Christian Living

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In Acts 20:24 we see Paul’s concern with finishing the race well, even seeing his own life as worth nothing; many leaders, however, are more concerned with position and title to lead than in anything else. If such people were removed from office, they would find very few people following them. Paul’s style of leadership bespoke of a life lived in integrity, humility and mentorship; always watching what he said and what he did. In 2Timothy 4:3-4 he warns Timothy against those who develop itching ears, that turn away from the truth and instead embrace myths; he asks him to keep his head in all situations and endure hardships for the sake of his ministry.

A leader should recognize that the power to speak prophetically comes only when one lives by God’s Word. He should also die to ambition and live only for the Lord God in service and in worship. He should die to the self in as far as reputation, priviledge, name or position is concerned or else he will not be able to go as far as God wants him to. Acts 20:28 asks the leader to watch over the flock over which he has been made overseer by the Holy Spirit. The ministry of leadership is not given by right because none of us is worthy of it; it is by God’s grace and as such an office should not rob the leader of the good qualities that he may possess.
A leader should therefore devote himself to the study the Word and occasionally take time to go up the mountain in solitude and prayer in order to hear from God. He should teach the flock to depend on God and not on him. However he should also be wary that the people do not wear him down

A leader should be a good shepherd. However, when his ministry is attacked, his vision may become blurred but he should always remember that he is an appointee of God, not man. He should therefore not behave like one who has no master because he does: God. In retrospect, it is the onus of the flock to recognize that the leader is God’s choice for them. People are as unpredictable as they can get away with, those that cheer a leader on today may very well be the ones that crucify him tomorrow. This calls for the leader to always cast his eyes on God for Jeremiah 17:5-6 curses the man who depends on flesh and not God for his strength.

A pastor is a leader who belongs to all and not just to his church or to the confines of his ministry. He should conduct himself with broken humility and not false bravado because the one who laid his life down for us at the cross made himself poor that we may be rich. Christ was the epitome of modesty which every leader should emulate.

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