Goals of a Christian Leader

Goals of a Christian Leader

National Association of Christian Ministers Leadership Series

By Michael Mooney, Exec. Elder

The goals of a Christian Leader are:

1) To help others discover and develop their gifts

2) To guide others to a heart of service

The leader (in any organization) should be a facilitator. One who empowers others to reach their highest competence and potential.

What you will gain:

Leading people gives you the opportunity to grow by changing the human tendency to shun people who are not like ourselves.

Scripture:

I appeal to your spiritual leaders. I make this appeal as a spiritual leader who also witnessed Christ’s sufferings and will share in the glory that will be revealed. Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don’t do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don’t do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve. Don’t be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow. Then, when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1Pe 5:1-4)

Peter points out two important things:

1) Don’t do this because you have to, but because you want to.  The Leader’s attitude is everything!

2) Don’t be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow.  Leaders are to empower people, as opposed to exercising power over them.

Reflection:

1) List one way in which a leader can help someone discover their gifting without making it obvious that they are being “lead” in the direction of personal growth.

2)  What does it mean to guide others to a heart of service (in the church and in the business world?

3)  How might you benefit by leading people with whom you may have a personality conflict?

4)  Why is attitude so important to Leadership?

5)  What does this statement mean to you: Leaders are to empower people, as opposed to exercising power over them?