Developing CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

There are, of course, many definitions of leadership and, because these can vary enormously, they have the potential to generate frustration, disappointment and disillusionment for followers. For example, there are likely to be great differences between what is considered to be good leadership in a secular organisation compared with what is seen to be desirable for good leadership in a Christian organisation or a church. The standards that are set in each case will depend either on the world view or management style that is adopted by each organisation or else it will simply be determined by the person in charge of the day-to-day affairs. "The essential difference between Christian Leadership and other styles which might be referred to as 'leadership' is that it has at its heart the spiritual growth and empowerment of individual people within the context of the development of the Kingdom of God" (Trevor Summerlin) Although there are always going to be differences of styles and approach regarding the practice of leadership, there are clearly many common factors which are related to the issues of how to make progress, development and change, whatever form these may take. Every organisation, activity or group of people will require some form of leadership if they are to function effectively and achieve their desired purpose. Whether they are professional or amateur, private or corporate, paid or unpaid, business or voluntary, secular or spiritual, formal or casual, in every sphere of life regardless of age or experience, the quality of leadership will determine the levels of their success. Leadership, by its very nature, is not carried out in isolation because it will always involve working with other people. It is, therefore, a team activity which will incorporate many different elements such as; vision, recruitment, management, motivation, support, encouragement, planning, and so on. The fundamental principles of good practice in leadership will always be needed regardless of the circumstances under which they are exercised. Therefore, some of the some of the most important questions to be addressed at this point are: 1) where can we find these fundamental principles of good leadership?, 2) are there certain rules of leadership which must be followed?, 3) are people born as leaders or are they trained?, and 4) is it purely a matter for the person in charge to make all the decisions? Daniel Lancaster, in his book "Training Radical Leaders", maintains there are four essential qualities that are required to become an effective leader:- Knowledge, Character, Skills and Motivation. He says - "Without knowledge, wrong assumptions and misunderstandings will misdirect the leader. Without character, the leader will make moral and spiritual mistakes that hamper the mission. Without necessary skills, the leader will continuously reinvent the wheel or use outdated methods. Finally. the leader with knowledge, character and skill but no motivation will care only for the status quo and preserving their own position" (Lancaster 2014). As a Christian I believe our manual on how to best manage all aspects of human life is The Holy Bible and that this is the place therefore where we can find God's strategies on how to conduct our lives in ways that will produce the best results. In other words, it tells us what actions and behaviours will be the most beneficial and successful both for ourselves and for others. Everyone knows the best way to find out how to operate any technical piece of equipment is to consult the makers instructions and many people will have had the experience of trying to put together a flat-pack piece of furniture without first attempting to understand the instructions. It can have disastrous consequences.