So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers …
Summary: The one thing all of the people Paul mentions have in common is leadership. Leaders, regardless of their specialty, share certain traits. Our meditation today is all about leadership.
When Paul begins this sentence,* he is following through on the thought he started in verse four. Paul tells us that there is only one body and one God over all. Then he explains that each one is gifted according to God’s grace. Finally, he explains that some are called to be leaders of various kinds.
So what does it mean to be a “leader” in the body of Christ?
This is a topic that could occupy us for an entire year! There are probably hundreds of references and examples to draw on in Scripture. For the sake of brevity, I want to focus on one verse in particular.
In Mark’s Gospel account, he quotes Jesus saying, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) From where I sit, this verse sums up the life of our Lord Jesus, our God, and the life of a true leader in the body of Christ.
It doesn’t matter what your calling is. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers all qualify as a “leader” of people. In the world’s view, a leader gives direction, makes decisions, and tells others what to do. In the body of Christ, a leader sets the example, obeys God, and serves others. There is a vast difference between the two.
When people in the church are called into leadership, it is tempting for some to think of it as an opportunity to exert worldly leadership. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. People who attempt to “boss” others around in the church body, end up causing division. This is the very thing Jesus wanted to avoid (John 17:23).
One way to describe a leader in the body of Christ is to paraphrase Paul’s description of love in his letter to the church at Corinth:
Leaders in the body of Christ are patient and kind. They do not envy or boast. They are not proud. Leaders do not dishonor others and they are not self-seeking. Leaders are not easily angered, they keep no record of wrongs, and they do not delight in evil but rejoice in the truth. Christian leaders who follow Christ always protect, always trust, always hope, and always persevere. (Paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7)
Not a very glamorous job description from the world’s point of view. But for the Christian who wants to serve Jesus, it is a roadmap to success.
Application: If you need leadership, find a good leader. If you are a leader, be a good one.
Food for Thought: Who is not a leader in the body of Christ? How does our leadership affect others within the body? How does Christian leadership impact those outside the body?
*In some translations this passage is a continuation of a sentence.
If you think about the difference between leadership “releasing “ “freeing” and management “reigning in.” This is another worldly definition that is used in business management. The good leader releases his power and empowers others. A manager puts controls in place in the form of rules and policies. Obviously Jesus was a servant leader, but he also released his power through the Holy Spirit. The Jewish leaders at the time were “managers” always worried about the rules.
James,
Welcome to the blog! Thank you for sharing about management as well. You remind me of something my dad used to say about management: A good manager gives his people the tools they need to do their job and then gets out of the way to let them work. There is an element of trust involved (See 1 Corinthians 13:7).
Who is not a leader in the body of Christ?
I was once a part of a team putting on Vacation Bible school for the kiddos. It was a very well-put together program. The church transformed the basement into a kingdom highlighting the full Armor of God. I helped in the “Sword of the Spirit” area; we helped the kiddos make cardboard swords. One of the other team members was a 15-year old girl. I remember hearing the girl helping a 6-year old, and that 6-year old asking, “why we were making swords.” The 14-year old explained in very simple words that God gave us the Bible as our sword, not to hurt people, but to protect us, and if we keep the Bible in our hearts we are holding the handle and God will keep us safe.
That, at it’s very basic level, speaks to the heart of a leader in the Body. One that speaks the truth to understanding. One that has eternal vision and sees not only was is but what can be and will be.
One who is not a leader lacks those two qualities.
James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
2 Corinthians 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
How does our leadership affect others within the body?
One thing I know about leaders is that they are always moving forward. If they are not, then there is something else going on there. Leadership within the body affects others by moving them forward in Christ. Whether it be through speaking the Word, playing an instrument, assisting in the Communion Service, leaders foster the Spirit’s coming.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
How does Christian leadership impact those outside the body?
Those outside the body do not know or understand Christ. What those outside the body see of the body will either present invitation or exclusion. Those who sit at the table must set a place for our neighbor.
1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Luke 14:13-14 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
Thanks Chris!
I love the VBS example! Sounds like it was a great program that year.
I appreciated all of your comments, but your closing comment really hit home:
“Those outside the body do not know or understand Christ. What those outside the body see of the body will either present invitation or exclusion. Those who sit at the table must set a place for our neighbor.”
You’ve gone to 3 questions on the three minute Bible. I like Chris’s comments, very insightful.
Yes, I broke the mold today. 🙂
Good devotion brother. And I appreciate the other comments.
