Christian Leadership – Part 1 by Gilbert Quarcoopome, Ghana Africa

Gilbert Quarcoopome

Gilbert Quarcoopome lives in Ghana Africa. He has a Bachelors of Christian Leadership with United Graduate College and Seminary International and is preparing for his Masters program. This is part 1 of a 4-part article on Christian Leadership.

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One of the most difficult roles ever in this life in my opinion is Christian Leadership. In describing Christian leadership we need to recognize that it operates in two realms: the spiritual and the physical. An adequate definition therefore must recognize that while the Christian leader is called to operate in the physical realm in order to do so effectively and be efficient they must, as a matter of priority, also draw upon the resources offered through the spiritual realm from the original source, which is God Almighty. This means having a gift of leadership conferred by God, which is developed through an intimacy with Him and honed by instruction in leadership principles and skills. Together these lead to the insight and influence necessary to lead effectively.

The Christian leader must first be “Spiritually” connected to its source and a “Leader” second. There is no better and finer example for Christian leadership than what our Lord Jesus Christ showed us whiles on earth when He declared, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” – (John 10:11). It is within this verse that we see the perfect description of a Christian leader. He is one who acts as a shepherd to those “sheep” in his care. Also in Mk 10:42-45, Jesus explained clearly the principle under girding Christian leadership in which those who rule must not lord it over them but rather seek to serve.

Based on these two scriptures, I believe that the real definition and function of a Christian leader is clearly stated without ambiguity. We would therefore, look at a few characteristics of a Christian leader from these two passages.

When Jesus called us His sheep, He was saying that without a shepherd, we are helpless. The shepherd is one who has several roles in regard to his sheep. He leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects and protects. The shepherd of the Lord’s flock leads by modeling godliness and righteousness in his own life and encouraging others to follow his example. Of course, our ultimate example and the One we should follow is Christ Himself.

The Apostle Paul understood this so he made a categorical statement that: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). The Christian leader is one who follows Christ and inspires others to follow Him as well.

The Christian leader therefore must have and possess certain characteristics based on scripture. The Christian leader as a shepherd is also a feeder and a nourisher of the sheep and the ultimate “sheep food” is the Word of God. Just as the shepherd leads his flock to the lushest pasture so they will grow and flourish, so the Christian leader nourishes his flock with the only food, which will produce strong, vibrant Christians. The Bible not the world’s wisdom is the only diet that can produce healthy Christians. “Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deut 8:3; Matt 4:4).