Leadership Ramblings
All of us lead. It’s good to keep in mind that, whether you like it or not, you will lead people in your lifetime. Not everyone will lead in the classic sense of the word, like being the leader of a team or lead singer. Leadership transcends titles. But, every one of us leads by influencing the lives of those we touch. Several sources (here’s one for context) that I have read say the same thing: leadership = influence, and each of us will somehow influence 10,000 people in our lifetime.
As the title says, this is a series of “ramblings” on random leadership topics I have come across that warrant mention. Part 1 was a compilation of “Leadership 101” points.
In this, the second installment of “Leadership Ramblings,” we have already established that leadership is influence, and we all influence people. Since this is the case, there are some things we need to keep in mind to lead those we influence wisely and well.
None of us likes being told what to do
In the context of Christianity, what does leadership mean? Often, when we think of leadership in the context of our faith (i.e., church, family, or other spheres of life), we tend to think linearly. We often find ourselves asking questions like, Who is in charge? What is the scope of their authority? Who oversees them?
Before going into the minutiae of authority and leadership, maybe the first question we should ask is: Who is leading us as we navigate life? Of course, as good Christians, we will obviously say that God is our Leader. This brings us to a conundrum. When we say God is leading us, it logically follows that we must obey His leading.
And unless you have been living under a rock, you know that none of us like being told what to do. People are wired for independence, and we instinctively resist anyone who has authority over us. This has been the case from the beginning. Remember Adam and Eve? God gave them one rule: don’t eat fruit from a specific tree. It didn’t take much for them to disobey.
What were they saying to God? You’re not the Boss of us.
This natural resistance to being told what to do (or, as little children say, “You’re not the boss of me!”) aside, the reality remains: we will lead and influence people. The question before us, then, is not if we will lead, but how we will lead. What kind of influence will our lives have on the people God places in our path?
Keep in mind, a leader knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way
We have a mantra we’ve followed for years, and it’s something we always keep in mind when it comes to leadership in the different works we establish: a good leader knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way.
So it is reasonable to assume that a good leader, one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way, allows him or herself to be led, correct? You can only lead others to places where you have already been led. If all we know is self-reliance, then all we will lead people to do is to depend solely on themselves, and we all know where that can lead: failure.
I’m grateful that God has not doomed us to failure. He has given us leadership principles to help us navigate the rough waters of life so that we don’t end up lost or defeated. His intention is for us to thrive. But for that to happen, we must lay down our pride and acknowledge that God understands every detail of our lives: from the day we are born to the day we take our last breath. He knows everything that happens in the dash between birth and death.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5,6 (NASB)
We will fail when we refuse to relinquish our plans into His capable hands. The issue isn’t simply success versus failure. The real question is trust versus pride. Do we trust God enough to lay our lives entirely in His hands?
Relying solely on our own understanding and abilities actually brings a curse upon our lives. When we place our trust in ourselves instead of in God, every decision, every plan, and every step becomes vulnerable to failure.
“This is what the Lord says:
Jeremaih 17:5 (NASB)
‘Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the Lord.'”
In our modern mindset, we often take pride in self-reliance and self-determination. A strong work ethic is certainly commendable, but it only serves us well when paired with the understanding that God has the final say in every matter. Whether we like the way He is leading us or struggle to understand it, authentic leadership requires surrendering fully to His guidance.
Now, what does all this have to do with leadership? Everything. As noted earlier, we can only lead others to places where we ourselves have been led. Leading from self-reliance teaches others to do the same, often with predictable results. But when we lead in submission to God’s authority, we guide others toward the same trust and obedience, pointing them to a path that truly thrives.
Leadership in the New Testament
In the New Testament, Paul mentored a group of emerging leaders, including a young man named Timothy. Timothy’s mother was Jewish and his father Greek (see Acts 16:1-4). Paul took him and others under his wing, guiding them into an apostolic team. Together, they laid the foundation for local church leadership, modeling how mentorship and guidance shape effective leaders.
As the churches multiplied and grew, Paul increasingly relied on his team to help lead the expanding network of local congregations. While much of his focus was on the churches themselves, he also invested deeply in leading his team well. He instructed those under his guidance to “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Paul wasn’t seeking authority for its own sake; he knew exactly who was ultimately in charge and was fully committed to following God’s direction.
