On Christian Leadership
A fresh exploration of Christian leadership principles.
The first 10 minutes of the movie Gladiator, shows the final battle of the Roman Empire against the Barbarian tribes of Germania. "Just one final stronghold stands in the way of Roman victory and the promise of peace throughout the empire…" the opening scroll reads. General Maximus Decimus Meridius sits astride his warhorse at the head of Rome's Northern Army, "The Felix Legions." His presence inspires courage in the face of a fierce foe who have just sent a gruesome message: a beheaded messenger, in full view of the whole army.
Maximus gives orders involving a carefully calculated risk on the placement of catapults relative to the cavalry, a risk he himself will primarily take as leader of the cavalry, and instructs his second-in-command, Quintus, "On my signal, unleash hell."
With a rousing speech to his fellow soldiers whom he calls "brothers", who visibly love and respect him, he gives them courage: "Hold the line! Stay with me! What we do in life echoes in eternity!", bolstering them against the fear of death with the promise of the eternal life in paradise to come, and leads the charge into the fray, providing an example of valor and bravery for his men to follow.
He is well trained, well-armed, well armored, and well prepared: a spare sword on his saddle replaces one he loses early in the fight. He is first onto the field. He chooses the hardest battles. He assists his friends in trouble. Suffering several wounds in the process, he is the last to stop fighting. "Roma Victor!" Victory and glory for his empire, Rome, and his emperor, Marcus Aurelius.[1]
Though the physical and spiritual realities this movie is based on couldn't be more antithetical to the Christian Mission, the packed 10-minute opening scene, taken as a metaphor, is a near-perfect illustration of Christian Leadership.
In John's Apocalypse, Rome is The Beast,[2] the very manifestation of the structural, systemic, and political power of the devil himself. Rome persecuted and enslaved Christians and threw them into the very same arenas in which Maximus would fight later in the movie. The fight in the movie is against fellow image-bearers. Our fight is never against flesh and blood.[3] But the virtuous example and actions of the fictional Maximus in this scene encapsulate much of what is involved in the life of a Christian leader.
We serve at the direction of The Great High King,[4] in the service of The Kingdom,[5] without fear of death,[6] keeping in view the promise that peace is just one stronghold away,[7] and we inspire others to this same service.[8] Christians are the true Felix ("Blessed") Legions.[9]
My Thesis
I believe that the essence of Christian leadership is helping others face the spiritual battles they encounter on God's mission with courage. I believe that every Christian is called to lead for the Glory of God, out of love for others, by managing the present in light of future goals, to engage the spiritual battle, with the virtues of clarity, conviction, courage, character, community, and competence. These virtues are forged through engagement in the ordinary means of grace (scripture, worship, fellowship, spiritual discipline), studying the truths revealed in creation, and learning from the common-grace wisdom of other experienced leaders from all walks of life.
All Christians Are Called to Lead
Every Christian is called to lead at some level. The "creation mandate" to all humanity is a mandate of leadership, each in our sphere of responsibility as we "fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion" over it (Genesis 1:28).[10] Every believer is Christ's workmanship, "…created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them…" (Ephesians 2:10). Each one is graced with a gift for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). Each of us are called to lead, but there are different stewardships, spheres of influence, and measures of grace assigned to everyone (Romans 12:6), and so our roles vary.
Everyone is first called to lead themselves. The primary way we lead ourselves is by obeying Christ's commands out of love for him (John 14:15). In so doing we become examples to those around us (1 Timothy 4:12). The foundation of all leadership is your ability to lead yourself.[11]
While everyone is called to lead in some sense and context, if at least in leading themselves, The Bible also speaks of leadership in three other specific senses: as a spiritual gift, as an ecclesial office, and as familial responsibility.[12]
The Gift of Leadership
Leadership is a spiritual gift. This gift is given in different measures to certain members for the good of the whole body (Romans 12:4-8). One word for leadership, translated as "the one who leads" in Romans 12:8 (προϊστάμενος, "proistamenos") means literally "the one standing in front" (think Maximus in front of the legions), and carries with it the sense of "to preside, lead, direct, govern".[13] Another word, translated sometimes as "lead", sometimes as "administrate" or "manage", sometimes as "giving guidance" in 1 Corinthians 12:28 (κυβερνησις, "kubernesis"), and in the Proverbs means "to pilot" or "steer".
It has been said that leadership, like evangelism, is something for which certain individuals are gifted, but to which all are called. In other words, the exhortation in Romans 12 is not solely to those with the gift of leadership, but rather it is for all who lead: do it with zeal. The word translated as "zeal" (σπουδῇ) means "earnestness, haste, true commitment" and carries the sense of "full dedication to serving the community."[14] John Piper uses the word "intensity" to encapsulate this idea of zeal.[15] A leader is to devote his full attention, resources, and efforts to those he is serving.
