Liberty University

A Biblical Foundation of Leadership

A paper submitted to Dr. Michael Mitchell
In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the course LEAD 510

Liberty Theological seminary

By
Anna Simmons

Lynchburg, Virginia
Saturday, October 25, 2013
Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Principle 1: Acknowledge My Maker 2

Principle 2: Dependent 3

Principle 3: Above Reproach 4

Principle 4: Know and Claim God’s Promises 5

Principle 5: Surrendered 6

Principle 6: Servant 7

Principle 7: One Master 8

Principle 8: Personal Pursuit 9

Principle 9: Grace-Filled 9

Principle 10: Knows the Power of Words 10

Conclusion 11

Bibliography 12

Introduction

Many books and resources are available around the buzzing, modern topic of “Leadership.” To gather my personal definition of leadership, I have chosen to use different principles gathered from the Biblical writings to construct the foundation and structure to eternal, God-blessed leadership. The below principles are explained through essay conversations that includes concepts as well as personal stories from my journey toward biblical leadership.

Principle 1: Acknowledge My Maker

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.[1]

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.[2]

As a college student, I wrestled with the concept that God’s love for me, pointed back to himself. Love in my world terminated with me. “Anna, I love you because you are funny; I love you because you are talented.” During this wrestling season, God gave me a vision of the Mona Lisa masterpiece. He showed me what a prized possession it was, beautifully painted capturing unique emotion. The Mona Lisa carries ultimate value if it is the original piece of art, and that is because the art was crafted together my the masterpiece Leonardo da Vinci. The art carries worth because it was touched by and designed by its creator. Knowing that I carry value because I have been sculpted and pieced together by God, the master creator, gives me immense value. That truth also quiets personal stresses that women, in particular, wrestle with them critiquing the bodies God has created them to have. One must know who her maker is, and also trust that the Maker had purpose in each stroke. I must believe that when God made me He said that I am “very good.”[3] Unless a person is at peace with who the Lord created her to be, she is unable to lead.

Principle 2: Dependent

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.[4]

Jesus, during his years of ministry as a physical man, he spoke of continual connection to his Father. Even as the Son of God who is able to call down angelic forces with His word, Jesus claimed to be fully dependent on a relationship with God. In the ministry I lead to children, hosting around 700 elementary students in our Sunday services, our system is so perfected and clean I often forget that our work is grander than a well-oiled machine. The purpose of what we do, is to lead children into a growing relationship with Jesus, and not simply to host them for an hour. Every day I work, I have to remind myself that apart from God I “can do nothing.”[5] As I lead, I must vocalize my dependence even when my mind wants to trick my heart into believing: “I’ve got this!” Me and the team I lead are able to host a great children’s event. People can come, have a great time and be enamored by the environment and stage presentations. However, that would be a fail. We are fully dependent on God to make the eternal difference. We do our best and most excellent work, and then offer it to him to go beyond our work and to change a child’s heart to have faith, to restore parents back into unity, and to bring peace to homes filled with strife. A great leader is a dependent leader.

Principle 3: Above Reproach

Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.[6]

As a child in a small, Bible-based church, I was greatly disappointed by the leadership who led our church. The elder board was a group of men who were called on to help make church-wide decisions and to pray for sick church members as well as address issues that arose. Several of the men had very unhappy wives and lived lives of deceit and secrecy. As a child, I knew about times the men and their teenage sons would go out and tell their sons not to get word of what occurred during the night out back to the mothers. I wondered if men would be able to lead within the church without living double-standard lives. Because this type of leadership was within our church, my father was not much different and was rarely challenged to love my mother more fiercely or serve at home instead of in the community. Church leadership wounded my family and me personally. This verse was, and is, life to me as I know that God has a higher standard that what I experienced. God does call the “overseer” and people who lead within the church to a higher standard. I was relieved to know this, and see how biblical, church leadership demands a person to be above reproach leading in excellence, faith, self-control and love.[7]

Principle 4: Know and Claim God’s Promises

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.[8]

Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.[9]

Anyone is able to motivate. Books and resources are in ample supply around how to make one’s message or vision really take hold. Even leaders in ministry rely on basic motivation and encouragement in the day-to-day interactions with families and volunteers. However, only one resource is able to motivate to heart change. Paul, a New Testament writer, claimed: “…the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”[10] If a small group leader or a ministry leader desires to effectively lead, he must know the Bible and engage in using scriptural references. Eternal authority and power is accessed in the Word of God, and the Word of God elevates someone to divine authority when he uses God’s Word as motivation and direction for his ministry. In addition to knowing God’s Word, a leader must also claim and believe the promises of God for the people he is leading. Simply knowing truth and speaking it is not enough. Faith is what honors God and a leader must lead-out believing in the truth and validity of the Bible. The Bible is more than words of God. Those words are promises: promises about God’s character and promises about God’s actions. Biblical leadership requires an individual to know and claim the promises of God for the people and families within his ministry.

