Let’s agree from the opening statements – “We need good leaders!” 
In order to obtain good leaders there are some underlying assumptions to be considered. Well- resourced development materials and strategies should underpin leadership development. So why is this being overlooked and in fact outright ignored? Could it be that we have been oversaturated with quotes from Jim Collins, Warren Bennis, and John Maxwell? Perhaps our need for immediate gratification has caused us to short-circuit leadership comprehensions to the greater pay-off of accomplishment. If that is so, then we must accept that we are motivated more by events than long-term legacy building. Jesus’ illustration of investing into a rag-tag group of 12 men to win the world should at least stir within us a greater need for authentic discipleship strategy versus immediate payoff’s.
So that we do not miss the obvious and reach a crisis moment that reveals our unpreparedness consider 3 keys on what leadership development consists.
Leadership Is Biblical
When you read through the Bible about the great moves of God, we generally read about a great leader that God used in that event. God uses his leaders to accomplish his purposes is consistent throughout the Biblical narrative. Consider Paul’s words regarding those who aspire to the role of Overseer and he declared it to be noble. That nobility is further highlighted in 1 Timothy 3 where the qualifications of the Pastor is discussed.
Scripture is filled with examples of great leaders and we all know their names and their accomplishments. However, scriptures also give us the not-so-good leaders to learn from their failures so that we do not repeat them. Scriptures describes and prescribes leadership therefore, making it a practice and principle at the same time.
Leadership Is Theological
There are things that Biblical leaders are to do and there are things that Biblical leaders are to be. 1 Timothy 3 gives us a great insight on the life and doctrine of the Pastor. Biblical leadership development is not just about memorizing passages of scripture and adequately arguing theological themes. Rather it is about leading correctly!
Romans 12:8 suggests that our leadership responsibility is to be taken seriously. Ephesians 4:11 gives clear roles and responsibility in Biblical leadership. Mark 7:8-9 Jesus gives the religious leaders a clear warning about catering to the traditions of men as opposed to scriptural preparation. In just a few scripture references we see the theological dimension to leadership. For further insight on developing this construct I would reference Tony Morgans ebook, Developing A Theology of Leadership.
Leadership Is Contextual
Because of the theological aspect of leadership, this plays directly into this third key – leadership is set within a context, not a vacuum. Why is contextualization important? Simply stated, what works in one place will not necessarily work in another. Our theology is what drives our contextualization. Otherwise we may convince ourselves that we are called to be “culture crashers” instead of Kingdom Builders!
The fact of the variety of contexts speaks to God’s creativity and purposes. Beyond corner-stone pieces of theology that remains true from place to place and from time to time, leadership contextualization must be taken seriously. The mantra of “Do what I do and get what I got” is simply a leadership cop-out. Agonizing seasons of prayer, solitude, and learning the culture is the only way to truly contextualize your efforts as a leader. Cookie-cutter models are a thing of the past. Customizations within a context will produce long-term legacy versus short term payoff. Without a sensitivity to the context of our leadership, barriers will be erected, difficulty becomes the norm, and distrust is born. WHY? We have not connected to the people we are called to lead.
The Biblical and theological aspects of leadership are unchanging and remain fixed. However, the contextualization of our leading varies from place to place. Our leadership development strategy should encompass all three keys to Biblical leadership. Be careful about becoming trapped in the cookie-cutter, get busy, action over substance treadmill that leaves leaders disillusioned and discouraged. Leadership matters because it is Biblical, Theological, and Contextual.
Leave a comment or call to leave a message. I would love to dialogue with you on your thoughts for 2015.
One of the keynote features of Biblical leaders that has in some instances been totally ignored or rejected in today’s church world is the idea that God chooses leaders that don’t fit the ‘status quo’. Many run to the “well educated”, the “well groomed” and yet forget that many of the greatest Biblical leaders such as Moses, David, Samson and others would be referred to in today’s world as “unfit” due to their spotty and often reckless pasts. Today’s church looks for a molded leader rather than a called one more often than not. If a person doesn’t hold multiple titles and initials after their name then they “are less than” those who do.
Personally some of the greatest speakers and leaders I have either heard or sat under were those whose lives were called by God, gifted by God, and led by God rather than those who try to artificially produce such qualities. “God takes the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the strong.” (I Cor. 1:27)
Thanks Dave for your comments. One thing is sure God is not in the business of calling the equipped, but equips those He calls. Ministerial preparation begins with solitude – waiting on the Lord’s guidance. All of the great leaders of scriptures had those times of being alone with the Lord. Leadership starts with a bent knee in humble admission that without Him guiding the affairs of our life we will go nowhere and amount to nothing. With that as a foundation yes, there are those whom the Lord moves to higher learning that may consist of Master’s Commission to PhD. While I seek to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified I also prepare myself to give a reason of the hope that is within me.