There is a gaping chasm between Biblical leadership and secular leadership. Anyone pursuing the ideal of Biblical leadership must acknowledge that gap and be prepared to deal with it.
As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a leader. As a kid, I started a neighborhood club with the other kids my age so I could be in charge. Leadership meant being in charge and telling other kids what to do.
Perhaps my desire to lead and be in charge was my way of having a measure of control in my life. Maybe it was a desire to control others as my father controlled me. I’m not sure. I’ll leave that up to the shrinks in the room.
Fast forward a few years and the beginning of my career in sales. After two years, I was promoted into my first real role leading a team. Surrounded by ex-military leaders who led via command-and-control, I studied and mimicked their leadership. I cared about my salespeople only to the extent that they achieved their objectives and helped me look good to my bosses.
Command-and-control is the way I selfishly led my teams for years until I became a Christian and started reading the Bible. As I studied leadership in the Bible, I saw a different leadership model. I quickly realized that this is how I should lead as a new Christian.
In the Old Testament, there are a lot of examples of bad leaders and a few examples of Godly leaders. In the New Testament, however, we meet various leaders who shun the command-and-control leader model in favor of a Biblical leadership model.
Two Key Ways Biblical Leaders Are Different
There are two key differences between leaders who adopt a Biblical model of leadership over a secular leadership model. The first significant difference is who calls us to leadership. The second key difference is the desired result of our leadership.
God Specifically Calls Leaders
In the Biblical leadership model, the role of leaders is established by God. Therefore, biblical leaders recognize that God instituted the role of leaders and assume the mantle of leadership because God calls them.
The author of Hebrews confirms the role of God in calling leaders, saying,
“No one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father (Hebrews 5:4-5).
Jesus, in His earthly ministry, called each one of the disciples. The apostle Paul was called dramatically in his Damascus Road experience (Acts 9:1-19).
Today’s Biblical leaders may not have a spiritual Damascus Road experience like Paul. Still, they should be firmly convinced that they are being called to serve as a leader in a specific situation.
The Goal of Godly Leaders
The desired result of Biblical leaders is to draw others to God. Jesus expressed this desire in his message to the disciples saying,
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).
Biblical leaders know they are accountable to God and are responsible for moving others closer to Him.
Biblical Leadership is Serious Business
As a kid, I thought I could appoint myself as a leader. As an adult, I selfishly saw the role of leadership as how to get what was important to me.
Now, as a Christian, I realize the role of a leader is a unique and specific calling from God. A calling not to selfishly advance my own agenda but to bring others into a closer relationship with God.
There is a world of difference between the secular and Biblical leadership models. The differences lie in 1) who should assume the responsibility for leadership and 2) the desired result.
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.
- #487: Wise Workplace Disciples Have These 5 Character Traits in Common
- #484: Do You Recognize These 9 Warning Signs of a Failing Leader?
- #473: Are All Leaders Prone to Failure?
- #471: 7 Behavioral Do’s of Incredibly Effective Christian Leaders
- #444: Is It Important to Follow the Right Leaders?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you experienced Biblical leaders in secular environments? If so, what impact did their leadership have on the organization?
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Category: Personal Development | Character
God may call people to be biblical leaders, but I wish He would call some ethical, strong Christians to lead in the highest echelons of government! Because I haven’t been very impressed with the current lot!
Politics is a strange beast, isn’t it? Even among the Christians who enter into politics, it seems like, within a few months (or at best a few years), their moral compass has shifted away from God and in line with whatever will help them retain their power and get elected again. I wish there were term limits for more offices than the president!