Leadership in the church
The Bible describes the leadership role of the ecclesial office of elder, also called pastor or bishop (overseer).[16] Peter exhorts the elders of the church to "shepherd (literally, "pastor") the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight (literally, "bishop-ing")" – and they are to do it by way of example, not domineering those in their charge (1 Peter 5:2-3). The office of pastor/bishop/elder is restricted to men by the same passages that also bind the role to those of exceptional character, reputation, experience, and ministry skill (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9). These men are tasked with teaching and governing the affairs of the church (1 Timothy 5:17). Among the qualifications of an elder is the ability to manage his household well (1 Timothy 1:4), which points to the final leadership role discussed explicitly in the Scriptures: Family headship.
Leadership in the home
The husband is head over the wife (Ephesians 5:22-33), and parents as head over their children (Ephesians 6:1-4).[17] The household order corresponds to the nature of subordination in the Godhead, imaging Christ's submission to the Father (1 Corinthians 11:3). The marriage relationship itself is meant to be a beautiful illustration of the relationship of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32). As the husband sacrificially serves his wife at his own expense, and the wife follows her husband, the watching world sees a picture of the gospel. The gentle, patient, caring, loving, sacrificial service of a husband to his wife is an excellent picture of the nature of Christian leadership.
Every Christian is called to lead through obedience to God's commands, taking initiative in action in the great commandment and the great commission,[18] setting an example for those around them. Some Christians are called to specific roles, whether it is the office of elder, the role of husband or mother, or any other specific vocation they inhabit. Some are further given a special gift of grace of leadership. Whatever role or gift you have been assigned; the ultimate goal is the same: to bring glory to God.
For the Glory of God
Every mission a Christian leader undertakes ought first and foremost to serve the purpose of glorifying God (1 Corinthians 10:31). The chief end of the whole life of every Christian, and therefore the chief end of Christian leadership is to glorify God.[19] Crawford Loritts observes that "We should love Him more than anything, and all that we do should be an expression of that love relationship."[20] This statement is double-edged.
All that we do will be an expression of that love relationship. If our relationship with God is impoverished, so our leadership will be. We will be driven by selfish motive; domineering, lording over, or perhaps worse, asleep at the wheel, having abandoned our post. We will be aiming at wrong motives, selfish motives. This is what separates Maximus from the villain Commodus in the example from the movie.
Commodus seeks his own power and comfort at the expense of others. Maximus serves for the glory of king and kingdom, at his own expense, for the benefit of others. This is the model for Christian leadership.
Out of Love for Others
Paul reminds us that our whole purpose in leadership is driven by love: "The aim of our charge is love…" (1 Timothy 5a). He exhorts us to "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). Jesus taught and modeled the life of Christian leadership: to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:25-28).
Just as a husband is to follow Christ's model and "give himself up" for his wife, the Christian leader is to give himself up for those he leads. Mark Sayers remarks that "leadership is the act of dying to self in public."[21] Paul Tripp gives my favorite definition of Christ-like love: "willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not require reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving."[22] This is the sort of love that enables Christian leadership even through the harshest conflicts and messiest situations. Even the secular world recognizes this.
In the New York Times Best Seller, Love Is the Killer App, Tim Sanders states, "Those of us who use love as a point of differentiation in business will separate ourselves from our competitors just as world-class distance runners separate themselves from the rest of the pack trailing behind them." His definition of love: "the act of intelligently and sensibly sharing your intangibles…" (knowledge, network, compassion) "…with your bizpartners [sic]."[23]
Though they're getting love backwards, using it as a means to an end, rather than a motive to serve,[24] the essentiality of love in leadership is clear. We are to work for the good of those we serve, and in order to do that, we need to help them manage present realities in light of future goals, to help them engage in the spiritual war with courage.
By Managing the Present in Light of Future Goals
It is important to recognize the difference and balance between management and leadership. They are separate but, but symbiotic disciplines. According to John Cotter, "Management is a set of processes that can keep a complicated system of people and technology running smoothly" while "Leadership is a set of processes that creates organizations in the first place or adapts them to significantly changing circumstances."[25] While noting the difference, he also reminds us "All highly successful transformation efforts combine good leadership with good management."[26]
Management is concerned with what is, leadership is concerned with what should be. Both are needed. 1 Corinthians 4:2 can be applied to management, "it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." 1 Corinthians 12:28 lists the gift of administration alongside the gifts for ecclesial office (apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healing, helping, administration, and languages… weird list…)
Because the Great Commission involves going to every nation, and because culture is constantly changing around us, this "faithful stewardship" will always involve the need for change leadership. A wise leader manages present realities in light of these future goals. As we press forward toward these future goals, the uncertainty brought on by change, and the prospect of conflict with those who disagree can be a foothold for the devil to sew doubt and discord in an organization. This is a spiritual battle, and it must be engaged.