Who is not a leader in the church body? Anyone who is sincerely following Christ either is or will lead someone. We are all called to be followers of Jesus who invest in others (2 Timothy 2: 2). As we reproduce ourselves in others we are leading them to be more like Christ – following in our footsteps as we are hopefully becoming more like Christ. We all want to be able to say what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11: 1: Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.
Thank you, Rich!
Yes, I agree. As I thought about this topic I realized that at some level being a believer means all believers are leaders (servants).
06-23-2023, Who is not a leader in the body of Christ?
RON IS NOT A LEADER, CHRIST IS.
How does our leadership affect others within the body?
REMOVE BARRIERS, HELP OTHERS BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE.
How does Christian leadership impact those outside the body?
OTHERS SEE THE DIFFERENCE AND QUESTION WHY, HOW.
At 17, seven of us were standing before a judge who gave us 30 days to be in the military of we would be confined. He was tired of seeing us. I chose the USMC and the next 4 months were extremely difficult, more than one would be crying themselves to sleep at night.
Fast forward to first level management and NCO leadership training, where To my surprise Marines are trained in servant leadership. We learned, we were effective only as our team was effective. The Marine Corps was issuing each of us 3 men who we were to watch over, care for and train to operate effectively as one. We served our men and made sure they were in good physical condition, supplied with everything they needed to be effective, competent as a team.
After my discharge I was hired as 1 of 1200 employees in a large manufacturing company as a base labor heavy. I served 8 women by doing all their heavy lifting, and keeping their machines running effectively. In time I was moved into management and came to know Jesus. Eventually I managed two plants, one in Portland, one outside New York. In the end I developed and produced my own product, started and in time sold this very successful company to a large national firm and retired from work.
Jesus Christ cannot be contained, He is in the hearts of each believer and will minister to this world through His people. In counseling others we always include explaining how He is the answer to all our problems. As others watch us they will be drawn to Christ in us and ask, “ Why are you different?”, or “ How can I be like you?”. And we hear ourselves telling them. Individuals or in some cases entire families, people addicted to drugs, alcohol, social drop outs, others overcome with anger, beaten down and rejected, a brain washed Chinese communist Lieutenant in the Chinese Army. God will bring people to us from all levels of society, the Holy Spirit will convict them, we remain open to moving out of the way and allowing our Lord to speak to them as only He knows will open their hearts.
Ron,
Absolutely! Every good thing in us is a reflection of our Lord Jesus!
Your illustrations are spot on, too. I love the story of what you learned in the Marines and how God has used that training in your life.
He can definitely make a silk purse out of a Sow’s ear!
Who is not a leader in the body of Christ?
Aren’t all disciples called to make disciples. We are all leaders to a degree, some leaders of a few, some leaders of many, some leaders of children, some leaders of adults.
Discipleship, mentoring, teaching, preaching, advice giving. I don’t think any member of the body of Christ is 0% percent leader.
How does our leadership affect others within the body?
Discipleship and mentoring have a profound impact on other believers because of how personal and intentional the relationship is. The leaders faults will be seen, more importantly how they deal with these faults. Every leader can be a positive or negative influence, choose to be the positive influence and address your faults with wisdom.
Teaching and preaching have an effect on a person’s foundation. I believe people decide where to lay the bricks of their building based off those in this type of leadership. They trust that these leaders have studied more than they have, have access to something they don’t, or just know better. Whether those assumptions are true or not, their listeners will build according to where these leaders direct them.
Advice givers, I define as those people who are passing influences on a person, not an intimate friend, not someone on stage, but someone you meet and see certain strengths that make you respect them. These leaders, or influencers, speak something into a person’s life that sticks. The influencer may be oblivious to their effect, but the hearer will remember a specific conversation with great detail for their life. Fork in the road decisions are made based off of them. These influencer could be literally anybody, which is one reason why we should all be careful about the words we say and not be careless.
How does Christian leadership impact those outside the body?
This is more of a Spirit thing. Not that the other aspects are void of Spiritual aspects, because that would be false. But our impact on non believers will be based on the softness or hardness of their hearts. Whether the Spirit has called them and they are listening to that call.
Well, that’s the positive side, the negative side makes the papers. Sin in Christian leadership is easily used to keep people away from Christ. This is when we don’t stand firm and let the flesh, temptation, or the demonic have their way.
Remembering that actions speak and teach others also.
Good stuff T&A!
Excellent T and A. Well said
T&A
Well said! I agree that all believers become leaders in the spiritual sense. We might not know it, but it shakes out that way.
Very interesting insights on how people in different roles have different impacts on others. I would guess there is a lot of overlap, many things that all believers strive for that develop into a servant’s heart for the Lord. Then there is our specific calling as you point out.
Thank you!