BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP: SHEPHERDING WITH INTEGRITY

Biblical leadership is what all leaders are expected to employ as they influence others. Leadership is a responsibility that can take many forms, but Biblical leadership is a unique vocation that calls individuals to guide others not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).


THREE QUESTIONS THIS POST WILL ANSWER

1. What is Biblical Leadership?
   
2. How does it differ from leadership in general?
   
3. What can we do to become better Biblical Leaders?
   
   
   

BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP DEFINED
Biblical leadership is fully explained in the Holy Bible, God’s inerrant Word for us. Biblical leadership is the act of influencing and guiding individuals according to the principles outlined in the Scriptures. It stands apart from secular leadership in its foundation, methods, and goals.


BIBLICAL VS. NON-BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP
While secular leadership often prioritizes personal success and organizational goals, Biblical leadership is characterized by a servant’s heart, as exemplified by Jesus when He washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:14-15). It is not about authority or prestige, but about humble service (Matthew 20:26-28).


Biblical leadership is focused on:
• Serving others before self
• Surrendering to Christ and relying on His direction
• Discerning decisions that Christ is making through the Holy Spirit


Non-Biblical leadership is focused on:
• Leading in one’s own strength
• Relying on one’s own wisdom
• Making decisions on where and how to lead people without God’s direction


EMBRACING THE HEART OF A BIBLICAL LEADER
To become better stewards of this call, we can incorporate several practices into our lives, such as:

1. Servanthood Over Leadership
   Embrace the mindset of serving rather than leading. Jesus said, "The greatest among you will be your servant" (Matthew 23:11). This requires a heart that puts others' needs above one's own ambitions.
   
   
   
2. Surrender to Divine Guidance
   A Biblical leader seeks God’s will above all else. King Solomon, known for his wisdom, understood the value of seeking God’s guidance when he said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
   
   
   
3. Spirit-Led Discernment
   Making decisions under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is vital. Acts 15:28 exemplifies this with the words, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us..." This underscores the importance of seeking the Spirit’s counsel in all decisions.
   
   
   

BECOMING A MORE BIBLICAL LEADER
In pursuit of becoming a more biblical leader, consider these daily actions:
Today, I will strive to become a more biblical leader by taking the following actions:

1. Daily Intentional Prayer and Meditation: Commit to a daily practice of prayer and meditation on God’s Word. David exemplifies this in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
   
2. Seeking Christ’s Direction More Often: Regularly ask Christ for direction in your decisions, echoing the prayer of Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
   
3. Cultivating a Heart of Continuous Surrender: Practice surrendering your plans to Christ, following Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
   
   
   

CONCLUSION
By integrating these principles and practices into our lives, we can move closer to the Biblical paradigm of leadership. It’s a journey of continuous growth, requiring patience, humility, and an unwavering focus on the ultimate leader, Christ Himself.


Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. November
06, 2023
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. Note: All scriptures quoted are from the NIV.
If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ.