A Passion For Position By Afrika MhlopheSample

Christian Leaders Are Christians First

I have found that leadership doesn’t start with a leader finding a bunch of people to bark orders at. It starts with a leader ordering their life so as to be an example that others would want to emulate. Another way of looking at it would be to say that a leader who walks in the right direction will have no trouble finding people who want to follow them. They won’t have to campaign or canvass for followers, but will find them at every turn.

A Christian leader is a Christian first, before they are a leader. Therefore, they are not exempt from the obligations and responsibilities that are part and parcel of every follower of Christ. They are not supposed to just preach God’s Word without doing it (see James 1:22). In fact, a person who lives out their faith is more effective than the one who merely preaches it.

A Christian leader not only leads well, but also lives well. They live well with themselves, with their family and with their neighbors. Their neighbors, even though they might be unsaved, see in the leader a person with high moral and ethical standards. 

In other words, the leader should have a good reputation and those who are not part of their congregation should know them to be a kind and hospitable person. It is this testimony that is likely to draw outsiders into their congregation. Leaders must live with Matthew 5:16 at the forefront of their minds. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (CSB).