CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

Christian Leadership

Christian Leadership

Concept of Christian Leadership

The Bible teaches a philosophy of leadership; which Christ summarized and modeled in Matthew 20. The principles of service and suffering are base of the leader's relationship with his subordinates, while the leader show respect to his ministerial colleagues, considering them as equals.

The philosophy of Christian leadership in the modern world is deeply affected by the current paradigms of hierarchical management. Some books on Christian leadership are mere imitations, in religious language of business American culture. Sometimes, Christians who are successful in Business, imagine that they can incorporate their success to church and make efficient the Kingdom of God, as if they have a great efficiency value in the Kingdom of God. Such procedures actually increase the efficiency of church, but the same abuses that occur in business world (Wills, 2006, pp. 55-99). Due to its hierarchical mindset, it is blind to the way people are affected. Interestingly, some sectors of American business have unconsciously evolved to a more Christian in its philosophy how to treat people. This has happened over decades of trial and error in the management of staff, to keep them happy and productive in their workplace.

Ministers are equal in authority in the body of Christ. They are related as gentlemen around a round table and not as soldiers of an army with endless ranges. Biblical government is an association of ministers' works together as equals and respects each other. Leaders have a servant's attitude rather an attitude of boss. For leaders, the people are the whole of his work and the tools they can use to get their own purposes (Cochrane, 1940, pp. 124-165).

A call to Christian leadership is a call to suffering. That Suffering, especially in the western world, usually takes the form of psychological pressure and stress that other believers support or understand. Often people have high expectations of a leader, which he cannot satisfy. Instead of looking to Christ, people may be looking for a pastor to meet their needs, and when the pastor fails them, they consider him as incompetent (Deane, 1966, pp. 147-199).

Some people under their care, may be rebellious and only submitted when they are pressed. Sometimes, the leader must stay on the line of divine principles, at the risk of misunderstandings and criticisms of others. Occasionally, church leaders must apply the Biblical discipline, although, it is not popular. Almost always, when presents a case of discipline, leaders can not reveal the problem to the congregation. Members with an incomplete knowledge case can reach the wrong conclusions about decisions of leaders and leaders may think they are very severe or very mild in applying discipline. Authoritarianism and hierarchy support each other and it is difficult to say which of the two symptoms the driving forces are. Do people create authoritarian hierarchies? (Augustine, 1972, pp. 79-94) Or, hierarchies stimulate authoritarianism? Authoritarianism is derived from arrogance. Often the Authoritarian people supposed to have a superior office to prove that they are inherently superior ...