Effective Christian Leadership

God called us to Himself first and foremost before asking us to offer service. Jesus said to disciples:

"Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Mark 1:17 NKJV

Following precedes the making so God wants us to follow Him so closely and allow Him to make us what He wanted. Jesus is the one who calls us to Himself. 

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Mark 3:13 NKJV

Never call yourself and fix an assignment for yourself because it will fail. No one comes to authority except God allows him. 

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Romans 13:1 NKJV

For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. Psalm 75:6-7 NKJV

God will never be stuck. If a person refuses to serve Him faithfully He replaces them without apology. Clear examples in the Bible are Saul and David, Moses and Joshua. This has been evident in my eyes especially in ministry.

God also does not call the qualified, but qualifies those He calls 

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8:30 NKJV

All what this teaches us is that it is not about the called, but the One Who calls. He can call and qualify whomever He choses. This should cause us to humbly and gratefully serve Him and His people, shunning pride and rebellion. 

How does one become effective in leadership or service in the kingdom of God?

1. Commitment to the One who called you. Double mindedness has no place in leadership.

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James1:6-8 NKJV

...for whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:23b NKJV

Seek what He wants you to do and do it accurately. Give His assignment a number one priority with total commitment.


2. Submission to God and those above you. If you can't honour those God has placed over you and serve God under their leadership then it's best to step down and be led. The Bible commands us to submit to spiritual authority.

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NKJV

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17 NKJV


3. Total obedience to every instruction. Saul thought he was above Samuel and this costed him his leadership which Samuel had actually ordained him to. Obeying halfway is the same as disobedience.

So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23 NKJV

Whatever the Lord tells you, do it (John 2:5). 

4. Right intention of heart. Never serve or lead to be noticed or to receive reward of men. 

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 NKJV

If you take the praise of men, that’s it; expect no other reward from God. With right intent you will not murmur or complain against the service or ministry of God.


5. Wisdom and knowledge which comes from God must reign over all you say or do. Be careful of what you say to those you serve because they regard you as an authority. Seek His wisdom in everything you do or say by praying and reading His Word. Get knowledge through interactive discussion with the people God has brought your way and also by reading/ watching right materials. If you take in garbage in expect to produce garbage out. One will most likely be like his or her acquaintances. Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 NKJV


6. Love those you lead or serve. Love covers multitude of sins (1 Pet. 4:8). Love is the core foundation of service. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 shows the characteristics of real love, the God kind of love. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NKJV

With love you will pray for those you lead. 

7. Pray and seek God in all instances and take time to listen from Him. As a leader you are God's vessel of service, and so you should remain in fellowship with Him to know how He wants you to serve. Be His hands and feet, allowing Him to lead and serve through you. He came to serve, and still wants to serve through us. 

"...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NKJV

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NKJV

Let's imitate Christ, who Himself said that He didn't do anything on His own, but always submitted to the Father's authority. 

For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:49-50 NKJV

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. John 5:19 NKJV

8. Be a good example to others. In your talk, looks, character and all, as you endeavour to lead by example. Your life is now not your own, but to God you belong.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Cor 6:19-20 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

...in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Titus 2:7-8 NKJV

9. Learn to take good rest so as to give yourself time to reflect on next steps of growth in your walk with Christ and also get ideas on how to move the followers to next level. Again, your body is not your own but God's, and so should be well taken care of. Rest is good for your body. I recommend you to look for and read God's Generals, a book by Roberts Liardon that talks of Christian leaders during the 18th and 19th Century who did great things for God and how some had their work on earth cut shot because they did not take good care of their physical bodies. Feel free to email us or leave your email in the comments section to get a soft copy of the same.


10. Return to God glory always. He does not share His glory with anyone. 

I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images. Isaiah 42:8 NKJV

Amen. 

   Pastor Mary Mugo

Leadership training at Teaching Transformation Ministry, Joska.


Pastor Mary is a pastor at Teaching Transformation Ministry. We are located along the Thika-Ruai Flyover Junction (at the Thika Rd./ Bypass intersection), Next to Eastgate Restaurant.