There is a great deal of spiritual importance in having effective leadership within the church of God. The growth and maturity of the church depends upon the leadership that is being applied into the lives of the people of God each day without any excuses to God’s will. Godly leadership is biblical leadership based on principles characterized by and influence of scripture.
As Paul was addressing the church at Corinth about leadership, we learn: “For when one says, I follow Paul, and another I follow Apollos, are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow,” 1 Corinthians 3:4-6. We must choose to follow Christ and not mankind. We are His servants. Effective leadership involves touching the lives of others with encouragement through the word of God. We plant the seed of knowledge, and it takes the watering of continuous learning, and only God can bring forth the growth and elevation. True leadership is the direct result of planting seeds of God’s wisdom into the lives of His people. Godly leaders understand that they lead by the grace of God. We understand that serving others is the only way to lead with a pure heart.
In Matthew 16:14-18, we see the importance of building a foundation in Christ. In these scriptures the church is being built on a solid foundation and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. This is surely true within proper leadership and a growing church. When a leader is seeking the face of God as per Matthew 6:33, God is present in every part of the church. With His presence, nothing can come against it. Good leadership leads to good results. Bad leadership leads to bad results.
We know this because pastors are tested daily. Based upon the reaction and faith from the test and trials within a ministry, only the strong have the victory. The foundation of the church (the people) must be strong, stable, and able to produce a harvest that says ‘I will be a leader, also.’ You are refined by good leadership. If there is not substantial leadership in place, the foundation can be burned and not refined.
Paul explains Godly leadership further in 1 Corinthians 3:1-17. He had given them milk to grow strong, but they had not matured even with it. They should be able to eat meat, but are still relying on milk. This analogy is used quite often in ministry. Babes in Christ who have not grown in spiritual maturity continue to drink milk, as a baby would. People of great spiritual maturity can eat meat like a true child of God. Paul gives three metaphors of the church of God as ‘through a field, building, and temple.’ We are all God’s field, building, and temple. We are the church. We must nurture it and protect it, because within the temple of our bodies the anointing of God resides.
There are seven aspects an effective leader must possess for great growth within the church. First, great leaders must take the time to lead. Secondly, a great leader must be gifted, committed, and willing to sacrifice. Thirdly the leader must be found in only one foundation, which is Jesus Christ. Fourth, the effective leader must teach and be found effective in the faith. Fifth, leaders must also be able to promote unity in the fellowship of diversity. Sixth, they must also seek to be an asset. Lastly, the leader must also establish that the membership must respect, but not idolize, the leadership of the church.
Overall an effective leader must remain humble and remain focused on the true meaning of leadership within the church. We are to be a humble people serving God and understanding that we are nothing without Him. God is the giver of all, and we are the messengers and recipients of His grace and mercy. Our community needs us, and it’s time for ‘greater Godly leadership.’
