The Jesus’ Leadership Style Many people think leadership is the ability to influence people regardless of title, position, fame, salary, or accomplishments. Some people believe leaders are due through training, not from natural birth is leadership. Also may be true that some people were born with talents. However, if not practice, not orientation, not of blood, not experience, not able to grow in the ability of their leaders. A leader should also remember that the good leaders are continually working and studying to improve the skills of their responsibility. This requires them to be a clear commitment to continuous improvement in every effort that they have options. Many people think leadership is power. No, it is not the way threatening people and making them fearful to obey. A leader must encourage people achieve the goal of the organization. He contributed to the organization and the associated group. This is the place people on the same ship, and helping each other to see the whole picture of the project. A leader is an influence person rather than a boss. In the book Developing the Leader Within You, John Maxwell writes: “Leadership is influence. That’s it. Nothing more; nothing less. My favorite leadership proverb is: He who thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk”. Maxwell quotes James C. Georges: “Leadership is the ability to obtain followers.” (1) While Christian leaders regularly praise Jesus for his graciousness and his marvelous works recorded in Scripture, few people adequately portray the clarity and the simplicity of Jesus’ leadership while he was on earth. Oftentimes, people in search for dynamic leadership examples stretch information in order to use historical figures as leadership models. While some historical figures’ leadership styles are exaggerated, the testimony of the New Testament records Jesus’ life and ministry with numerous leadership reflect knowledge of leadership principles as well as knowledge of the biblical materials for every observant reader since his entire life focused on the mission for which He came. Jesus served as the ultimate leader in that his mission in life not only continued to continue in his absence, but his kingdom expands ever greater every passing year indicating that he was a leader who truly invested into the followers who continued his mission. While Jesus’ supernatural miracles and unforgettable teaching are great elements of Christ’s ministry on which to focus, Christ led most thoroughly through his lifestyle. While many leaders focus on producing fellowship through big events, Jesus was able to acquire followers in the big events as well as the personal interactions. While Jesus has many great leadership skills to help His disciples earns his design to develop and expand the level of influence through His service, humility, life, risk-taking, team-building, equipping and empathy. Service In Christ’s commitment to fulfilling his Father’s mission on this earth, Jesus set out to obey his Father through service and sacrifice (Philippians 2:5-8). For all of the miraculous deeds that Jesus accomplished while he was on earth, he constantly gave credit to his Father for the words he spoke and the works he performed (John 14:11). Jesus even proclaimed that he did not speak of his own initiative (John 14:10). Jesus unashamedly taught that his sole purpose was to fulfill his Father’s agenda. Leaders are thought to be strong and ambitious with a definite personal vision. Jesus displayed bold leadership by submitting to only one authority -- his Father. As Jesus consistently changed the paradigm in many people’s thinking, he did so again in requiring that a leader become first and foremost a servant. Most people would not normally characterize a leader as one who is committed to service. Leaders are normally not viewed as men and women who are submissive to anyone else. A servant leader is one who “serves the mission and leads by serving those on mission with him.” Jesus taught that to follow him was to cause someone to deny themselves daily and to take up their crosses (Matthew 16:24). More than just lip service, Jesus modeled this type of service to his Father. As Jesus prayed on the eve of his crucifixion, he asked his Father, “if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39). Understanding the upcoming torture and brutal death he would experience, Jesus did reveal that he possessed an actual will. But his will was always subordinate to the service of his Father’s will (Matthew 26:39, 42). Christians are taught that they will suffer if they live godly lives (2 Timothy 3:12), and for Christian leaders following in the footsteps of Jesus as a leader, they need to expect to suffer and to sacrifice for the Father and his kingdom. Not only did Jesus submit himself to service of his Father, but he also submitted himself into the service of others. Jesus spoke out against rulers who led to “Lord it over” the people to whom they were supposed to serve (Mark 10:42). Instead, Jesus taught that the one who wanted to be great must become a servant to all (Mark 10:43-45). While many people love many of Jesus’ teachings, this type of service leadership is often avoided and neglected when mentioning leadership. Humility Most leaders attempt to exalt themselves into an even higher position of leadership. Jesus once again breaks the paradigm by teaching that “servant leaders humble themselves and wait for God to exalt them.” When Jesus ate at a leading Pharisee’s house, he taught them a parable and illustrated that someone should not even desire to sit at the head table but instead seek out the lowliest place possible (Luke 14:8). Nearing his