What differentiates Christian leaders from the secular business world is the “why” and “how” of leading the organization.
The focus is on results in the secular business world, usually in profit or return on investment. However, for Christian leaders, another focus is even more important, and that is our “why.” This is the reason we lead, and the business exists to serve God’s people and glorify God.
If God blesses the business with success, that’s a reward but not the primary motive of the Christian leader.
The “how” of a Christian leader is focused on behaviors that will serve God’s people and glorify God while building a successful organization.
7 Behavioral Do’s
In his book, “Be Successful; Be Spiritual! How to Serve God in The Workplace,” author John Temple identifies seven behaviors required of effective Christian leaders.
1. Diligence
Effective Christian leaders recognize God as their ultimate employer, working diligently as though they were working for God. Writing to the Colossians, Paul said,
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Col 3:23)
Solomon also emphasized the importance of working diligently no matter your station or job in life.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” (Eccl 9:10)
2. Excellence
Shoddy work does not glorify God, so Christian leaders strive for excellence in everything they do. Writing to the Corinthians, Paul said,
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31)
Quality work glorifies God and is a witness to the world. I’ve had many workers come into my home who claimed to be Christians yet did shoddy work, or worse, left without finishing what they started. Shoddy, defective, incomplete work is not the testimony a Christian leader wants to have.
3. Motivation
A Christian leader’s primary driver or motivation is love for God and a desire to glorify Him. Continuing his instructions to the Colossians, Paul stressed that the motivation for the Christian is to serve the Lord.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:23-24)
Yes, making money is essential. We all have bills to pay. But for the Christian leader, our primary motivation in our work is to serve the Lord.
4. Integrity
It is impossible to study the scripture and not notice the over two dozen times God exhorts leaders to be men and women of integrity.
Verses like 1 Kings 9:4 are typical. God commands Solomon to “walk with integrity of heart and uprightness.” God promises Solomon that if he obeys God entirely and consistently, God will bless him (1 Kings 9:5). However, God warned Solomon that failure to follow God and keep His commands would result in severe punishment (1 Kings 9:6).
The importance of a leader’s integrity is also emphasized in the New Testament. James implored believers “to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
James emphasized this instruction to leaders, saying a leader must not only know the right path, but they must also follow through with their actions.
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
It’s not enough for effective leaders to know what God expects of us regarding how we lead, but that we act on that knowledge!
5. Faithfulness
Jesus taught the disciples about the importance of faithfulness in the Parable of the Talents. Recall, in this parable, a master gave money to three servants to invest while he was away. When the master returned, he commended the servants who invested well, saying,
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.” (Matthew 25:21)
Paul reinforced Jesus’ teaching in his letter to the Corinthians, stating:
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Cor 4:2)
Effective Christian leaders are faithful. All their various constituents, be they employers, employees, or customers, trust them to do the work they are called to do even when no one is watching!
6. Submission
When I was growing up in the business world in the old days, I was surrounded by ex-military men and women. They were accustomed to a chain of command and expected subordinates to submit to their authority.
The practice of obeying or submitting to authority seems to have gone out of fashion. Employees now demand their “rights” for special treatment and expect their leaders to bow to their demands!
Christian leaders, however, are expected to submit to authority. As Paul said in his letter to Christians in Rome,
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1)
And again, in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reinforced his teaching to submit to authority, saying,
“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ.” (Eph 6:5)
Paul’s admonition to submit to authority carries one caveat, and that is to submit “as you would to Christ.” So, we are to submit if what is being asked of us does not go against God’s principles. However, when a leader asks us to go against God, we have no responsibility to submit. Remember, Jesus himself stormed the Temple and angrily drove out the moneychangers and others corrupting the worship of God (Mark 11:15-17).
7. Evangelism
Pastors have an hour or so every week to teach God’s principles to an audience mainly composed of people who have already decided to follow Christ.
But as a Christian leader, you have 40 or more hours a week to reach your co-workers, who likely are not believers. Work, and specifically your actions as a leader, are an evangelistic opportunity.
Jesus emphasized this opportunity in His instructions to the disciples,
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
Our Testimony Matters
Everything we say and do as Christian leaders in the workplace is a testimony to our lives in Christ. But, do our lives reflect these seven behaviors of effective Christian leaders?
More Articles
I have written several articles recently on a leader’s character. You can find them by typing “Character” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites.
- #444: Is It Important to Follow the Right Leaders?
- #443: The Folly of Wasting God’s Gift of Discernment
- #442: What We Do Matters. Who We Are Matters More!
- #440: If You Are Green with Envy, You Are Ripe for Trouble!
- #435: How Do Good Leaders Exercise Their Authority in The Service of Others?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. How are you doing with each of these seven behaviors? Are there some areas where you need to improve as a leader?
I’d love your help. This blog is read primarily because of people like you who share it with friends. Would you be kind enough to share it by pressing the share button?
Category: Personal Development | Character
All important behaviors. Integrity stands out to me, because we often see it lacking in today’s leadership.
Soo true John! As I engage with business people around the world the most often voiced complaint about businesspeople is a lack of integrity. The lack of integrity certainly extends to our government officials, and even, sadly, into our churches!