Leadership is not rocket science. You have perhaps heard the statement that everyone is a leader. That is, everyone serves as an influence and example to someone else. The generalization may have exceptions, but it is basically true. You are a leader. Who are you leading?
We may be helped by thinking of leadership as influence. Influence (leadership) occurs as various levels. There are at least five levels of spiritual influence.
First, there is the influence of Christian presence, example, and spirituality. A Christian lives life so that others note Christ’s presence within. The presence of the Holy Spirit is also obvious. This is the leadership exercised through the example of moral living and spiritual sensitivity.
Second, there is the influence of teaching. Teachers are leaders. Some lead our babies, some lead our pre-schoolers. Others lead our children; yet others lead our adolescents. Leadership is not limited to teachers of adults, nor is leadership limited to those who teach in the educational program at church. Those who can effectively teach evangelistic Bible studies are also leaders.
[Note: Sadly we have generally limited official church leadership to these first two levels. How does a person live their life? Is the person a formal teacher? These are our legal measuring stick concerning the “qualifications”. Often to our detriment, we have at times added a third level of influence–success in the world. We must think in terms of qualities, characteristics and biblical actions more than qualifications.]
Third, according to the Bible, spiritual leadership is exercised by facilitating and equipping others for service. This may be example; it is also mentoring, training, and demonstrating the service and ministry of the Christian community.
Fourth, leaders produce other leaders. The result of a leader is not a large group of followers; the result of a leader is another leader. The result of a Christian is another Christian. Teachers produce more teachers. This is true in the public school arena, it is also true down at the church house. Spiritual people produce more spiritual people.
Fifth, a high level of leadership is the influence that allows leaders to produce leaders who can produce other leaders, as in 2 Timothy 2:2.
What other levels of influence can you identify in Scripture? What would you add?