SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP DISTINCTIONS

By Venerable Dr. I. U. Ibeme http://priscaquila.t35.com

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PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Leadership in the Church has for long been an issue of administrative set-up or form of government. In the formative stage, Church Government transformed from the direct Apostolate (oversight Apostolate, spiritual Presbytery and temporal Diaconate with Patronage hosts) seen in the book of Acts, to the delegated Apostolate cum Episcopal Presbyterate under the Apostles seen in the Epistles. These eventually came to become Monarchial Episcopacy after the Apostles, where one Bishop, guided by the Apostolic Scriptures, oversees several Presbyters. The Diaconate also evolved from lay to clerical. The issue in the Church thence forth has been leadership set-up rather than leadership style. Christ and the Apostles were however more interested in style rather than any fixed form or set-up.

In the face of monopoly, style counted less. However, in the last two centuries with denominational plurality within the same locality and the obvious successes of one denominational church against the failures of alternative local counterparts; question on leadership issues other than set-up has come to the front burner once more.

The issue of leadership style became topical even among historic denominations in the early 20^th century (e.g. Lambeth Conference 1930 and 1958). How does the role of the leadership and the follower-ship interplay to produce the best desired result of congregational growth in sound commitment, fellowship and mission? Which is more important and which is more easily amenable to modification and development: leadership set-up, leadership style or follower-ship? Obviously the leadership is the best starting point.

Before the end of the 20^th century, the Church had come to settle that the New Testament pattern or style of leadership for the Church is servant spiritual leadership style or compassionate shepherd leadership style. Invariably, for best result, there must be the commensurate submissive and supportive spiritual follower-ship. Those qualified for leadership are authorized either by the certification from elder Ministers (Ordination) to general Spiritual responsibility for ministering or dispensing the mysteries of Christ (Acts 20:26-28; 1Cor 4:1) or the consensus of the Members (Election) to specific, local Temporal responsibility for administering or managing the resources of the Church (Acts 6:2-4; 2Co 8:19-24).

TODAY’S WORLD AND “SPIRITUAL” LEADERSHIP

Today, non-Christian spiritual leadership is understood in various ways in social circles:

1. As a universally innate drive to lead. Spiritual leadership is that power, ability or drive in every one, which makes any one want to contribute to the betterment of one’s environment towards a cause. Opportunity and pursuit determine how relevant the trait becomes in one’s environment.

2. As inner-being method of dealing with leadership responsibility or opportunity. Spiritual leadership is that leadership style that draws from one’s convictions, values, visions, concerns, insights and hopes to effect a change in a situation. Such changes may be mental or physical, institutional or interpersonal, moral or material.

3. As a holistic approach to leadership. Spiritual leadership is that leadership approach that cares for the whole (spiritual and physical) human and community needs.

CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

For Christians spirituality is Christ-centeredness. Leadership is spiritual when it derives its methods from Christ, its drive from Christ, its goals from Christ and directs its focus on Christ. For us when leadership begins and ends in Christ it is spiritual. Christian spiritual leadership:

- Depends on Christ’s ‘gracious power’ (the power of the Holy Spirit)

- Imitates the example of Christ

- Implements the teaching of Christ

- Obeys the command of Christ

- Pursues the goal of Christ

This Christly leadership derived from Christ, edifies and directs the saints to full Christliness. Christian leadership is a service rendered to help people everywhere become more like Jesus. According to Dr Henry Blackaby:

“The responsibility of Christian leaders is to find out what God is doing and then to move people into His agenda. We’re not to use human wisdom to do divine work”.

Spiritual leaders must not only possess spiritual knowledge, character and power (Acts 6:3; 1Co 2:1-7), but social qualities too (1Ti 3:1-7). The Spiritual Leader does not LEAD as HEAD but serves and tends as HELP.

THE DISTINCTIONS OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

Christ’s teaching on spiritual leadership is servant-hood not lordship (Matt 20:25-28; Mk 10:42-45). The leader must be the servant of all and the slave of Christ. Christ’s demonstration of Spiritual leadership is feet-washing (John 13:13-17). Christ’s success derives from His humility (Phil 2:5-15). Christ’s perception of the Church is a Christ-Organism (John15:1-8; Eph 4:16; Col 1:18) rather than a social organization.

