December 15, 2018 ● 18-10
Eph. 6:7-9: With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Col. 3:23-24: Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
The Bible is the best leadership book ever written. I enjoy reading books on leadership and studying leadership both from a secular and biblical perspective. I have several books on leadership in my office. Why should Christians be interested in leadership? Leadership is not just for the secular world; it is very important to the Christian as well. Churches and ministries rise and fall based on leadership, or lack of.
Because of what God’s Word teaches us about leadership, the Christian should be the best employee a company can have, and be the best employer a worker can have. Why? Because we represent the God who loves and forgives, the God of compassion and the God of grace. We also represent the God of justice who does not, “grade on a curve” in matters of the conduct of our lives. But even greater, Christians should be the best leaders in the body of Christ, the church. Pastors are leaders, deacons are leaders, Sunday School teachers are leaders – all Christians are leaders.
I would like to share with you two important methods of leadership that are true regardless of whether you lead inside or outside the church:
1. Leadership by intimidation. Leaders who lead by intimidation use threats and “strong arm” tactics to get workers to do what they want. Workers will get the job done, but they will resent the leader for it. Leadership by intimidation produces fear and distrust, and given the chance, in this type of environment, workers will jump ship for a better work environment. Leaders who lead by intimidation learn to sleep with, “one eye open” because they trust no one and no one trusts them. Intimidating leaders are lonely people.
2. Leadership by inspiration. Leaders who lead by inspiration encourage their workers, affirm their workers, and help them to do their best. This does not mean that leaders who inspire are push-overs; it means this type of leader wants the best for his workers and company and tries to lead the workers to want the same. Will workers slack off in this type of environment? Sure they will because we are all sinners with a sin nature. But if encouragement does not work, leaders may have to “encourage” these type of workers “out the door!”
Godly leaders lead by example; there should be nothing in their lives that take away from their relationship with Christ, and nothing that would cause those they lead to pause and wonder about the kind of person they are.
Let God’s Word equip you to be the worker and/or leader that honors God. Lead by inspiration.