as i was writing some thoughts out on leadership for my seminary class, i was really disturbed by a few issues that have me intrigued. i have been a part of a few unique conversations for the future that has caused me to ask questions about leadership in general, and now having to put them down on paper has raised only more questions.
what makes a Christian leader any different from any other Christian?
Unfortunately, leaders in society do not always represent someone we would like to follow or someone we would like our children/friends to admire. The title of ‘leader’ has really lost any type of a norm of expected behavior or responsibility to those that follow. As Christian leaders, we are commanded to go, be, and do with and for Jesus. But I don’t think those commandments are merely for Christian leaders, but for Christians in general. While a Christian leader does have responibilities to God that another Christian might not (i.e. faithfulness to lead those entrusted to him), at the same time a non-leading Christian has responsibilities that a Christian leader does not (i.e. obedience and faithfulness to the leader, willingness to serve humbly, etc.). Christian leaders and non-leaders alike must be in a place spiritually where they can be effective for the development of others and the Kingdom of God. I hope that the character of Christians, leaders or not, reflect that of Christ. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter who is leading or following, because all are not aligned with the Lord.
I am not really sure that anyone should expect a pastor or director or church leader to act differently than any other Christian. If we are holding those in authority or in the spotlight to different standards than we hold ourselves or the rest of Christiandom, then arent we just becoming into legalistic, judgmental, golden-calf creating hypocrites? I dont want my pastor to be held to any standards but those that come from the Lord. And I dont want to be held to any standards but those that come from the Lord. The standards – callings – demands that come from Jesus for me are enough to keep me striving for a life greater than… for a lifetime. I dont need anyone else imposing hurtles in my life and I for sure dont want to be that guy who creates more hoops for my pastors to jump through. If God can hold me accountable to His way of life, then surely He can do the same for my leaders.
when did Christians stop allowing other Christians to still be people?
I am a little terrified to be reminded of what God calls me to. I want to be held to those standards because I know that those characteristics are exactly what God created me to live out. I have heard that the greatest cause of atheism is due to how non-Christians perceive and interact with those that claim Christ. I would argue that the greatest cause of atheism is apathy from true believers and false-doctrine or bad theology taught to non-believers. I think there are a lot of leaders and others in this world that claim to be Christians because of church attendance or parental heritage and attempt to live a good life but do not have the power of the Holy Spirit in them. It is kind of silly to expect people that dont know Jesus to live as someone who does. In fact, we know that it isnt possible to pretend to live as a believer because there is nothing in common with the things of this world and the things of God. We know that the Spirit who resides in believers is unique to Christ-followers. The greatest cause of people to not know Jesus isnt because Christians are butt-holes. Its because people play pretend Christianity because its socially acceptable. But like most things nowadays, what is socially acceptable is often holy disgusting and eternally different.
We suck. We really do. We as people suck because we dont allow each other to fail. We dont allow our leaders to show any signs of weakness. I am not talking about a leader who shows compassion to the broken in this hurting world. I am talking about how we refuse to allow our pastors and leaders to still be people, to still make mistakes. I almost wish the failures of Christian leaders and the failures of Christians in general would be allowed to be confessed and forgiven openly in the church so this world would know that Christians are just people too. Pretending that Christians dont make mistakes only widens the canyon-sized gap between believers and the lost. The greatest trait I respect from my pastor is not his ability to preach or to quote the Bible or to love the broken, but is his ability to apologize, confess brokenness in his own life, and ask for forgiveness. My desire to follow and be led by him only deepens as I hear him claim to need the continual work of God in his life.
I have been that guy that expects my leaders to not make mistakes. I have been that guy that holds the leadership of my church to a higher standard set by myself. What an idiot I am. Surely the God that is greater than… is able to whisper truth and guidance and correction to my leaders as He deems appropriate. God doesnt need my help. And for that I apologize and repent.
May we learn to love people the way God does. May we learn to love our leaders and allow God’s standards for them to be our standards for them, and nothing more and not the other way around.
