The Big Picture

The Leadership Edition

Pictured: Gary Hill, Executive Director

So how do we approach leadership? We need to approach it with an overwhelming sense of humility.

“ “ Christian leadership is an enigma. Every single Christian leader, at some stage in their life, has been opposed to the message of the Christian faith. It may not have been blatant hostility like Saul/ Paul's breathing fire (Acts 9:1), but every person has been a rebel, and rejected God's rule (Rom 3:23). The exception, of course, is Jesus. Rather than disobeying God, Jesus always honoured His Heavenly Father. And this is where the exception makes such a difference. In 2 Corinthians 5 we read "God made he who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (v.21). Those who trust in Him are reconciled to God, made a new creation, and are commissioned to carry the message of reconciliation (vv.17-20). So how do we approach leadership? We need to approach it with an overwhelming sense of humility. Despite past failings, we have been called into Royal service. And not only have we been called, but we have also been equipped by the Holy Spirit with gifts to employ as a blessing to others, and continually refreshed for this role as we walk with Him. This is a challenge in a society that confuses pride with leadership. Admittedly, a number of secular writers will note the value of the servant leader, and applaud the one who displays humility, but it is often couched as a tool to win followers' affection. The Christian leader will reject such manipulation. Instead, the Christian leader looks past the earthly transaction to recognise the spiritual truth. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else." (Acts 17:24-25) The humble leader will therefore be prayerful as we recognise our dependence on the sovereign God. As such we will seek His will and His glory and not be distracted from this. In times of plenty, the Christian leader will remind people to trust in God’s character and not be seduced by things which are fleeting. In times of uncertainty, the Christian leader will again point to God as the one who can be trusted in all circumstances. CRU is blessed to have so many people being willing to serve wholeheartedly as leaders. As a young Christian I know that I grew enormously from involvement in CRU's training programs, and through older CRU leaders who invested in me, and I was able to take these lessons back to my church, youth group and onto the Uni campus. Please pray for all involved in Christian leadership at CRU, that they would never lose sight of the goal: to see God receive glory as we share the wonderful news of new life in Jesus.