Principle 5: Surrendered

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.[11]

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[12]

Strategic thinking, planning, setting goals—these are all celebrated characteristics of secular (non-biblical) leadership. If a person wants something specific and has a clear dream, culture tells leaders and young adults to “grab it by the horns” and take it. That which we manifest is before us; we are the creators of our own destiny. Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and our failures have been brought on by none other than ourselves.[13]

Biblical leadership is unique as it runs a different course relative to secular leadership. It does not require less passion or less drive. On the contrary, it takes remarkable power and control to live as God desires when it comes to the direction of one’s life. God created humanity with the ability to dream about the future. People makes choice and engage their God-given will when determining their life will aim toward a variety of things: education, job, spouse, vacation, etc. Biblical leadership requires individuals to place dreams and hopes before the Lord, asking him to direct their steps. Living surrendered, for people wired for leadership, is often a choice and not a feeling. However, a leader who struggles against the direction of the Lord, is difficult to follow as it affect his ministry and personality. A leader, who chooses to whole-heartedly embrace the direction of the Lord and direct all of his passion and fuel in that way, is a magnetic leader who is naturally easy to follow by those looking for biblical direction.

Principle 6: Servant

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I Am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.[14]

The greatest among you will be your servant.[15]

In society, a structure is embedded where one who is lesser serves the one who is greater. From the servant washing the clothes of his master to an ambassador serving the wishes of his country’s ruler. The greater one’s financial status and position, the larger number of servant a person may have. This concept was woven deeply into the Jewish culture during the years when Jesus walked the earth. A king would never be seen serving a handmaid, or a landowner helping plow the field alongside his workers. Kingship or position basically exempted that individual from any stature of humility or service. Jesus, as he often did, flipped this cultural norm on its head. The disciples were baffled as they watched and listened: “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and… [as I] have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”[16] Jesus frequently reminded the disciples and the crowds who followed him, that he was the Son of God; he was I am. Being the I am Creator, Jesus was the greatest man to ever walk the face of the earth. He, above any other man, had the right to elevate himself and mandate service to himself. Jesus opposed his rights to kingly treatment from his birth to his death. As the King of Kings, Jesus chose to kneel before men, his disciples, and take on the role of a house servant cleaning the dirt, mud and sweat off of their feet. This task was reserved for one who was lesser in status, but Jesus showed the men how true humility manifests itself. Taking on the position of a servant is essential for any leader who desires to mimic himself after the life of Jesus.

Principle 7: One Master

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.[17]

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.[18]

Many things control people. Addictions are rampant in society and have been through the many millenniums of humanity. Along the lines of the characteristic of one being above reproach in order to walk in biblical leadership, is the idea that a person must have one master to truly be a person able to be used by God. Idolatry masks itself well. One of the largest burdens and oppressors of Christians in modern culture is the control that money and wealth have on individuals. Debt controls the future and emotions of people who have it. Private educations, new vehicles, larger houses, another pet, new clothes, season tickets, international vacations, new furniture—all of these things are held in such high esteem and celebrated when attained even if attained through an individual going into debt to achieve it. Debt becomes, as Matthew 6:24 calls it, a “master” and orders the peace within a marriage to turn to turmoil, or commands a person to experience shame at one’s inability to be financially generous. Finances are one of the main reasons listed in divorce documents as to why marriages dissolved. If a people are able to control his money, immense peace allows him to maintain a strong and steady mind, which is necessary for a person in leadership.

Principle 8: Personal Pursuit

Be still, and know that I am God;
 I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.[19]

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”[20]

If you are pleased with me, [Moses], teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”[21]

The most insincere a leader feels is when he asks of his team to do something or believe something that he personally is not doing. At first is feels empty, and if a person continues to challenges others to go farther than he himself has gone, that individual, as a leader, becomes less effective and therefore less impactful for the Kingdom of God. As the director of a children’s ministry team, the most fulfilling moments are when I am able to inspire my team toward intimacy with God knowing I am currently existing in that same intimacy myself. Personal stillness before the Lord is imperative for my leadership potential. When I am avoiding time in prayer or stressors that are causing me anxiety or giving thanks for each day and moment, I am less able to look into the eyes of the people I lead and give them biblical direction on the day or challenge ahead.

