How Lovely Are Leaders Whose Security is in Christ

For more than four decades, I've observed effective and ineffective leadership.  I believe it is John Maxwell who has said that "everything rises or falls on leadership."  Certainly, for those of us who have ever led anyone else, there have been failings, weaknesses and flaws.  And that is why the good news of Jesus Christ is so good--we can take our failings and sins and yearnings to Him and take on His grace, His gentleness, His boldness, His security.  

The most effective leaders I've ever seen (or followed) are secure in Christ as leaders.  They trust Him with their calling to lead and lean on Him for His strength, His forgiveness, His creativity, His warmth, His love, His encouragement.  The characteristics of insecure leaders and secure leaders are listed below.  Can you think of any others?

Insecure leaders

• are afraid to let others shine
• cannot reach out for help without thinking they will appear weak
• insist on doing things their way to prove that they are leading
• try to manipulate others emotionally or in other ways to follow them
• are needy
• think more about themselves than about those they are serving
• don't realize that Christian leading is serving
• constantly need affirmation
• react publicly and quickly to perceived slights
• surround themselves with "yes"-people
• are hurt or offended when challenged
• can be condescending
• are insecure because they don't trust themselves

Leaders secure in Christ

• desire to see the success of others and praise them publicly for their accomplishments
• consistently ask for help, advice, feed-back and accountability from other leaders and those they lead
• gently articulate to others why a certain way may be best, but give in graciously if there is not consensus
• lead from strength and grace rather than from weakness or manipulation
• rest in Christ's sufficiency for all their needs, releasing others from the obligation to serve them constantly
• pray and think constantly about those given to their charge, looking for ways to build up others in grace
• seek to serve those they lead in ways that are meaningful to those being served
• seek to affirm others in genuine ways with gracious words
• privately pray about perceived slights and engage graciously only the one(s) involved
• appreciate those who offer other ideas or who may graciously disagree with the leader (except when gospel truth is at stake)
• accept a challenge to grow or be flexible when Christ's purposes are being served
• see themselves as servants who love others enough to treat them as they would like to be treated
• are secure because they trust in Christ, who has brought believers into union with Himself