Bible Teachings about Christian Leadership Functions

The Bible teaching about Christian leadership functions provides critical insight in being successful. They fall into three general areas: the person, their action skills, and their people skills.

Put another way, if you want to master the Christian leadership functions, you need to have certain qualities and traits, you need to learn and possess a specific skill set, and you must be able to effectively deal with people. Let me break down each area.

The Leader's Character

The Bible teaching about Christian leadership functions reveals that character and core values are crucial. Paul said those in Christian leadership are servants and stewards of the mysteries of God, and that, “it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

In another place, Paul wrote, “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2; cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 6).

The political detractors and accusers of Daniel concluded, “they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him” (Daniel 6:4).

At the heart of the Christian leadership functions must be integrity and honesty. The leader must be genuinely committed to the goals and values of the group they lead. The group also must recognize that quality in their leader.

For Christian leadership, then, the leader must be devoted to the values and purposes of Jesus Christ – and of the organization served. In fact, Christian leadership must be more than a role that is played, but be reality that is lived.

Lapses in Morality

Lapses in morality occur in Christian leadership. As I write this essay, the 2007 shootings at the huge New Life Church in Colorado Springs USA is still in the headlines. It was tragic.

But also tragic is that in almost every news article the scandalized former pastor is mentioned. He was fired for having homosexual relationships with a male prostitute. I recall my mentor in seminary and professional life saying that the road of Christian service is littered with fallen Christian leaders. He was right. That is why integrity is one of the most important functions of Christian leadership. Christian leadership.

Other killers of character are things like greed, pride, laziness, affairs – and the neglect to nurture one’s spiritual life through prayer and embracing the Bible (cf. 1 Timothy 4:6, 12-16).

However, since Christ is full of grace, there is also forgiveness and restoration for Christian leadership that has fallen on hard times. But damage is done. See my Bible study on failure in Christian leadership.

Finally, regarding Christian leadership functions, leaders must be original problem solvers, have the ability to act on their own initiative, be confident, and good at living with frustration. They must be able to make decisions, be flexible, and have a tough skin when faced with inevitable criticism.

The Leader's Action Skills

The Bible teaching about Christian leadership functions stresses the leader’s ability to achieve goals. Leaders must be perceived by the group as being effective.

Skills include the ability to set goals, cast vision, manage time well, solve problems, organize work, select and develop workers, develop a team, create and stick to a budget, and evaluate progress.

In other words, Christian leadership functions includes the ability to creatively assemble money, material, machinery and equipment, methods, and people to achieve clear goals. Leaders must know how to effectively plan, organize, direct and control activity, and coordinate efforts.

As you can readily see, Christian leaders needs to have a good dose of business savvy, insight, and wisdom. Part of that wisdom is the leader knowing what areas they are weak in, and complimenting themselves where needed.

In sum, this phase of Christian leadership functions requires the ability to set a clear pathway, stay focused, keep track of the details, and get results. But there is a balance.

Keeping the Balance

As I wrote in the Bible lesson on the nature (link) of Christian Leadership, leadership skills are something given as a spiritual gift from God (Romans 12:8). However, they are also skills that can be learned and developed by anyone to some degree.

The Bible teaching about Christian leadership functions instructs us on the balance between God’s work and our labors. The leader must be sensitive to God’s leading and will, but also to work hard.

Paul wrote of this delicate balance, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6; cf. Philippians 2:12, 13).

Sometimes Christian leadership makes mistakes, and misreads God’s direction. When that happens, we can trust that our failures cannot overrule God’s plan for the ages, and that we can learn from our mistakes (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11). Mistakes are things we learn from. Don’t be afraid to risk.

The Christian Leader's People Skills

The Bible teaching about Christian leadership functions stresses the need for good people skills. Much, if not most, of the trouble the Christian leader faces daily are people problems - relationships. Misunderstanding, lack of motivation, poor communication, complaining, and interpersonal conflict are common.

Consequently, Christian leadership must be patient, motivational, and inspirational, be loyal to and love their people, care for their needs, be fair and consistent in their treatment of workers, and provide avenues for opportunity, advancement, rewards, and personal development. At the same time, workers must clearly know what is expected of them, and the leader must keep them focused.

In his instruction to Timothy, Paul urges, “And the Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wrong, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition” (2 Timothy 2:24, 25a).

In the functions of Christian leadership, the leader must establish the work environment as one of trust, fairness, and as Paul added, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31, 32).

We see, then, that the Bible teaching about Christian leadership functions means that leaders must be effective in interacting with the members of the group.

Finally, Christian leadership walks that fine line between effectively achieving the task, but also respecting and caring for the people – and people, other than God, are the Christian leader’s greatest asset.

May God continue to richly bless you in the greatest cause in the universe! Continue your study and work for our Savior.

Dr. Willis and Esmie Newman

BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Regarding Christian leadership functions, list as many character qualities as you can from these verses (John 15:12, 13; 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2; Philippians1:27-2:8).
2. How did Jesus explain the functions of Christian leadership tasks to His followers (Matthew 28:18-20)?
3. Considering the Great Commission and its context, how did Jesus display the functions of Christian leadership skills of character, action skills, and people skills (Matthew 28:18-20)?
4. In connection with the functions of Christian leadership, what was Paul’s strategy of conflict management to the Philippians (Philippians 1:27-2:4; note 2:2)?
5. How did Paul feel about goal setting (Philippians 3:12)? Explain in your own words.
6. How did Paul feel about efficiency regarding the functions of Christian leadership (1 Corinthians 9:19-27)? Summarize your thoughts in your own words.
7. What was Paul’s main goal regarding the functions of Christian leadership (1 Corinthians 10:31)?
8. Explain ways you can glorify God, and why it might be important to you. Explain how it relates to the functions of Christian leadership.
9. In accomplishing his duties of the functions of Christian leadership, how was Timothy to treat his workers (Ephesians 4:29; Titus 1:6-9, 13; 2:1, 6-9; 3:1, 2, 10, 11)?
Note: The meaning of “husband of one wife” in Titus 1:6 is very controversial.
The literal translation is, “one woman man,” or not being a womanizer. It is directed toward pastors.
10. What stood out to you the most in this Bible teaching about the functions of Christian leadership? Explain.