Paul was so confident in following Christ that he wasn’t afraid to give instructions. He understood he would answer for his leadership, yet was bold enough to lead without fear. What lessons can we learn from his combination of humility and courage? He walked the line with both humility and confidence, showing us how godly leaders balance obedience with bold action.
Points Paul told Timothy to keep in mind
A few things Paul wanted Timothy to keep in mind are found, you guessed it, in 1 and 2 Timothy, called the “Pastoral Epistles” because of the extensive instructions for leadership of the local church. Let’s pick up a few instructions that will benefit us as we lead or influence others:
“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
1 timothy 4:12-16 (NASB)
- “Let no one look down on your youthfulness.” Timothy was young, and one of his struggles was dealing with people who wouldn’t honor him because of his age. Paul made it clear that it was up to Timothy whether he would let others’ opinions define him. I can relate to this, having started leading at a very young age myself. What I learned is that the real battle is not so much about how people see us as about how we see ourselves. This principle applies far beyond youth. What we “let” others dump into our hearts and minds about ourselves is a door we can open and close. I choose to open the door of opinions that matter to God. His opinion is what counts. I am fully aware that without His presence, I don’t amount to much. But with Him, I can do whatever He says I can do, go wherever He says I can go, and say whatever He says I can say.
- “But rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” We don’t lead for the title, we lead to be an example. Leadership isn’t about show, prominence, fame, or money (see part 1 for more on that) or creating a position for ourselves. It’s about first allowing God to lead us in our speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. As we “go the way” before others, some will follow. *Notice I said “some.” Whether others follow our example is not up to us; that’s a choice they make themselves.*
- “Give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching.” Here, Paul lists some essential elements of church leadership. Public reading of the Bible is vital. Scripture should be the foundation for all teaching. Exhortation and instruction naturally follow from that foundation. Many leaders give attention to many things besides those Paul notes. Things like branding, being relevant, and making sure we don’t upset too many people pull leaders away. Make sure to give attention where attention is needed.
- “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you.” It’s easy to set aside the gifts God has given us, especially when they aren’t the kind that scream for attention. I’m not particularly funny or interesting. But I do love teaching through speaking, writing, and group conversation. However, I didn’t use the gift for many years because I didn’t feel it was needed. Who was I anyway? Well, I’m not anyone on my own, but God has made me who I am, and I can’t neglect the gift. Whatever God has gifted you to do, do it! No one else can fill your shoes.
- “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.” This instruction is self-explanatory. We must take deliberate care to fulfill the responsibilities on this list. When we do, we lead effectively, so the progress we make will be “evident to all.” This will stir others to follow. “Taking pain” to do something insinuates making an effort. These things won’t happen in our lives by accident; we must live them intentionally every day and regularly take account of ourselves before the Lord.
- “Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” Here, Paul emphasizes to “pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching,” meaning do not be flippant about how we live and lead. Leadership first means being serious about allowing God to lead us personally and then being intentional about allowing Him to lead others through us. This speaks of humility and courage: humility to be led by God and courage to lead others to Him. The world does not lead this way. It looks for “strong” leaders who appear to have all the answers, but God calls those who have no answers in themselves to lead under His guidance.
It takes humility to let go and follow God, especially when we don’t understand, which is most of the time. Authentic leadership starts with surrendering ourselves to His guidance. Take a moment today to ask God to lead your steps, your decisions, and your words. Let Him shape you before trying to shape anyone else. Leadership under God is not about having all the answers. It is about being willing to be led by Him, trusting that He knows the way even when we cannot see it.
Keep in mind
Leadership is influence; everyone will influence someone.
A good leader knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way.
You can only lead others to places where you have already been led.
When we lead in submission to God’s authority, we guide others toward the same trust and obedience, pointing them to a path that truly thrives.
Godly leaders balance obedience with bold action.
The real battle is not so much about how people see us as about how we see ourselves.
We don’t lead for the title, we lead to be an example.
Make sure to give attention where attention is needed.
Whatever God has gifted you to do, do it! No one else can fill your shoes.
Leadership first means being serious about allowing God to lead us personally and then being intentional about allowing Him to lead others through us.
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Recommended reading: If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy reading these:
Leadership Ramblings 1: How a Leader Is Made
Leadership Ramblings 3: The Hidden Person of the Heart
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