. As long as we continue to redefine leadership and devalue community, we’ll continue to struggle. It’s time to return to God’s norms and rediscover the heart of biblical leadership.
Leave a Reply