Right Thinking On Christian Leadership (8)

by Rev. James Wong

This week I wish to ponder on leadership in the church. However the principles can be used in any context. Anything that is healthy will grow. Just like a healthy child, we do not need to tell the child to grow. He will grow naturally. This is the same with the church of Jesus Christ. A healthy church will grow. Therefore, leadership in the church is given the responsibility to ensure that the things that we do in the church will promote church health, so that the church of Christ will grow in quantity and quality. Here are the important leadership principles to adhere to.

1. Taking Leadership Role
Titus 1:5-6 (NLT) says: ‘”I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.” Elders were the leaders of the early church. Without them the church would hardly sustain in her ministries. In our church, apart from the pastor and the elders, the council members and ministry heads are being looked upon as leaders of the church today rather than merely playing the role of administrators to get the affairs of the church in order.

Those who are in leadership position must begin to see that they are leaders of the church. This is important because leadership position will not ensure that a person will function as a leader. It is when a person sees himself or herself as a leader, things begin to change because the person will take leadership responsibility. The quality of the church is very much dependent on the leadership of the church. Leadership determines the success of the church as a whole. You may be a leader by position, but do you see yourself as the leader, taking leadership responsibility?

2. Leading In Upholding The Unity Of The Church
Col 3:13-15 (NLT) says: “Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

The uniqueness in Christian loving is to love those who are not in our favor or those who are in conflict with us. Love is our only strong witness. John 13:34-35 (NIV) says: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Ultimately, it is only love expressing itself in making allowance for each other’s faults, willing to forgive those who offend us like what our Lord Jesus did that will bring healing to wounded relationships. It is by practicing loving one another in spite of our differences that we can be bound together in harmony. We must also allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts to promote peaceful relationships as this is also a calling of God. Nothing can destroy the church faster than unresolved conflicts in relationships.

See yourself as a leader taking responsibility and always promote unity and harmony with the love of Christ. This will promote church health.