A faith-based approach to real-world leadership
Effective leadership requires a wide range of skills. We must…
We need leaders who look more like Jesus
New series will explore the dimensions of Christian leadership.
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BRENTWOOD, TENN. — I grew up in a small rural Church of Christ that sang “O Why Not Tonight?” on Sunday mornings.
As a ministry consultant, I’ve collaborated with more than 80 congregations in 23 states.
For the past 22 years, I’ve served at the same church through numerous seasons of transition.
This is part of a series of guest columns on church leadership.
I’ve learned one thing for certain: Leadership matters. In fact, when it comes to the health of a church, as the leadership goes, so goes the church.
That’s why The Christian Chronicle is launching — with this introductory column — a new series of guest opinion articles focused on that subject.
The writers in this space each edition will come from different regions and different congregations with different histories, cultures, sizes and worship practices.
They’ll come from churches that still use songbooks and others with praise teams. Some will preach from the KJV, others from the NIV.
Yet all will share important convictions: An authoritative view of Scripture. A belief that the God of Scripture is still active and at work in the world today. A belief that the Gospel must remain the first priority of the church. And a deep love for the Churches of Christ.
“Leadership is more than a position or title. It is influence. It is stewardship. It is the responsibility to help people see what God may be calling them to become and then create an environment where they can grow into it.”
All will share this conviction, too: Healthy churches require healthy leadership.
Leadership is more than a position or title. It is influence. It is stewardship. It is the responsibility to help people see what God may be calling them to become and then create an environment where they can grow into it.
Nowhere is this more important than in the local church. And our fellowship’s commitment to shared leadership makes this calling both beautiful and challenging.
Church leadership is not ultimately about getting our way, winning arguments, protecting traditions or building a personal platform.
Jesus redefined leadership. He picked up a towel, knelt before his disciples and showed us that greatness in the kingdom is measured by our willingness to serve.
That kind of leadership requires humility.
Steve Bonner, chair of Lipscomb’s Undergraduate Bible Department, announces the Pastoral Leadership Program.
It requires leaders who can say, “I may be wrong.” Leaders who listen before they speak. Leaders who can disagree without becoming disagreeable. Leaders who are secure enough to celebrate someone else’s success.
And leaders who understand that the church belongs to Christ — not to the elders, the preacher, the staff or any individual leader.
Healthy leadership also requires trust. Trust is built over time through integrity, consistency, transparency and keeping our word.
Related: A faith-based approach to real-world leadership
It gives teams the freedom to have difficult conversations without becoming divided. It creates an environment where people can challenge one another, extend grace and pursue what is best for the kingdom rather than simply what is most comfortable.
Leadership requires teamwork. The biblical picture of leadership is rarely one person doing everything. God has always worked through communities of people with different gifts, experiences, personalities and perspectives. Healthy teams do not require uniformity; they cultivate unity.
And faithful leadership requires a high view of Scripture coupled with an understanding of the culture in which we minister. We do not change the Gospel to fit the culture. But neither should we ignore the culture around us. Effective leaders remain deeply rooted in biblical truth while learning how to build bridges to people who desperately need the hope of the Gospel.
Two hundred church leaders gather for the first annual Shepherd Network Southeast conference.
Over the coming months, we will explore these and other dimensions of leadership — humility, trust, teamwork, spiritual discernment, cultural awareness, courage, communication, succession and the intentional development of other leaders.
None of us has mastered these things. I certainly have not.
But after more than two decades of ministry in the same congregation and walking alongside churches across the nation through seasons of remarkable health and painful transition, I am increasingly convinced of this: One of the great opportunities before the Churches of Christ is for our leaders to become better leaders.
Not simply more effective leaders. Not simply more strategic leaders.
Leaders who look more like Jesus.
Because leadership matters.
JASON THOMPSON is coordinating The Christian Chronicle’s special series of guest articles on church leadership. He serves as executive minister for the Harpeth Hills Church of Christ and assists churches and faith-based organizations with ties to Churches of Christ. Contact [email protected].
