David, this is such a good post. I am with you 100%. It makes me think that, in addition to the biblical texts you've mentioned, any course on leadership should include the following:
David Watson has summarized with clarity the essentials for those of us who desire to lead motivated by the highest ideals of Jesus’ calling. Character determines lasting legacy.
I love this posting, Dr. Watson. This article confirms why Paul’s requirements for Christian leaders, primarily list’s the candidate’s lives to reflect the character of Christ, rather than their educational pedigrees.
Quietly ordering one's life eludes the screen-driven leader unless he's been born of the Spirit. Jesus said "the flesh is no help at all" (John 6:63). Trying to skip lightly past this part to get on with the templates of success is "no help at all."
Good post! You are spot on to note that we started seeking for leadership skills somewhere along the way. It isn’t all bad, as you observed.
Of course, seeking leadership skills is problematic. As Scott Adams observed, “you don’t need leadership to get people to eat warm cookies.” So as a leader I may need to influence people to do something difficult or unpleasant, and I may overlook their individual interests or redefine “ the good” in a situation to suit my vision, thus making it essential to be very close to Jesus or else I risk just exercising dominance.In a time when I knew I had to shift my style , I knew one way of looking at what I needed to do, was to exercise leadership.
I am not suited to that naturally, but a Christ-centered shift to ‘Leading’ is possible. I would recommend leading by telling stories, it’s more rabbinic and kind of fun.
When being a pastor or priest became a career path which started in seminary, the self-selection of academically oriented individuals was a predictable result. Four years later, these shiny young seminary graduates arrived in their new congregations with lots of book knowledge (one hopes), but many had very limited experience "in the real world." The seminary model of discipleship (advisor, classes, and an environment where everyone's focus is ecclesiastical) didn't easily translate to servant leadership in a local church. Rather than assessing whether starting with rarefied academic training was the Bible's model of raising elders/pastors/bishops, courses about "leadership" and the "nuts and bolts" of church management were added.
Church leadership selected out of the faithful members (evidenced in the management of their inner lives and their households and their service to the church body) seems a better foundation upon which to add specialized knowledge as deemed necessary.
Luke 16:10-11 NASB95
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?"
Respectfully, I disagree with this analysis. It's not one or the other. It's not Bible/theology or experience/character. We don't want people in our pulpits who don't have a firm grasp of Scripture or our doctrines. We don't want shepherds who will lead people into error.
I absolutely agree that pastors must be "able to teach" and "defenders of the faith," and have deep understanding of the Bible and church history. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I was trying to contrast starting with character and adding knowledge vs starting with knowledge and trusting that character will follow.
Great post. I would say Essential to Christian Leadership is 1. A heart that yearns for God and listens to God's leadership instructions. 2. Character that follows the example of Jesus. 3. Chemistry where the leader fits in with their team and their organization's God-given goals. 4. Competence. If you get these out of order, then you have a mega mess.
David, this is such a good post. I am with you 100%. It makes me think that, in addition to the biblical texts you've mentioned, any course on leadership should include the following:
The Didache
1st Clement
The Rule of St Benedict
Julian of Norwich
David Watson has summarized with clarity the essentials for those of us who desire to lead motivated by the highest ideals of Jesus’ calling. Character determines lasting legacy.
I love this posting, Dr. Watson. This article confirms why Paul’s requirements for Christian leaders, primarily list’s the candidate’s lives to reflect the character of Christ, rather than their educational pedigrees.
Thank you Dr. Watson for hitting the nail squarely on the head!
Quietly ordering one's life eludes the screen-driven leader unless he's been born of the Spirit. Jesus said "the flesh is no help at all" (John 6:63). Trying to skip lightly past this part to get on with the templates of success is "no help at all."
Good post! You are spot on to note that we started seeking for leadership skills somewhere along the way. It isn’t all bad, as you observed.
Of course, seeking leadership skills is problematic. As Scott Adams observed, “you don’t need leadership to get people to eat warm cookies.” So as a leader I may need to influence people to do something difficult or unpleasant, and I may overlook their individual interests or redefine “ the good” in a situation to suit my vision, thus making it essential to be very close to Jesus or else I risk just exercising dominance.In a time when I knew I had to shift my style , I knew one way of looking at what I needed to do, was to exercise leadership.
I am not suited to that naturally, but a Christ-centered shift to ‘Leading’ is possible. I would recommend leading by telling stories, it’s more rabbinic and kind of fun.
When being a pastor or priest became a career path which started in seminary, the self-selection of academically oriented individuals was a predictable result. Four years later, these shiny young seminary graduates arrived in their new congregations with lots of book knowledge (one hopes), but many had very limited experience "in the real world." The seminary model of discipleship (advisor, classes, and an environment where everyone's focus is ecclesiastical) didn't easily translate to servant leadership in a local church. Rather than assessing whether starting with rarefied academic training was the Bible's model of raising elders/pastors/bishops, courses about "leadership" and the "nuts and bolts" of church management were added.
Church leadership selected out of the faithful members (evidenced in the management of their inner lives and their households and their service to the church body) seems a better foundation upon which to add specialized knowledge as deemed necessary.
Luke 16:10-11 NASB95
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?"
Respectfully, I disagree with this analysis. It's not one or the other. It's not Bible/theology or experience/character. We don't want people in our pulpits who don't have a firm grasp of Scripture or our doctrines. We don't want shepherds who will lead people into error.
I absolutely agree that pastors must be "able to teach" and "defenders of the faith," and have deep understanding of the Bible and church history. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I was trying to contrast starting with character and adding knowledge vs starting with knowledge and trusting that character will follow.
Great article. Couldn’t agree more.
Great post. I would say Essential to Christian Leadership is 1. A heart that yearns for God and listens to God's leadership instructions. 2. Character that follows the example of Jesus. 3. Chemistry where the leader fits in with their team and their organization's God-given goals. 4. Competence. If you get these out of order, then you have a mega mess.