The Character of a Leader: Love Those You Lead

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters.

In my previous two messages, I shared leadership values from VCP Supervisor Peter Baraka. We began with being a willing listener.  Good leaders listen well in order to understand others’ thoughts and opinions.  We followed that with being unafraid of criticism because we stand secure in Jesus Christ.  Today, I will conclude these insights from Peter with what is most likely the most powerful of his leadership values.  “We must love those we lead.”  

Love is a very strong motivator for us as well as for those whom we lead.  The apostle Paul described this mindset in Philippians 2:3-5.   “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”

At the heart of “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” and “in humility value others above yourselves” is servant leadership.  Leadership is for service, not power.  Christian leadership is firstly for the benefit of the Kingdom and secondly for the benefit of others. Leadership is not about making oneself appear great to others or about amassing financial resources.   

When Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 20:25-27, He … “called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.’”  

As good and godly leaders demonstrate their genuine love for their followers, several positive things happen:

• Followers feel appreciated and motivated.  Their commitment to the vision increases.

• Relationships and loyalty with one’s followers develops and then becomes strengthened. Teamwork and hard work follow. 

• There is forgiveness for unintended mistakes or offenses

• You begin to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to pray for one another, and to provide practical support for each other. 

• Kingdom work advances because everyone is working for a common Purpose.  

Love for those we lead is a mindset.  It’s a choice and a commitment that we must intentionally make. 1 Corinthians 13 is often called the “love chapter” of the Bible. Verses 4 and 5 read in part, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered” 

Let us love well those whom we lead.  

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.