On Leadership In The Kingdom

Well, it looks like Muammar Gaddafi is on his way out in Libya, following in the footsteps of Egypt’s Mubarak and Tunisia’s Ben Ali.

There are probably a lot of things these three have in common, but one for certain is they were all poor leaders. They have all demonstrated that power alone does not a leader make.

I don’t think anyone seriously doubts the importance of leadership when it comes to running a country.  I think those who study such things will tell you leadership is the most important factor in successful businesses or governments, even more important than ideology or intelligence.

I believe many Christians, however, would be surprised to know how important leadership is in running a church or other so-called spiritual endeavor.

Studies have shown the most important factor in whether a dying or stagnate church can turn things around is not anointing. It’s not how much time the pastor spends praying or reading his Bible. It’s not money. The most important factor is leadership. Church growth guru, Ed Stetzer, makes this point in his book, Comeback Churches.

My guess is most devout Christians would bristle at the idea that leadership is more important in a successful church than “anointing” or pastoral skills, but I’m not sure it should be so surprising. The Lord has always worked through leaders. Think about Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon…you get the picture. It appears the Bible even presupposes the importance of leadership by requiring Kingdom citizens respect those in authority.

The bottom line is leadership is as important in the church as it is in the world.  And because the kingdom of God intersects both the spiritual and the natural, leadership is vitally important in the kingdom of God. GS



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