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The Outstanding Characteristics Christian Leadership Worth Emulating

Great leaders take charge

The concept of moving intentionally toward a clear and compelling purpose and motivating people to follow you is implicit in the word "leader." A leader has a goal in mind and rallies his or her followers to help him or her achieve it. In ancient history, no one is a greater example of this than Jesus. How did a lowly carpenter, seemingly out of nowhere, lead a small group of undervalued blue-collar followers to "make disciples of all nations"? Leadership is the answer!

The test of a Christian leader's efficacy is what happens to his or her followers after he or she has passed away. The incredible thing about Jesus' leadership abilities is that his disciples are still carrying out his mission 2,000 years later. Jesus was a great leader. And, if you think about it, he's still in charge, but now from a higher vantage point. “I will construct my church...” Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18. From the right hand of the Father, the ultimate leader in human history is still leading the charge. Great leaders take charge.

Great leaders are role models.


“The student is not above the teacher,” Jesus said in Luke 6:40, “but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” Great leaders demonstrate to their followers what they are trying to teach them. They don't distribute pamphlets in places they haven't visited. This is especially true when it comes to evangelizing teenagers. It must be modeled by the youth leaders first. If your teenagers are not actively sharing their faith, you may need a mirror, not a bullhorn.

Great leaders are known to pray.



“However, Jesus frequently withdrew to lonely places to pray.” Jesus was always avoiding ministry opportunities to pray, according to Luke 5:16. He would get up early in the morning and go outside to pray. He'd go to the top of a mountain and pray. He'd go outside and pray in a garden. He received his marching orders from the Father during these times of prayer. Jesus recognized that in order to be a great leader, one must first be a great follower. And Jesus was following in the footsteps of the Father. “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus says in John 5:19, “the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” During his prayer periods, Jesus was able to see and sense what the Father was up to...And then follow his direction. We, too, must set aside time to pray and flee. We must make time to pray, whether it is going on prayer walks with the Father or finding a quiet space in our homes. The most powerful Christian leaders I know are also the most fervent prayer warriors. They begin their days with prayer, sprinkle prayer throughout their days, and frequently spend their nights communing with God in prayer as they rest their heads on their pillows.

Christian leaders recognize that God is the ultimate leader, and that their efforts to lead are worthless without him. Prayer is the conduit via which they receive heavenly insight, power, and bravery.


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