September 5th, 2023
Culture is full of resources on leadership. Spend any time in Barnes and Noble or searching books on Amazon, and there is a massive amount of writing on the topic. Everyone has their take on where leadership begins, what leadership looks like, and even when leaders should eat. (Simon Sinek reminds us that leaders should eat last.)
As Christian leaders, what book should we pull off the shelf to guide our leadership? Other options may come with some gold nuggets, but the one book that should guide how we lead above all others is our Bible. With that in mind, here is a word from Paul in the book of Titus on what leadership looks like.
“An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”
– Titus 1:6-9 NIV
As Paul is writing this to Titus, he is guiding Titus in what he should be looking for in the leaders he appoints. Reading the above passage, Paul outlines what a man of character looks like, creating a checklist that Titus can use to guide his appointment of elders. He is to find men who fit this description, not perfectly, but who can be trained to excel in all of these areas.
You and I, as leaders, should be open to training in all of these areas as well. Leaders do not aim for perfection, but an openness to growing in these areas is essential. As leaders being trained by God, we should be looking to grow in self-control, hospitality, discipline, and holiness. We should be striving everyday to hold firm to the words of scripture while encouraging those in our circles to do the same, especially our wives and children.
At the same time, we should resist being overbearing or quick-tempered. We should also fight against drunkenness, violence, and winning by cheating or bending the rules. Again, discipline and self-control should guide us, even when our emotions and chaos try to get the best of us.
Becoming a man of character is a daily battle. Every day, we encounter challenges that test our commitment to developing this kind of Biblical leadership. There will be pressure in our marriages, raising our children and in our relationships with them, and in our work and professional lives. Becoming the kind of leader Paul describes to Titus is not easy… but it is worth it.
Today, look at that list and do a quick assessment. Where are you winning today and leading the way God guides us, and where could you use a little work? What areas do you see that need some attention in your life? Defining where you need some training is the first step in becoming a man of character and a leader worth following. Answer those questions, and then start strengthening yourself to become the leader God designed you to be.
– John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men
