Great leaders are not automatically those whose natural abilities give them large public platforms or whose charisma brings them many followers. The fall of 'famous' Christian stars in 2023 has shown repeatedly that success in 'Kingdom of God' leadership is not measured in this way.
The formula for success in ministry is much more basic and organic. As we enter the New Year of 2024, it would be wise to examine our lives using the following grid and then make whatever adjustments are necessary going forward.
Great leaders are:
Grounded – There must be a firm, unshakable foundation on which to build. For centuries, the Bible has been that foundation. It has been taught as God's direct message to mankind. It has been considered the final authority on all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV). In recent years, that foundation has been progressively undermined. When we begin to doubt the veracity of scripture, we erode the keystone on which our faith is established and place the entire structure in danger of collapse.
The Word of God is forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89 NKJV). In a recent poll by Into Thy Word Ministries, it was discovered that 72% of pastors used the Bible only as a reference tool in the preparation of sermons but not as a personal or devotional life guide.
It stands to reason that the followers of such leaders will also have a cavalier and casual attitude towards the inspiration of the scripture.
The dawn of the New Year offers us the opportunity to ask the questions:
How much of my ministry, teaching, preaching, and interacting is firmly centred on the Word of God?
Do I see the Bible as a prop for my ministry or as the 'cornerstone?'
Do I love the Word, meditate in the Word, and base my life entirely on the veracity of the Word?
Going forward, let the Word of God dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16 NKJV). Then, out of that richness, work to ground others in a certain trust in scripture.
Growing – Leadership influence ends at the point where the leader stops growing personally.
Christian leaders and mentors must understand that they cannot lead people to a higher plain of spiritual growth and development than they themselves have reached. Great leaders know that they must stay a step or two in front of those they lead. Organisms that cease to grow, wither and die. Nourishing others is not possible without first nourishing ourselves.
My brother-in-law, a professional music teacher, advised me when I was learning to play guitar to master one key only and then take a student to whom I could teach that chord. That way, by committing to instruct another, I would always need to be at least one key ahead.
Leaders who 'coast' will lead movements that are destined to 'coast,' and both will eventually lose their effectiveness. Leaders who succeed are constantly growing themselves.
As the New Year dawns, it is wise to ask the questions:
How do I intentionally posture myself on a personal growth curve?
What steps can I take to ensure that I always have something fresh, new, and living to offer the people I lead?
In 2024, what are my personal growth goals?
Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV).
Going – A comfortable, satisfied leader is a 'disobedient leader.' Great leaders are never satisfied with the 'status quo.' Although that may seem like a harsh statement, it must be seen in the light of the only imperative that Jesus left us with at His departure – therefore, go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19 NLT).
If we are not 'going' and not mobilizing others to 'go' and share the gospel's message, we are not obeying the Lord's primary instruction. We are circumventing the very purpose to which we are called as leaders and left on this earth. Comfortable immobility is the greatest enemy of obedience and the greatest transgression in Christian leadership.
As the New Year dawns, we need to ask the questions:
How am I personally involved, as a leader, in 'going?'
What priority am I placing on the Great Commission in my life and in my leadership of others?
Am I comfortable and satisfied with the ninety-nine sheep, or do I see the one that still needs to be found?
What plans do I personally have, and what definable leadership plans do I intend to execute to lean into obedient evangelism in 2024?
And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8 NLT). That imperative hasn't changed! No excuses are good enough to exempt any of us from the task.
Grace Filled – Great Christian leaders understand that lavish grace is imperative to the gospel message and will follow Peter's instruction to grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18 ).
The more time spent in the Presence of the grace-filled Jesus, the more grace-filled a leader will become.
The more time spent in the presence of broken and desperate people, the more grace-filled a leader will become.
Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14b NIV). The placement of Greek words in sentence structure is important, and it is no mistake that grace precedes truth in this verse. Truth shared from outside the perspective of grace turns into judgment, and the letter of the law is never life-giving.
We do not compromise the gospel or 'soft sell' the plight of people as we share the Good News. Rather, we learn to wrap the gospel in the incredible, unending grace of Christ.
We are not sent to judge the darkness; we are sent to shine the light of Jesus into the darkness. And only a 'grace-filled' Gospel will succeed in penetrating this present darkness.
As the New Year dawns, we need to ask the questions:
Do I speak the truth in love? Do I wrap the truth in grace?
Does the way I present the gospel push people away from God or draw them into the orbit of His grace?
How grace-filled are my messages and the teaching I do?
Is my interaction with others filled with grace?
Do I face disappointments and frustrations with grace or resentment?
As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ, we had authority to demand it. On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children. We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives (1 Thessalonians 2:6-8 BEREAN BIBLE).
Giving - Our supreme leader, Jesus, set the ultimate pattern for giving when He gave up the glories of heaven, took on the robe of flesh and offered His life up for us all.
In a world dominated by the selfish desire to 'get ahead,' great Christian leaders still believe that if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my (Jesus) sake, you will save it (Matthew 16:25 NLT).
The benchmark for great Christian leadership is not in the abundance of the things personally possessed but rather in the abundance of things freely and lavishly given. The giving heart is Jesus' heart. The greatest fulfillment in life and leadership does not come from grasping at things but from giving them away.
As the New Year dawns, it is wise to ask the questions:
Do I live to secure my own comfort or to bless others as I have been blessed?
Am I generous to a fault?
Do I believe the Lord's words that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35b - multiple translations)? How can I give as Jesus would give in the year ahead?
Can we determine to be like our God, who did not spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all?
God is not looking for 'resolutions' from us. He is looking for perpetual commitment. Leadership is all about constant, repeated, whole-life commitment. It is about establishing new levels in our own personal commitment and then drawing others to follow us in that quest.
Paul says it best: I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me (Philippians 3:12b NLT).
Al is an experienced pastor and counselor who works out of our ABNWT District Resource Centre in Edmonton as the Pastoral Care Coordinator. A pastor to the pastors, Al is a friend, mentor, and confidante to all.