Introduction
The topic of leadership etches itself in the mind of the modern person because on the bookshelves in every bookstore; they find leadership knowledge to consume. This inundation leaves the reader’s mind searching for the paramount truth of leadership skill and understanding. How can the source of truth be so distinct yet varied? Is there a source that modern Christians can count on to provide a firm foundation to proceed as a leader?
The source for “true north” leadership posits from the ancient Scriptures and provides a concrete layer for the leader in establishing his journey. The Pentateuch in Genesis sets from the beginning that dominion over Creation is the call of humankind. “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Gen. 1:26, NASB).[1] YHWH defines humanity’s purpose establishing a plan to develop the man to fulfill His divine will. Throughout the Torah, God strands together cords of leadership principles resulting in the fulfillment of His dominion story of Creation.
In Biblical Leadership – Theology for the Everyday Leaders, Benjamin Forrest and Chet Roden compiled essays from leading biblical scholars focused on developing a biblical theology of leadership. Though there are various themes and applications found in the compilation, three are critical for the effectiveness of the modern Christian leader – a recognition of and submission to the purpose of YHWH, personal humility and a shepherding-servant approach, and a dedication to training the next generation of leaders.[2]
Recognition and Submission
In the Pentateuch, the writers established the importance of YHWH’s authority and the leader’s acceptance of His call and submission to it for success. The Scriptures relate this implicit calling in Genesis with God’s focus on Abraham and His covenantal relationship with him. The writer declared, “‘For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him” (Gen. 18:19). Ellis Brotzman, in his essay, Godless vs. Godly: Leadership in the Pentateuch, states, “This passage highlights a number of principles relating to godly leadership. First, and most important, the leader is ultimately chosen by God. While there may be room for a person’s own interest in leading, or for the interests of a group in having a certain person lead, ultimately the choice must be grounded in God’s own will.”[3] The student of Torah understands that the authorization of leadership comes from God by His divine will and choice.
Throughout the Old Testament, the reader finds examples of the importance of God’s divine choice and authority. This authority predicates not on the qualifications of the person chosen but concentrates on the purpose of the Creator God. Gideon is a prime example of divine purpose irrelevant to human quality. Michael J. Smith writes, “In response to Israel’s cries for help, God went about recruiting Gideon to fill the role of deliverer-judge. Exum wrote, “No character in the book receives more divine assurance than Gideon and no one displays more doubt.”[4] YHWH qualifies the modern leader by his willingness to recognize and submit to the providential call answering their doubts and empowering them for divine service.
Personal Humility and Shepherding-Servant
The second predominant theme woven through the Old Testament is the leader’s response to God through personal humility and their engagement with others from a service-oriented posture. Gary Yates states in his essay A Call for Faithful Servants: Leadership in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, “A proper view of self in relationship to God in the leader produces humility, submission to the authority of God’s commands, and recognition of the superiority of divine wisdom to human wisdom.”[5] The prophets recognized their place concerning the call of God, producing confident humility in their proclamation to the people of Israel. The result of the leader’s humility is prosperity for the people of God.
In his essay, Tremper Longman III declares that “As a result of Solomon’s humility before God and his people, Israel prospers in every way.”[6] When the modern leader understands humility and projects this God-ordained attitude, the people he leads flourish. Solomon’s humility reflected not only in his relationship to YHWH but also in his relationship with the people he led. When a leader correctly positions himself under God, he shepherds the people in his care humbly and effectively. In Kaiser’s essay on Psalm 23, he writes concerning the shepherd model of service. The image of the shepherd as a guide permeates the text. Kaiser states, “Sheep in the Middle East are not driven from behind the flock, as they might be herded in other parts of the world, but are led by the shepherd walking in front of them, to form a path for the flock to follow. That is why all the sheep are guided so well; they follow single-file in the path set by the feet of the shepherd.”[7] The modern leader, like the ancient shepherd, leads the flock from the front, guiding them through the dangerous life-terrain and journey ahead.
Training the Next Generation
The third thematic thread in the Old Testament Scriptures relates to the idea of legacy. The mandate of leadership perpetuates truth or compromise from generation to generation. It is paramount that a biblical leader proactively trains and teaches followers to assume a godly mantle of authority.
The narrative of Judges reflects the tragedy of the missed opportunity to transmit a godly legacy. The trajectory of a downward moral slide is evident throughout the text. In his essay, Smith states, “We see Israel’s tendency, which is not too uncommon throughout history, to compromise on the spiritual commitment of those who came before them. However, part of this result may lie in a former generation’s inability to faithfully pass the faith on to their children.”[8] According to Smith, if a leader “…fails to do this, it can be expected that the next generation will fill the void with an allegiance of their own finding.
In contrast, Esther modeled effective leadership resulting in a lasting legacy for her people. Debra Reid writes, “She has worked carefully and tirelessly, courageously and creatively. Her rise to effective leadership is complete and now earns for her not personal honor but a lasting legacy, in the form of a joyful community festival that will outlive her.”[9] The courage of Easter and the faithfulness in answering the call of God not only saved her present people but benefited the generations that followed. The Christian leader that positively promotes the transference of faith impacts not only his present but also those who follow after them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the modern Christian leader, when leading from a consistent, firm biblical foundation of a God honored call, a humble, shepherding attitude, and a proclivity towards a legacy, finds his effectiveness increased. The importance of the leader’s recognition of the divine call and his submission provides clarity and flow for the ministry to others. It properly orients him to serve those in his care with humility and love. The ordered submission to God’s authority leaves no place for prideful and aggressive methodology.
A shepherding stance toward those he leads protects the people from careless and pejorative attitudes. It allows the people to flourish under godly direction, with the leader serving as a guide careful navigating the specific journey of his calling. A shepherding humility is always apropos, no matter the context, location, or cultural dimensions. As detailed in Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd provides and sustains for those he leads proactively in the “valley of the shadow.” The follower is confident that the leader cares for their well-being from a place of humble service.
The final impact for the modern Christian leader results in a lasting generational legacy. As the leader actively trains, models and teaches those who follow, they prepare the groundwork for the continuance of the faithfulness of God in His people. The reward for the leader is permanency in a lineage of truth through those in his care. It requires modeling of character and commitment to the tenets of Scripture and results in lasting impact.
Bibliography
Forrest, Benjamin K., and Chet Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2017.
[1] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced employ the New American Standard Bible.
[2] Benjamin K. Forrest and Chet Roden, Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2017), 42.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid, 102.
[5] Ibid, 187.
[6] Ibid, 172.
[7] Ibid, 158.
[8] Ibid, 96.
[9] Ibid. 282.
Restored 