Biblical Leadership – Success as a Christ-Centered LeaderSample

The Blessing.

Last time, we saw the power of the deceiver and the lie of corporate culture – building you up to be prestigious, respected, glorified.

This time, we look to the one who is really to be glorified – no matter what level of leadership you might hold, how big your budget, how many staff or how great your influence.

As you know, God created you for His glory:

Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.  – Isaiah 43:7

And look at how the Bible says you should glorify God in everything you do:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Whatever you do” means bringing glory to God at work also. 

But how does this apply to your leadership role? After all, you’re paid to be there to generate certain results, not to play spiritual leader, right?

For insight, let’s look to the example of Jesus… and let’s do that by summarizing his leadership assignment in a modern-day business context:

Launch a new culture/product, to be implemented locally in a 3-year project plan, with global roll-out by your team thereafter.

There is no budget, and you will need to find your own team without use of existing staff (Levites & priests) or facilities (synagogues).

Talk about a challenge!!

Once he starts, Jesus is on a 3-year non-stop road trip. He completes the assignment (you are proof of that!) but still found time along the way to serve as the hands and feet of God to those most needing it.

No matter what your leadership role or project assignment, you are called to do the same – to be a blessing to others, just as Jesus was. 

How you do that is very simple, but also extremely challenging.

It’s simple because you just need to remember your identity in Christ as you go through the day – taking time to listen, to help others, to care. This is good leadership practice anyway, and as Christ-centered leaders, you have infinite resources to draw on to make this happen. (Helpful verse: James 1:5)

But it’s also so very challenging because it takes time away from your own 3-year road trip – putting others first, delays, extra overhead and more. In short, it feels like this will make you less effective, and probably also less successful.

Or will it?

What the call to be like Jesus in your leadership really does is force you to think – and think hard – about what your true calling is. And, about how you define success.

Earthy wisdom tells us that the numbers, the metrics, the accomplishments come first. But in God’s economy – your economy – the way you serve as His hands and feet is even more important than any specific achievement.

Think of it this way: there’s a performance review at the end of days, just you and God meeting and reviewing how things went in your “assignment”. 

Will you hear the words “Well done, good & faithful servant?”

Reflection / Application

1. Jesus had the 3-year non-stop road trip to complete his assignment, yet he found time to serve. How about you? 

2. Our earthly culture rewards achievement & progress. Do you think these are also important in God’s economy? Why or why not?

3. God would never suggest that you skip your assigned duties as you help others. Read Colossians 3:23-24 and reflect on the balance between helping/serving and “getting things done” in your job. If you are skewed to one side or the other – which would it be?