Biblical Leadership – Success as a Christ-Centered LeaderSample

Make Your Move.

The last reading ended on a pretty heavy note – your leadership role, your job, the things you do in life… they all add up.

In this reading, we’ll take a breath and reflect on where this leaves us and what to do next.

First of all, know that God loves you and accepts you just as you are.

Your past does not matter. It’s not what you did or did not do, but about your heart instead. Christ’s sacrifice is adequate to perfect you no matter what.

Here’s the personalized version of that assurance:

You see, at just the right time, when you were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for you in this: While you were still a sinner, Christ died for you.  – Romans 5:6-8

Phew!

With the load of inadequacy, failure, neglect and whatever off your shoulders, you’re free to make a fresh start or re-start. One in which you can begin anew – this day, this week, this month – with increased focus as a Christ-centered leader.

The hardest part of this is not making the change: you can certainly do that – after all, making change is already part of your leadership toolkit, isn’t it? 

The hard part is rolling out the change in your working style – without a corporate mandate or target to point to. As you make your fresh start or re-start, others will see the changes. They may ask what’s going on and why you’re making those changes.

Honestly, that may put you in a tough spot. 

Even King Saul – the first “CEO” of the Jewish nation found a challenge. Listen to what he tells the prophet Samuel about why he modified the assignment given to him:

Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. – 1 Samuel 15:24

Saul was the CEO with all power to hire & fire, and here he was being afraid of his own men!

It has been said that fear and greed are the two most common motivators in any organization. Greed may be the more obvious point of failure in our Christian walk, but do not underestimate the impact of fear – especially fear of what others may think!

As you prepare to strengthen the “Christ-centeredness” of your leadership, remember this verse:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  – Joshua 1:9

God wants you to succeed in blessing others through your leadership. So make your start (or re-start), and then – like Joshua – keep the faith and watch God’s hand at work in your life and the lives that you touch!

Reflection / Application

1. Do you think that Christ-centered leadership is achievable for you? Why or why not?

2. What does it look like to roll out a renewed focus on leveraging your identity in Christ in your leadership? Can you formalize those thoughts into an action plan?

3. What are the 2 or 3 things that you expect people to notice about the changes you plan? How will you explain these to those who ask? Check Luke 12:11-12, Luke 21:14-15 and 1 Peter 3:15.