Principle 9: Grace-Filled

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” [Jesus] straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”[22]

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”[23]

A leader of people must resonate and bleed grace. Truth, in the wrong moment can destroy. Many leaders hide behind “the Truth” avoiding the difficult step of choosing to look beyond the sin and to study the person. Each person has a story—a story to be known, a story to be grieved over, and a story for God to redeem. Jesus always knew the entire story; yet, he continually chose to extent grace to the undeserving. After Jesus stood beside the women in the midst of her trial, where her adultery was challenged and tried, Jesus addressed the women. Jesus spoke to her, and she was ready to listen. He addressed her lifestyle as it was: “Go, and sin no more.”[24] (italics added for emphasis) Grace and truth both presented themselves. Grace allowed the woman to receive and hear the Truth. When a leader chooses grace before truth, anger and defensiveness dissolve in the offender. Choosing to love someone right where he is, empowers a leader to make great strides for the truth to take hold and change a life forever.

Principle 10: Knows the Power of Words

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.[25]

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.[26]

Jesus wept.[27]

Leadership requires a person to know when to speak and when to be silent. Jesus’ words were the most powerful and norm-altering that had ever been spoken by humanity. Yet, even Jesus practiced restraint with his words. At times Jesus was fierce and direct; other times he was gentle and systematic; other times Jesus was silent. As a young leader in ministry, I did not realize the power that words from people in authority over would have on me. My natural wiring is to be a driver, to always change or revise, and to ask lots of questions. I can remember it like it was today: my first boss in Family Ministry told me that I was like a “shopping cart with a broken wheel…rolling straight then all of the sudden veering off to the right or left.” Her intent, I believe, was right, but the words delivered a debilitating blow to my personal confidence in how God had wired me. To this day, a lie I combat often is: “Anna, you are broken. Your temperament is too fierce for ministry work. Good women do not act this way.” I believe my boss meant well, but this memory is a solemn reminder to me that leaders must always be aware of the power of what exits their mouths. Words are remembered for decades, and should be used with maximum caution.

Conclusion

Biblical leadership is the combination of these principles. The power of a leader who is confident in who God has created him to be, combats the lies that attack the validity of a person’s intelligence and appearance. Dependence on God and being above reproach are magnetic characteristics of a person who is following after God’s heart. Truth must be known by people who lead in Christian ministry, as it is those truths that allow surrender of one’s personal plans to happen daily. Service and humility were trademarks of Jesus’ leadership, unmatched by a religious figurehead since. Financial peace and personal stillness in relationship with God are two key contributors to unwavering stability amidst life’s chaos. And lastly, biblical leaders must be known by grace and life-giving words. These principles are the ingredients to powerful leadership.

Bibliography

www.biblegateway.com www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/destiny -----------------------
[1] NIV, Psalm 139:13-15, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 19, 2013.

[2] Ibid., Genesis 1:31.

[3] NIV, Genesis 1:31, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 19, 2013.

[4] Ibid., John 15:5-6.

[5] Ibid., John 15:5.
[6] NIV, Titus 1:7-8, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 19, 2013.

[7] Ibid.

[8] NIV, Titus 1:9, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 19, 2013.

[9] Ibid., Joshua 1:2-5.

[10] Ibid., Hebrews 4:12.
[11] NIV, Proverbs 16:9, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 19, 2013.

[12] Ibid., Proverbs 3:5-6.

[13] “Quotes About Destiny,” http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/destiny.
[14] NIV, John 13:13-15, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 19, 2013.

[15] Ibid., Matthew 23:11.

[16] Ibid.
[17] NIV, Matthew 6:24, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 19, 2013.

[18] Ibid., Romans 13:8.
[19] NIV, Psalm 46:10, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 19, 2013.

[20] Ibid., Luke 11:1.

[21] Ibid., Exodus 33:13.
[22] NIV, John 8:3-5, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 19, 2013.

[23] Ibid., Luke 7:47.

[24] Ibid., John 8:6.

[25] Ibid., Proverbs 18:21.

[26] Ibid., Ephesians 4:29.
[27] NIV, John 11:35, accessed from www.biblegateway.com on October 25, 2013.