Spiritual leadership as a servant-shepherding leadership style, helping people towards God’s pleasure and purpose is:

Not by Compulsion but by Persuasion 1Cor 9:19;

Not by Domination and derivation but by Service and sacrifice Matt 20:25-28;

Not by Receiving “ “ Giving Acts 20:33-35;

Not by Devouring “ “ Shepherding Acts 20:28-31;

Not by Commanding “ “ Motivating 1Thes 2:7-12;

Not by Dictating “ “ Demonstrating 1Pet 5: 1-6;

Not by Exertion “ “ Example 1Cor 4:16; 11:1;

Not by Harassing “ “ Tending John 21:15-17;

Not by Innovations and trends “ “ The Word of God 1Cor 2:1-7;

Not by Cleverness “ “ Sincerity 2Cor 4:1-5;

Not by Pride “ “ Humility Phil 2:5-11;

Not by Centralization “ “ Reproduction and Delegation 2Tim 2:1-2;

Not Monarchial “ Collegial Acts 15:6, 22.

Spiritual leadership that is of Christ must be done in the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 2:1-7) not in the intrigues of the world; to the glory of God (Col 3:17, 23) and for the saving benefit of everyone (Col 1:24-29) not for personal interests (Phil 2:19-21).

“No intrigues, no interests,

Christ’s glory in all things”.

Leadership is spiritual when it is not self-centered but Christ-centered. This means that the Christian Spiritual leader is one whose:

- Confidence is not in self but in God.

- Decision is not personal choice but Divine will and Divine approval

- Delight is not to be obeyed but to obey God.

- Motivation is not ambition but devotion to the Lord.

- Method is not mundane devices but God’s direction

- Vision is not personal agenda but divine agenda.

- Appointment is not by people’s desire but by the Spirit’s delight.

- Aspiration is not proud domination but humble service.

- Focus is nothing else but Christ as revealed in the Word.

There are different identifiable styles and ramifications of leadership in the world today; these may be based on level of decision making, power of influence, or scheme for accomplishment:

1. Pontification leadership style: By commanding, demanding and dictating –autocratic or despotic.

2. Participatory leadership style: By harnessing stakeholders’ consensus – democratic.

3. Permissive leadership style: By laissez-faire or devolution.

4. Personality leadership style: By personal disposition and personal charm – social charismatic.

5. Power leadership style: By special ability and extraordinary gift – spiritual charismatic.

6. Procedure leadership style: By legislations, formalities and rules – bureaucratic.

7. Pioneering leadership style: By innovating new activities, visions and experiments – transformational.

8. Perquisite leadership style: By self-inducement and self-benefit.

9. Partisan leadership style: By majority sway or divide and rule.

10. Propaganda leadership style: By hype and cant.

All the above and such leadership styles may serve worldly purposes and fit into business, social and political organizations as well as government departments and “para-statals”. These “humanocratic” methods are often problematic and even dangerous for the Theocratic agenda of Christ’s Church. Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36).

11. Pastoral leadership style: By shepherding or serving through self-giving compassion – which involves: (Jn 10:11-16; 21:15-17; Act 20:28; 1Pet 5:1-4)

- Patterning (example),

- Piloting (guidance),

- Praying (intercession),

- Palliating (tending),

- Preaching (feeding),

- Protecting (defending),

- Persuading (conviction),

- Providing (meeting needs),

- Price-paying (sacrificial).

Spiritual leadership should be pastoral in style and divine in agenda: serving the Lord’s saints, to enhance their service to the Lord (Eph 4:11f). The Church should avoid all “humanocracies” and hold unto Christ’s pattern of leadership for accomplishing the purpose of Christ.

Last updated: February 26, 2009

by Ven. .Dr.. Ifechukwu U. Ibeme

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PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre. http://priscaquila.6te.net