How Do You Identify True Spiritual Leaders?
inspired by J. Oswald Chambers, A Spiritual Clinic
What is spiritual leadership? Sanders wrote, ” If we are to become leaders it will be because we can show the way to others, the way which we have successfully trodden ourselves. We can lead others only so far as we ourselves have gone, and we are leaders only to the extent that we inspire others to follow us.”
Before we begin, I came across the American Bible Societies State of the Bible report.
https://sotb.research.bible/
Spiritual Leadership. What is a leader? Two areas where we see a lot of talk about leadership are in the military and in sports. A coach is an important leader for a team, leading in training and during the game decision making. Military leaders are similar in their responsibility for mission readiness and in carrying out the battle plans.
Both sports and the military have produced mountains of information about leadership.
Sanders refers to Operation Victory and seven qualities of a military leader by Field Marshall Montgomery.
1. He should be able to avoid drowning in the details.
2. He should not be petty.
3. He must not be pompous.
4. He must be a good picker of men.
5. He should trust those under him and let them do their job without hindrance. Hey, no micromanaging!
6. He must have a clear decision making skills.
7. He should inspire confidence.
John R. Mott has a similar list of questions to ask about potential Christian leaders.
1. Does he do little things well?
2. Has he learned the meaning of priorities?
3. How does he use his leisure?
4. Has he intensity?
5. has he learned to take advantage of momentum?
6. Has he the power of growth?
7. What is his attitude to discouragement?
8. How does he face impossible situations?
9. What are his weakest points?
Spiritual leadership is dependent upon several characteristics. We see some but not all embodied in these two lists.
1.A true spiritual life
2. Genuine humility
3. Self-discipline
4. A Vision for what could be
5. Ability to make decisions
How do you stack up? Are you growing? What can you do to intentionally change and grow in these areas? The world needs more spiritually mature , godly leaders. Be one of them!