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Thoughts on Leadership

A few thoughts on leadership based on 1 Peter 5:1-11. I did this as a homework assignment and just wanted to share it with my community. Enjoy :)

During Peter’s exhortation regarding shepherding, the first attribute that he mentions is that the leadership would not be out of compulsion, but rather that it would be done willingly as God would have it done. This hits the nail on the head with leadership, especially Christian leadership. We should be put into motion by grace and not out of legalism, our leadership should be a reaction to grace, not an action of self-satisfaction. Also, that we would be listening to the voice of God and align our heart and thoughts with the Father, that our hearts would pursue the same desires.

This idea continues as Peter lists some negative motivations for leadership including, shameful gain, domineering [which lies w/ pride], but that we should not only lead for am proper motive but that we should be examples in our leadership. Others in the faith should look at us and “follow us as we follow Christ”. There should be nothing questionable about our motive or the way in which we lead, every decision should be measured and each step should be purposefully placed. There is an extra ounce of exhortation provided for younger leadership, that they would remain submissive to the elders of their community/congregation. Without such submission and responsibility, we are susceptible to pride, especially if our churches, organizations, companies, etc are profitable and running well. 

Humility opens the door for advancement in the Kingdom of God and because it is He who we are responsible to, it is He who exalts our lives and “ministries” when He sees fit. God is so faithful that one of the major ideas of the Lord to keep us humble is to take our cares and anxieties! It is when we are anxious and feeling pressured that we take a hold of the reins and hold on tight with a hope to fix or bring order to the situation. One of the attributes to staying humble is to loosen up our grip on life, allow the color to come back into our knuckles and attack every step with prayer, patience and persistence.

In leadership of all offices and chairs, there will be opposition, the war that we fight is happening on a battlefield that we can not see, however the weapons are very tangible. Because Peter has personal experience in this area with his multiple denial of Jesus, an act that could have potentially made a mockery of his ministry, he offers some warnings. These warnings encourage us to keep a sober mind, not allowing the stress and pressure of our ministries, companies, organizations or marriages get the best of us which can lead us to, “just need a drink”. It is when “a drink” becomes a need to relax the soul rather than refreshment for the mouth that it becomes problematic. This is a direct command related to being aware of our enemy, “who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”. We are to resist our enemy flee any ways that would give him a foothold on our lives, this includes, pride, drunkenness, etc. There is a promise of suffering for the lives of Christian leaders, however, Peter also offers a promise of restoration from our Lord Jesus Christ! Restoration, confirmation, strength and establishment are four beautiful promises for the Christian leader and we can rest in these, allowing Peters exhortation to come full circle within every cycle and season of life and ministry.

Glory be to my Lord Christ Jesus!