death, Jesus even taught his disciples that no one should even aspire to an office of leadership (Matt 23:10). Combating the Pharisees who thought that their efforts earned them special places of leadership in God’s eyes, Jesus actually opposed the very notion of a person desiring to be a leader based on one’s perceived qualifications. Since Christians are to have one leader in the person of Christ (Matthew 23:10), Christians are to maintain a humble perspective concerning their own positions. Following this statement on leadership, Jesus then stated, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). This leadership concept is shocking and completely countercultural to most potential leaders in current times. Jesus promised people that if they are able to shift the paradigm in their thinking and learn truly to humble themselves; God himself will exalt that person. Contrastingly, the person who attempts to exalt him or herself, that person will be opposed by the Almighty God who has promised to humble them. A Christian is never to pursue an office of leadership since all leadership is granted by God and the opportunity is provided as a stewardship from God. If God truly desires someone to serve as a leader, he will provide that opportunity personally. The totality of Scripture backs up Jesus’ statement that God can and will dramatically humble those who try to promote themselves and their own agenda for the sake of leadership status. A humble leader must refrain from personal comparison to other leaders. A leader who desires to lead like Jesus must learn to wait upon God’s timing, and a genuine Christian leader will desire to follow Jesus more than aspire to a higher position. As Jesus humbly washed his disciples’ feet during the Last Supper (John 13:5-20), he exemplified true humility. Not only was the task of washing feet an unthinkable lowly task, Jesus, sovereign in knowledge, willfully washed the feet of Judas who would soon betray him (John 18:1-9), Peter who would deny him (John 18:25-27), and the remaining ten disciples who would abandon him in the very coming hours (Matthew 26:56). While most people would not even imagine humbling oneself in such circumstances, Jesus revealed his ability to humble himself (James 4:10), and people who desire to be leaders like Jesus must commit to humbling themselves as well. Risk-Taking Jesus was not afraid to attempt the supernatural. Risk-taking was a common element of his ministry on earth. While Jesus often received requests to flaunt his power, he only revealed his supernatural abilities if it accompanied a significant purpose. God’s anointing on Jesus’ life reveals to leaders the need for a constant dependency upon God. He did not boast of his powers, but he revealed his power when it could enrich others’ faith. In fact, Jesus also required that witnesses of certain miracles to maintain secrecy because he did not desire people to come to him simply upon his power. Understanding that Jesus actually never took a “risk” since anything he desires he can accomplish through God’s mighty power (Luke 1:37), Jesus did model for his followers that they could apply to the same source of strength. After being publicly baptized by John the Baptist and the disciples witnessed the Holy Spirit descend upon Christ like a dove (Mark 1:10), Jesus once again showed the disciples that they could tap into living life in the fullness of the Spirit. When a leader decides to dwell in the fullness of the Spirit then God works through them to accomplish God’s tasks. For a leader to maintain the fullness of the Spirit, that leader must maintain a receptive and obedient heart in order to respond to the Holy Spirit. Jesus understanding that God had given him all power, led in such a way that relied on the power of God (John 13:3; Matthew 28:18). Every miracle that he performed was really not a risk since he possessed enough faith in God. Jesus taught that “servant leaders can risk serving others when they trust that God is in control of their lives.” A leader who desires to see God use them in a mighty way must rely on God’s strength and not the limited strength of the individual leader. If a leader accomplishes something through his or her power, a greater effort by a more talented person could even accomplish something greater. Knowing this truth, a leader should have faith that if God calls them to risk something great, he will provide that leader with the needed strength. Team-Building Jesus began his preaching ministry (Mark 1:15), one of the first tasks he engaged in was building a team of disciples (Mark 1:16-17). Jesus built a great team since he did all of those three items extremely well. First, He would rebuke or exhort the disciples when they were wrong (Matthew 16:23). Second, He would encourage them to celebrate in ministry successes (Luke 10:18), and He allowed them to exercise their gifts through service (Luke 10:3). While many leaders may desire to work independently, Jesus modeled a theology that prized relationships and team dynamics. His understanding of the process associated with building a team focused including his followers in his plan and the implementation of that specific plan. While Christ did not need the disciples’ companionship, he understood that the disciples were going to need each other’s companionship once he was gone. Since most people’s weaknesses are best aided through the input and help of others, Jesus brought these men together to assist each other in their spiritual growth. Luke records this dynamic to be true in that the early church throughout the Book of Acts struggled with issues and disagreed with each other from time to time, but