One of the first games I remember learning on the school playground was Follow the Leader. You probably played some version of it as well. First, a leader was chosen. Then all of us would line up behind the leader. The leader then moved around and those who followed would have to mimic his/her actions. Any who messed up were out of the game. The last person standing would be declared the new leader, and the game would play out again.
We follow leaders. Have you ever noticed the parallels between the playground game and real life? We pick out those we want to follow, then we imitate and mimic their words as well as their actions.
The success of any endeavor, the reaching of any worthy goal, hinges on competent, inspiring leadership.This especially is crucial in the life of the church. Though the number of leadership books and seminars available to congregations and ministers continues to grow, Leadership 101 begins with the Bible. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, lists the qualities of leaders who deserve our following and our respect.
What the Bible says …
Leaders who lead the church well do so with integrity, gentleness, loving concern, hard work and persistent faithfulness.
Integrity. “. . . with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you” (1 Thessalonians 2:2-3).
According to Acts 16-17, Paul encountered a mixture of acceptance and hostility before he arrived in Thessalonica. The hostility alone could have turned Paul aside from his mission, but he persevered and arrived in that city prepared to tell any who would listen about the truth of the gospel. Some ministers live with a sense of entitlement, as though they are owed something. Those who lead with integrity agree with Paul when he said, “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness” (v. 5).
Gentleness. “As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children” (vv. 6-7).
The concept of gentleness is related to the Old Testament word “meekness.” Many misunderstand meekness as weakness. Though they rhyme with one another, gentleness/meekness does not describe someone who is powerless. Meekness is strength under control. A horse that has been “broken” is no less strong or powerful, but the animal’s power is now controlled by the rider. Leaders who practice gentleness, demonstrate what true power can do.
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Loving concern. “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (v. 8).
The more one loves, the more one is willing to give. This applies in every arena of life. Love grows as we share our lives with others. As we share our lives with others, love grows. A child understands this basic premise of life. Those who lead do well to never forget this premise.
Hard work. “Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you” (v. 9).
Paul will touch on this subject again in 2 Thessalonians 3. There is no excuse for ministers to live lazy, unproductive lives. Paul earned his living as a tentmaker. Though congregations should support those who lead them, ministers should never use their position as a means to live irresponsibly.
Persistent faithfulness. “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed” (v. 10).
Some leaders talk big but say very little. Some leaders start fast and furious, but cannot see things through. Some start off on a good foot, but do not finish well. The difference is perseverance and persistence. Paul is not boasting here in the sense that he pats himself on the back. Rather, he reminds the congregation in Thessalonica that he did not ever give up on his mission.
What the Bible means to me today …
Most every job or occupation has its manual. The passage at hand is an excellent outline for a Minister’s Manual. Lay leaders also will find this “manual” indispensable in developing their own leadership skills.
A closing comment is in order concerning expectations. Paul does not describe himself as perfect and neither should congregations demand perfection from those who are called to lead. Too many times, good, capable leaders are doomed to failure because they simply cannot meet the varied demands and expectations of the people.
Congregations do well to describe carefully the responsibilities and duties of leaders, both clergy and lay. Paul describes a healthy relationship between leaders and followers in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. Believers should “respect” those who “work” hard in leading and teaching. The underlying action is to “love” those who lead and to live “in peace” with one another. Respect on the part of followers is the proper response to those who work hard to lead well. Love and peace are the proper responses of both leaders and followers.
We follow leaders. What kind of leader or follower are you?
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