The Approach to Leadership

"shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness" -1 Peter 5.2

This final phrase of verse 2 builds on the role of a leader, and the nature of voluntary obedience, by stating what the goal of one entering leadership should be. A leader is to voluntarily shepherd those God has entrusted to his care. This is to be done, not for personal gain, but with an attitude of eagerness, always ready to serve and sacrifice for those he leads. The purpose of leadership is not to gain position, comfort, or personal advancement, but to attain a platform to be able to serve more.

Above all else, a leader is a servant. A leader is not put into power to make his life better, or more comfortable, but to be able to better serve those entrusted to his care. Leading is about serving and sacrificing, thus why the voluntary acceptance is so crucial, true service is only done willingly.

A leader is in their position to better the lives of those he leads. Just as a shepherd provides nourishment and protection for his sheep, a leader must provide for the well being and safety of his people. Easter was this past Sunday, and there is no clearer example of this type of leadership than in Jesus. He told his disciples, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10.45) The life of Christ, the King of kings, was the life of a servant. His days were spent teaching and healing, and in His final hours he washed the feet of His disciples, voluntarily surrendered to the will of God in the garden, then laid down His life as the payment for sin. Jesus did not come for the comfort He was entitled to, but to a life of service, ending at the cross to protect His flock from eternal damnation in Hell, and to provide unrestricted access to the Father.

I keep thinking about this image from a skit I saw in college. It was a wordless skit set to music, and in it Jesus was portrayed, alone with the devil and some demons, with a human caught in between. I don't remember most of it, but the image that stands out more clearly is when Satan and his demons were preparing to nail the human to a cross, and Jesus intervened, waving them off of the person and pointing to Himself as the sacrifice. My words don't do it justice, but this is one of my favorite images of Christ.

This is how a leader is approach their position. It is not for their own benefit, but the benefit of others. Leadership is not for sordid gain, but an opportunity to serve and protect that must be undertaken with eagerness.


Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!