Christian Leadership

Daily Reflection for June 4th, 2014

1 Peter 5:1-4

"Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight,  not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it --not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away."

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Most everyone exercises some kind of leadership role, whether in the home, workplace or civic or faith community.  Peter, writing to presbyters or "elders" of the the various Christian communities of the Roman Empire, gives us some principles for effective, Godly leadership.

First, is putting first things first: tending to the flock.  If the leader loses sight of his or her primary leadership responsibility which is ministry towards those we lead, then the objects (people) of the leadership become merely utility, tools or human resources to be used for some other end.  When we understand that people are our primary concern we avoid a utilitarian ethic.

The personalistic norm, in its negative aspect, states that the person is the kind of good which does not admit of use and cannot be treated as an object of use and as such the means to an end. In its positive form the personalistic norm confirms that the human person is a good towards which the only proper and adequate attitude is love.

Second, we lead, or should lead, not because we have to, but rather because God has entrusted us with some form of temporal leadership and that is a divine calling which must not be take lightly.  

Thirdly, Christian leadership is not about gaining power, money or prestige.  Leading for selfish motives will inevitable frustrate the ends to which mission and ministry are ordered.

Finally, rather than leading by exercising juridical power, we are called to lead by example.  Good leaders must lead by example. By walking the talk, we become a person others want to follow. When leaders say one thing, but do another, they erode trust--a critical element of productive leadership. 

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