To Engage in the Spiritual War
One of my first spiritual mentors built into the bedrock of my soul an awareness that "we are at war with an enemy who hates us and is trying to kill us." Expounding on 1 Peter 5:8, he exhorted me to be on the lookout for the spiritual battle. I see it every day in ministry. I meet it every moment of leadership. Paul Tripp reminds us that "personal and corporate spiritual war must be a regular part of our ongoing conversation with one another and a central focus of our prayer together."[27] As we engage God's mission, we ought to expect opposition from without and within (2 Corinthians 5:7). The Bible normalizes the expectation of the spiritual war.[28]
One of the hardest spiritual battles we fight is often simply facing reality. Whether it is an underperforming team member, unsuccessful initiatives that are pet projects of entrenched leaders, or difficult conversations that will likely lead to conflict, facing reality is crucial to the mission. Jim Collins develops "The Stockdale Paradox" in his classic Good to Great: "You must retain faith that you will prevail in the end and you must also confront the brutal facts of your current reality."[29] With this in mind, the spiritual battle of truth-telling can be fought with courage. Christian leaders are to engage the spiritual battles they will encounter on mission and help the ones they lead to engage the spiritual opposition they face. The most effective way a leader can do this is by setting an example. Like Maximus on his warhorse in front of the foe instilling courage in his men, a leader can model the courage of one who is clear on their mission and convinced of their identity in Christ, even when the risk of a beheading is a physical reality.
With Virtue
Leadership happens most effectively through example. By exhibiting the virtues of clarity, conviction, courage, character, community, and competence, a leader can inspire others to action in the mission. A leader needs clarity in both an accurate understanding of God's mission (i.e., good theology), and in the specific outworking of that mission in their context.[30] This doctrinal and missional clarity is to be held with conviction. Being "convinced that this truth is essential and life-changing"[31] is required for operating with the intense, zealous passion described in Romans 12:8. This conviction brings courage to stick to principle in the face of opposition and existential threat. As discussed earlier, character is the primary biblical qualification for leaders. Community is required for the plurality, accountability, counsel, and collaboration needed for effectiveness in the mission.[32] Andreas Köstenberger notes that because we are called to reflect God's glory and excellence in our work, we are to increase in competence "in order to fulfill our calling effectively and to bring glory to God."[33]
These leadership virtues are forged in the pursuit of the spiritual disciplines and ordinary means of grace in the community of the local church.[34] Indeed, the local church is designed by God to be "the center of leadership development."[35] But leadership is also developed by availing ourselves of the common-grace wisdom and experience gained by those with leadership experience, no matter their background, through books, articles, mentorships seminars, classes, and the like.[36]
Conclusion
Generals like the idealized Maximus rise through the ranks through years of faithful and dedicated service in the trenches for King and Kingdom. They become examples to their fellow soldiers through their life of virtue and valor. They step up when a call for service is issued, and even beforehand, taking initiative when a need is first noticed. They gain credibility as they survive the wounds of battle and rejoin the ranks. They earn respect when they suffer chastisement for misdeeds, and in humility learn from their error, make reparation, and correct their ways. When they are handed the mantle of leadership, no one is surprised. When they stand in front of the line, everyone is inspired to action, and fear of the foe does not hold sway. Of course, no human has ever attained to the fullness of this ideal, save one.
Maximus is a fine fictional hero and a good metaphor for Christian leadership, but Jesus is the true example of the perfect Christian leader. He is the one who brings us all courage to face the spiritual battle, because he has already defeated the foe. Jesus is the one who first took initiative in God's mission of bring Himself glory by making Himself known as Lord over all creation. Jesus is the perfect example of the virtues we are to walk in. Jesus is the perfect example of leading and providing for us in the present in light of a future goal: an eternity of life in a new heavens and new earth where we will finally dwell with our creator in fully restored relationship, the ultimate thriving any human can ever have.
Christian leadership is helping others face the spiritual battles they encounter on God's mission with courage.
I believe that every Christian is called to lead for the Glory of God, out of love for others, by managing the present in light of future goals, to engage the spiritual battle, with the virtues of clarity, conviction, courage, character, community, and competence.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Collins, Jim. Good to Great. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2001.
