Christian Leadership
- William Vogel
- Oct 22, 2017
- 3 min read
Spiritual Leadership Is Different There are many definitions of leadership from many different sources. Here is a list of just a few; 1. Leadership is the ability of one to persuade. 2.Leadership is all about influence. 3.Leadership requires follower-ship. 4.Leadership involves enlisting, mobilizing and purpose. All good definitions Christian or Spirit driven Leadership involves a deeper identity, it is a Spiritual dimension to Leadership. As a former businessman now full time in ministry, I have experienced the added advantage of Holy Spirit which is afforded to all who know and love Jesus as their Savior and Lord. So many times when I have seen the impossible overcome not by my expertise or talents, but by God opening a door or closing a door. I have learned God can take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. The Holy Spirit of God Himself lives in you if you have taken the true name, Christian. Imagine that God Himself living in and directing your paths. This is the same God who knows all and made all. Talk about an added advantage for all of us to thank Almighty God for. This translates into a new definition of Leadership. I love the definition of Leadership Richard Blackaby uses. "Spiritual leadership is moving people on God's agenda". This is to include all people; not just Gods people. We are called to exert influence in both the "Christian world" as well as the secular. As Christian leaders, we give up the top position to the King of Kings and Lord of all. We recognize, we serve Him and it is His agenda that counts for our lives. We recognize the all knowing, everywhere, all powerful God. Leadership as a Christian first is about being, which should lead to doing. This is the tension that many in Christian leadership do not understand. We must be before we can effectively do. The great Oswald Chambers put this way, he said, "There is no such thing as a self made spiritual leader." As Beth and I continue our bbexcellentadventure.com we are constantly being reminded of God working. God is sovereign over everything and all He is looking for is obedience. He wants only one thing, He wants those who lead to be yielded to His will and shaped according to His purposes. God provides the vision. God provides the resources. God provides the people. God provides the strategy and God provides the results. He wants our leadership to bring glory to him. This is why Character is so important for people who follow to witness. How our leader handles position, power and persona are tell tale signs of whether they are truly Godly leaders. By your fruits you will know them. We have watched as we lead, just how important prayer is. The prayers of those who uphold us with lifting us up in prayer are so important. The fact is the prayer life of a God fearing leader is of utmost importance. Prayer life is critical because nothing and I mean nothing happens without God knowing it. Remember that the Holy Spirit of God is living in you and interprets the words and thoughts of a Spirit filled Christian. Spiritual leadership looks to eternal values and eternal rewards. It is certainly exciting to live a life that honors God here on earth, and the abundance of joy, peace and love here on earth God rewards each person who has chosen Christ to be their Savior. The fact is that the dividends and the greatest gift is to be with God for all of eternity in the mansion He has prepared for us in heaven. The bottom line; Spiritual leadership is all about focus and a deeper understanding of Gods ways rather than mans ways. The added advantage of God living in you, (Holy Spirit) should change how you as a leader deal with obstacles and challenges. It helps a leader to move out boldly with great confidence. Leaders seek Gods direction and watch God bring the results and the success you seek. Then help others to do the same by encouraging and helping others onto Gods agenda.