The Five Principles For Christian Global LeadersSample

SACRIFICE

The way of Christianity is the way of sacrifice. In the gospels, we see the ultimate sacrifice in Christ laying his life down for his sheep (John 10:15). When Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross, He is calling us to live a life of sacrifice. 

The same is true of Romans 12:1 when the Apostle Paul tells us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice.” The word bodies in this verse means our whole person. To put it plainly, we as Christ followers are commanded to live every part of our lives sacrificially. This includes our leadership. 

Christian leaders are called to lead in a sacrificial way. One who is a sacrificial leader is someone who views himself first and foremost as a servant. The key to sacrificial leadership is motivation. A true servant sacrifices, not to receive something in return, but does it for the common good of those around him  and for the glory of God. 

Compare this to the way that non-Christian leaders primarily lead. In our culture today we are told to make it to the top and to do whatever it takes to get there. We are told that we are to make a way for ourselves so that we have more possessions and power. This is a very self-centered way of viewing leadership. 

Another thing we see in this passage in Romans is that we are called to be holy. The word holy means to be set apart or different. 

While the non-Christian leader sacrifices others for his own good, the Christian leader is called to sacrifice himself for the good of others. 

If a leader's motivation is about a personal payoff such as larger congregations or more notoriety, the focus moves away from sacrifice and toward selfish ambition. Because our hearts are so deceptive (Jer. 17:9) the Christian leader must be intentional in keeping a close watch on what it is that is fueling his leadership. 

Throughout the Bible, we see that servanthood is a requirement of the Christian leader. If we want to be the type of leaders that glorify God and do good for others then we must view ourselves as servants who lead sacrificially.