A Vision of Christian Leadership/The Divine Agenda

This is the praxis of theology and leadership realized. Howell (2016) uses Paul as an example leader who, having internalized the divine agenda of God for his people regularly “reaffirmed the mission’s core value and message, and contextualized the message” in order to avoid “mission ambiguity, mission drift, and mission confusion” (p. 301). Paul’s modus operandi is a reminder of whose mission it is – God’s. It is his mission, his people, and while there may be benefits along the way for his under-shepherds, the mission remains one of self-sacrifice, with seasons of suffering.

The biblical foundations of leadership inform us then, that “all people are under the suffocating authority of sin” (Howell, p. 13; cf. Rom. 3:9). But faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has transferred anyone who believes from the dominating and burdensome influence (and ownership) of sin into servants (slaves) of Christ (Gal. 3:13; Rom. 6:17-19). With Christ Jesus as the ultimate example of a servant/slave submitted to a divine agenda (Phil. 2:7), leaders have a model to emulate (Jn. 13:15-17). Our duty then, as slaves of Christ and shepherds of His people, is to “take the initiative to bring others to a passionate commitment to what is on the heart of God, the extension of his saving rule over individuals and communities both qualitatively and quantitatively” (Howell, p.301). And because we (as leaders) are committed to the divine mission, we will lead with “a subtle blend of authority and care” (Laniak, p. 247).

References

Harris, M. J. (1999). Slave of Christ: A New Testament metaphor for total devotion to Christ. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Howell, D.N. Jr. (2003). Servants of the Servant: A biblical theology of leadership. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers.

Laniak, T. S. (2006). Shepherds after my own heart: Pastoral traditions and leadership in the Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

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Written by Dr. Kevin A. Hall