The Development of Christian Leadership
By: David Becker
We teach it to our students daily, and preach it to any Christian that will listen. Moral and courageous leadership is crucial for the movement of the Word of God in these perilous times, and vital for the eventual establishment of the New Earth. The trouble is, how do we develop Christian leadership in an atmosphere of practiced religions that meet expectations of man, but ignore expectations of the LORD GOD?
Our Christian men are not often learning leadership through example. Most known Christian leaders today have long ago forgotten who they serve, and prosper with the money and power that come with their position. They change the messages they deliver in the name of God to fit their opulent lifestyles, and remind people that they too can have things if they do as they do.
So how do teachers encourage the leadership potential of young Christians when they show leanings toward that calling?
“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches [shall be] in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: [he is] gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.”
“Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart [is] established, he shall not be afraid, until he see [his desire] upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see [it], and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.” Ps 112:1-10 AV)
It’s all in the details…the little troubles in life that barely make a ripple to most, but create opportunities for a young Christian to start building that foundation. It is the choosing the most righteous answer, and taking a stand by himself to execute his solution, that creates the foundation of leadership.
It’s too easy in these days to rely on others to solve problems. We have laws and rules and societies and authorities to fix anything that goes wrong in our life. If we have a problem, pick that phone up and find the biggest authority with the quickest response.
I talked with a good and growing Christian man who struggled with how to approach his neighbors about a dangerous and immoral situation that had developed. He is a righteous man, and he recognized the wickedness of the situation immediately. But how does he respond after his Christian soul moves him to act to right the wrong?
The easy answer to call the authorities might be a choice of most followers of Jesus Christ, but it is not the correct response by him. The leadership training of this young Christian has begun, as he confronts the first of many, many stressful and sometimes dangerous situations, and learns to bring righteousness to bear in the midst of the wicked things in life. It all in the little details, in the tiny movements of response, that begin building the character of a great leader in the Kingdom of God
Teaching to lead with morality, character and courage enhances and empowers Christian leaders. It is this focus on leadership that is direly needed today in our Christian lives, and one each of God’s teachers should keep in mind as they are raising up the leaders with the LORD GOD’s Will and Works.
The leaders that Teachers of the LORD GOD guide today, will be some of the same Christian leaders that will help establish our new lives on the new earth. Our work today will have consequences and enduring results to all Christians; it is vitally important that we apply our focused efforts to the development of leadership skills among those God Wills right now!
© 2006 David “Bucker” Becker - All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
David “Bucker” Becker is an author and teacher of the popular Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians series published by Becker Bible Studies.