Christlike Leaders for Every Church and SectorSýnishorn

Christlike Leaders for Every Church and Sector

What makes or breaks a Christian leader?

What sets apart the leaders who finish the race well from those who flounder before the finish line?

These are good questions for every Christian leader to reflect on, especially because the answer could help determine the outcome of our personal leadership journey.

Consider for a moment how many Christian leaders you know personally or by reputation who have left the ministry because of personal moral failure.

Chances are you can probably name a few.

Why does it seem that moral failure is endemic to Christian leadership?

Is it the system? Lack of proper theological training? Lack of practical training? Could it be the poor vetting of young pastors? Is it the lack of spiritual or emotional health? Poor doctrine? Lack of holistic discipleship?

These can certainly contribute to the personal failure of our church leaders, but there is one overarching reality at the heart of it.

We have an enemy.

Peter describes this enemy as a prowling lion, seeking to devour and neutralise us (1 Peter 5:8); Jesus described him as the father of lies (John 8:44) whose primary aim is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). His name is Satan, and he wages war against us with the evil powers in the unseen realm (Ephesians 6:12).

While all Christians are targeted in the war the evil one wages, some are more targeted than others. Satan is not too concerned about the Christians on the battlefield who are passive bystanders. No enemy is concerned by passivity because passivity is as good as neutrality, and neutrality is as good as allegiance. But the moment believers step up and engage in the call of God to share the gospel and make disciples, they become targets of his attack. None more so than spiritual leaders.

In Japan, there is an expression: “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down”.

This was true for Jesus. The moment Jesus 'stuck out', Satan wanted to hammer him down. During the first 30 years of Jesus' life, it seems as if he lived in relative obscurity; we have no record of any political or spiritual opposition. However, from the moment he stepped out of the crowd to be baptised by John in Jordan, he became a target of Satan and a target of the Jewish political and religious leaders. The moment after his baptism, Satan attempted to neutralise him through the temptations of this world. He stepped out of obscurity and into the crosshairs of the enemy. Likewise, the moment a believer steps out of spiritual neutrality, they step into the crosshair of the enemy. None more so than spiritual leaders.

Why do some Christian leaders fail? Because they had an enemy who prowled after them, longing for an opportunity to destroy them.

On the other hand, why do other Christian leaders succeed? Because they had a saviour who directed their way to victory.

In John 16:33, Jesus told us that despite our many trials and sorrows, we should take heart because he has overcome the world.

Let that soak in for a moment.

Take heart. He has overcome.

Jesus Christ is the only one who has ever overcome the powers of evil in this world.

If we seek victory, we need to seek Jesus.

If we seek to overcome, then in every season, we need to humble ourselves and sit at the feet of rabbi Jesus, submitting ourselves to becoming his disciples.

Discipleship to Jesus is the difference between victory and failure. More particularly, wholehearted discipleship to Jesus, in and through every season determines whether leaders finish the race or flounder before the finish line.

Christlike leaders overcome.

If we want to see the church of Jesus Christ thrive in our time, then we need Christlike leaders for every church and sector.