Inspired LeadershipSample

John Stott, a humble man 

I like the phrase said by Thomas Carlyle, "An example is far more valuable than 1,000 arguments."

We don't need dictators and arguments in difficult situations. We need leaders who will show us what we need to do through their life models. This is what John Stott did throughout half of the 20th century before he died on July 27, 2011. John was one of the greatest Christian leaders of Britain who had a profound influence on people throughout the world through his commitment to teaching and a life that was based on Bible truth.

Even in a recent article in Christianity Today, Tim Stafford recalled what was said by a Latin American theologian, Rene Padilla, about one of his first meetings with Stott. "The night before, we arrived in Bariloche, Argentina during heavy rain. The streets were filled with mud, and as a result, our shoes were filled with mud when we arrived to our room. The next morning, when I woke up, I heard a brush. John was busy brushing my shoes. ‘John!’ I exclaimed, ‘What are you doing?’ ‘Rene,’ he answered, ‘Jesus taught us to wash one another's feet. You don't need me to wash your feet, but I can brush your shoes. '"

In the same article, Stafford quoted the theologian David Wells, who was converted when John Stott came to South Africa in 1959. "His leadership was an effective leadership," Wells said, "... because of his integrity and his Christian life. People who know Stott always return to this point. Stott is known throughout the world, but when you meet him, Stott is the humblest and pious Christian you have ever known. His personal life is no different from his public life. He is the same person. That is another way of saying that he has integrity. There is no pretense. "

A true leader is a leader who serves. They serve people. They serve their best interests, so they may not always be popular or impressive. But because true leaders are motivated by love and not by a desire to get the glory for themselves, they are willing to pay the price. (Eugene B. Habecker).

Reflection: People in this world are looking for reliable leaders. Leaders with integrity. Leaders with character. A leader whose actions are the same as what he says. Leaders set an example with their own lives. Have you become a leader like that? Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to be a leader that pleases God and people.