Recently, I was reading in 2 Samuel about David’s response after the death of Absalom. In his grief, David became so overcome with sorrow that his mighty warriors, men who had risked their lives for him, returned from battle discouraged and defeated. His response to a crushing situation deeply affected the people around him. That passage reminded me of an important truth: people are watching us as leaders. How we respond in the good, the bad, and the ugly will influence the health and spirit of the church we serve.
Here are seven reminders that help us lead faithfully:
1. Make your relationship with Christ your continual priority.
Apart from a daily, growing love relationship with Jesus, we will be ruled by shifting emotions rather than anchored in eternal truth.
2. Disciple your family well.
We may preach the right sermons and teach the right lessons, but if we are not intentionally leading our spouse, children, grandchildren, and those closest to us in the ways of Christ, our ministry loses credibility.
3. Keep the right priorities.
What consumes your attention? Since people are watching, the things we emphasize with our time, words, and actions matter greatly.
4. Guard your eyes and heart.
Make it a habit to focus on the things of God instead of feeding the lusts and distractions of the flesh.
5. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your emotions.
There will be difficult days and discouraging seasons. Yet a continual negative spirit in a leader often spreads negativity throughout the body of Christ.
6. Do the work of an evangelist.
If you want your church to reach people for Christ, start personally sharing the gospel yourself. A church rarely becomes more evangelistic than its leaders.
7. Love the Word of God.
Read the Word. Preach the Word. Teach the Word. Live the Word. When Scripture saturates our lives, it shapes the churches we lead.
Leadership is not only about what we accomplish…it is also about what we model. May God help us lead in such a way that people are strengthened, encouraged, and pointed continually to Christ.