Crouch, Andy. Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing. Westmont, IL: IVP Books, 2016.
Geiger, Eric, and Kevin Peck, Designed to Lead: The Church and Leadership Development. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2016.
Hamilton, Craig. Wisdom in Leadership: The How and Why of Leading the People You Serve. Kingsford, Australia: Matthias Media, 2015.
Harder, Günther. "Σπουδάζω, Σπουδή, Σπουδαῖος." Edited by Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964.
Irving, Justin, and Mark Straus. Leadership in Christian Perspective: Biblical Foundations and Contemporary Practices for Servant Leaders. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, Baker Publishing Group, 2019.
Lencioni, Patrick. The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, Wiley, 2012.
______. The Motive: Why So Many Leaders Abdicate Their Most Important Responsibilities. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2020.
Loritts, Crawford. Leadership as an Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009.
Mohler, R. Albert. The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, Baker Publishing Group, 2012.
Piper, John. The Marks of a Spiritual Leader. Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God Foundation, 2011.
Reicke, Bo.* "Προΐστημι."* Edited by Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964.
Sanders, Tim, Love is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends. New York, NY: Random House, 2022.
Sayers, Mark, and Jon Tyson. Facing Leviathan: Leadership, Influence, and Creating in a Cultural Storm. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014.
Scott, Ridley, director. Gladiator. Universal and Dreamworks, 2000. 2 hr., 34 min. https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07RKFQWV9.
Smith, Charles. lecture notes for CF-MN5468-CONF-01 Leadership Practicum. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, September 2022.
Strauch, Alexander. Biblical Eldership. Littleton, CO: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1995.
Tripp, Paul David. What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010.
______. Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
Westminster Assembly. The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition. Philadelphia: William S. Young, 1851.
Notes
1. 1. *Gladiator*, directed by Ridley Scott (Universal and Dreamworks, 2000), 2:00 to 12:00, https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07RKFQWV9.
2. 2. Revelation 11:7, 13:1-10, 17:7-18
10. 10. Unless otherwise specified, all Bible references in this paper are to The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (ESV) (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016).
11. 11. Craig Hamilton, *Wisdom in Leadership : The How and Why of Leading the People You Serve* (Kingsford, Australia: Matthias Media, 2015), 85-90.
13. 13. Bo Reicke, "Προΐστημι," ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 700.
14. 14. Günther Harder, "Σπουδάζω, Σπουδή, Σπουδαῖος," ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 566.
15. 15. John Piper, *The Marks of a Spiritual Leader* (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God Foundation, 2011), 22.
16. 16. For a full treatment of the equation of pastor, elder, and overseer, see Alexander Strauch, *Biblical Eldership* (Littleton, CO: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1995).
17. 17. The Bible also discusses the leadership of masters over bondservants described in Ephesians 6 and 1 Peter 2, but the complexity and nuance of this social/economic/familial relationship is sufficiently complex to put it outside the scope of this paper.
18. 18. Matthew 22:26-40, Matthew 28:18-20
19. 19. Westminster Assembly. *The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition* (Philadelphia: William S. Young, 1851).
20. 20. Crawford Loritts, *Leadership as an Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence,* (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009) 23-24.
21. 21. Mark Sayers, Jon Tyson, *Facing Leviathan: Leadership, Influence, and Creating in a Cultural Storm* (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014), 125.
22. 22. Paul David Tripp, *What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage* (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010), 188.
23. 23. Tim Sanders, *Love is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends* (New York, NY: Random House, 2022), 13.
24. 24. Believing authors in the secular marketplace are working to right the ship on love as motive-vs-means. See for example, Patrick Lencioni, *The Motive: Why So Many Leaders Abdicate Their Most Important Responsibilities* (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2020).
25. 25. John Kotter, *Leading Change* (Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press, 2012), 28.
27. 27. Paul David Tripp, *Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church* (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020), 124.
29. 29. Jim Collins, *Good to Great* (New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2001), 86.
30. 30. For some excellent tools in creating, communicating, and reinforcing this kind of clarity, see Patrick Lencioni, *The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business* (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, Wiley, 2012).
31. 31. R. Albert Mohler, *The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters* (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, Baker Publishing Group, 2012), 22.
32. 32. Justin Irving and Mark Straus, *Leadership in Christian Perspective: Biblical Foundations and Contemporary Practices for Servant Leaders* (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, Baker Publishing Group, 2019), 60.
33. 33. Andreas J. Köstenberger, *Excellence: The Character of God and the Pursuit of Scholarly Virtue* (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011), 43-52.
35. 35. Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck, *Designed to Lead: The Church and Leadership Development* (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2016), 4.