Leading by example in the church
There are all sorts of leaders in all sorts of teams right across the church. Youth and kids work, hospitality and welcome, worship and preaching, trustees and life groups, Media and car parking, finance and elders, along with many other areas of church life all have opportunities for people to lead.
But although leadership will look different in different teams it comes down to a single principle: leaders in the church must unerringly point others to Jesus.
That’s it!
Pointing to Jesus
Every type of team. Every form of serving. All that we do when we pastor, preach, prophesy, disciple, direct cars or display the song lyrics must be about Jesus.
‘He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.’ Colossians 1:28-29
It is all about Jesus. Leaders should always point others to Him, and Him alone. Jesus is the one we follow.
In order for us to be leaders who point people to Jesus there are two keys.
Key #1: Be full of the Word
The author of the book of Hebrews encourages the hearers to:
‘Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’ Hebrews 13:7-8
In pointing members of the church to Jesus, leaders must speak the word of God to them. The Bible is our touchstone, our foundation. Everything must be built on the Word of God. The Bible is His precious gift to us. It is God’s revealed truth, and it provides us with wisdom and instruction.
Leaders must know the Bible. They must be absorbed in the Bible. Their thinking must be framed by the Bible. Their decision-making shaped by the Bible. It is the Bible to which we turn to discover the principles for godly living.
Leaders must be full of God’s word
Key#2: Be full of the Holy Spirit
In the verse from Colossians quoted above, Paul describes how he operated as a leader in the church. His relentless focus on Jesus was allied with an energetic pursuit of seeing members of the church grow to maturity in God. He describes this as ‘all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me’. This, surely, is a description of the Holy Spirit.
It is the Holy Spirit who provides the power we need in our lives. It is the Holy Spirit, poured out initially at Pentecost and now available for every believer all of the time, who empowers us to live for Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit who produces in us fruit that impacts those around us. It is the Holy Spirit who stirs our hearts to worship. He assures us that we are adopted into His family, saved by grace through faith, and called according to His purpose. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us boldness to proclaim the gospel of grace. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to keep on going when times are tough.
Leaders must be full of the Holy Spirit.
In closing it is also worth noting that, in addition to these two keys, leaders must soberly consider an important warning.
Warning: Keep watch over yourselves
‘Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.’ Acts 20:28
These were Paul’s final words to the elders at Ephesus. The church there consisted of a collection of congregations from around the city, each probably of a size which could meet in people’s homes. Paul felt it was vital that these leaders keep watch over themselves.
In order to lead well it is imperative that leaders maintain close connection with Jesus. Leaders must be secure in their relationship with their heavenly Father. By being full of God’s Word and full of the Holy Spirit they will help to guard themselves against the attacks of the enemy and from drifting off course.
Leaders must keep watch over their lives. Only by doing this they will provide a consistent example for those they lead.
What about you?
Whatever area of church life you lead in and however many people you lead, you must make sure you connect yourself closely to Jesus, keep watch over your life, and consistently point those you lead to Him.
Who are you leading and how do you point them to Jesus? How do you regularly ensure you are full of the Word of God? When did you last experience being full of the Holy Spirit?
