1 Peter 5:1-4 “¹ The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: ² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away”.

Matthew 20:20-28 “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. ²¹ And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” ²² But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”They said to Him, “We are able.” ²³ So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” ²⁴ And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. ²⁵ But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. ²⁷ And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many”.

The call to leadership in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a call to servanthood (sacrifice, service and stewardship ministry) and not to a Lordship ministry as detailed in the above named Scriptures.

Some key guideline to true and effective leadership are thus:

• Be a leader not  a boss
• Lead by example
• Have an attitude of a servant
• Leadership is a function of humility – Philippians 2:6-8; John 13:4-11
• Leadership must have a focus goal (know where you are going and where you are coming from). Leadership means remaining focus irrespective of the challenges.
• Leadership must be done and approach with a perfect heart – 2 Chronicle 25:2; Jeremiah 17:9-10. Leadership action depends on the motive and  God rewards motive not only just the action. Leadership is likened to  a salt as in – Matthew 5:13. Salt is what is inside it.
• Leadership is not glamour but a warfare. To be engaged on our fight of FAITH with satan and cohorts for human freedom & liberty in REDEMPTION.
• Leadership is not cheap. Every pain adds to your experience. And every experience leads to your promotion. As a leader you will step on peoples toes or feet, you will be insulted and be misunderstood, but don’t misunderstand yourself when you are being misunderstood.
• As a leader, watch your utterances, especially about death or dying – Numbers 11:11-15; 1 Kings 19:1-5.
• Matthew 17:1-3 – Honour of God in the mount of transfiguration. As a leader, your service and motive will determine your honour & presentation. Your account of services in the kingdom of God is your reward.

Examples of Integrity In Leadership:

a. Samuel the Leader: 

1 Samuel 12:1-5 “¹ Now Samuel said to all Israel: “Indeed I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. ² And now here is the king, walking before you; and I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. ³ Here I am. Witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.”⁴ And they said, “You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand.” ⁵ Then he said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they answered, “He is witness”.

b. Barnabas the Leader:

• Acts 1:21-26
• Acts 4:36-37
• Acts 9:26-28
• Acts 12: 25
• Acts 15:36-39
• 2 Timothy 4:11

Finally, Here are the three tempters or enemies you need to Watch in course of Leadership:

• Money (Finance): Money may be good, don’t love it, it does have wings and may disappear  –  Proverbs 23:5; 1 Timothy 6:10.
• Immorality (Sex): Avoid it else it will go far towards you. It kills the anoint and the anointed. Keep far away from you for your own good. Get married if so pressured – 1 Corinthians 7:1-7; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
• Pride (Boasting): Deal with it early if you must stay top and maintain pace or position. Humility is your antidote. James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5.

Every Grace,

Pst Chukie