through their collective experiences, prayers, and discussions, the church thrived greatly due to this team dynamic initiated by Christ. Christ’s disciples were never intended to serve as a committee which control ministry efforts. He viewed them and assembled them as a team in order that each individual team member could serve the others by empowering them for service. Equipping While Jesus performed great tasks on his own, he never desired for Christianity to demise after his departure. Due to this fact, Jesus spent an enormous amount of time equipping his disciples to continue his work once he was gone. Amazingly, while most leaders would thrive in crowd settings and never desire to lose momentum, Jesus often withdrew from the crowds in order to maintain communion with God and/or further equip his disciples. Jesus’ earnest desire was to disciple the men who would carry on once he left and to share the current responsibilities with them. Jesus believed in these disciples and the indwelling Spirit so much that he proclaimed that they would perform greater deeds than Jesus (John 16:7). Jesus understood that his leadership would be ultimately multiplied through his efforts at investing in and empowering the disciples to lead. While he witnessed the frequent failures of his disciples, Jesus found great reward through also experiencing their successes. Since a true leader commits himself or herself to equipping those around him or her, Jesus sought to develop the disciples as fully as possible during his time with them since they were a gift to him from his Father (John 17:6). Since Jesus lived with these men in whom he invested, he experienced a constant freshness in ministry. Jesus modeled that a leader will stay spiritually alert if he or she stays close to one’s followers since leaders cannot expect a level o f holiness or commitment from followers that the followers do not perceive already in the leader. As the disciples personally saw how Jesus lived and led, Jesus waited for the appropriate time to engage them in ministry. Knowing their potential, Jesus was actively developing them to become fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). When Jesus felt like that the disciples had served as spectators long enough, he thrust them into service. He sent the disciples out in twos first (Matthew 10), and then later sent out seventy-two of his disciples into ministry (Luke 10). While Jesus heard reports of their failures (Matt 17:16), these ministry settings proved to be training grounds for their continuing ministerial education. These experiences caused the desperate disciples to seek Jesus’ wisdom concerning how to conduct ministry like he did (Luke 11:1). Empathy The final leadership principle modeled by Jesus was His empathy. Since Jesus did not come to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45), Jesus had an uncanny knack of identifying with people and empathizing with them concerning their needs. Jesus was able to ascertain current events and evaluate how to minister to people’s true spiritual needs. Due to his close proximity to people, he was able to identify with them on a personal level. Never regarding equality with God as something to be grasped (Philippians 2:6), the Creator and Savior of the world identified with his creation so much that he would even ask, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:36). Jesus displayed a leader who was not too great to hear the petitions of his followers. While Jesus did not grant every request made by his disciples (Mark 10:38-40), his willingness to listen to them gained trust in his followers that most leaders never acquire from their own followers. As Christ dwelt among the people of this earth (John 1:14), he was able to identify with their pain and struggles. Jesus led in such an empathetic manner, that his disciples trusted his leadership and were eager to follow him. Jesus taught leaders that a leader’s sought position should not be the places of prominence but among the broken people who need a leader. As a leader, John Maxwell once wrote in his book Developing the Leader Within You: “When I have integrity, my words and my deeds match up.” (35) As a leader, it is possible to confuse influence with actual integrity. Just because my reputation with people is positive does not mean that my character before a holy God naturally corresponds. A leader should desire that what those around he or she perceive of their characters line up with the reality perceived by God. From what others see of a leader to what only God sees. Leaders’ life to be characterized by integrity, their leadership desire to possess the type of integrity Maxwell espouses. Leaders are not peoples who can-do-all-things. They are not the same, and they should not be based solely on their skills. They should recognize and know how to use skills and talents of people to follow. A leader will not be able to get high performance in the church if the church members do not believe or trust him or her. If they do not believe in their leader they will looking for the best interests of someone else, they will find themselves the difference way to solve the problem. Period of time they spend to do it, or think to make it how did lost productivity, quality and creativity to their work. Therefore, a leader must have Jesus’ passion and motivation longing to meet the requirements to become leaders. God could have demanded loyalty from afar, but sending Christ to identify with people on this earth cause followers to willfully obey and follow Jesus.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 17:16:32 +0000
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