Books, tapes, CDs and DVDs on leadership cram modern bookstore shelves. You no doubt have viewed and heard many of them. While I enjoy reading books on leadership, my personal study includes only a small fraction of what is on the market. More often than not, the material is insightful and helpful. Even though most leadership resources today have their source and focus in the corporate world, the concepts are normally transferable to Christian ministry.

However, every book or tape produced from a secular perspective leaves the realization that spiritual leadership is fundamentally different from that of business or politics. Indeed, in many ways, they are diametrically opposed. Henri Nouwen sagely observed:

Christian leaders cannot simply be persons who have well-informed opinions about the burning issues of our time. Their leadership must be rooted in the permanent, intimate relationship with the incarnate Word, Jesus, and they need to find there the source for their words, advice and guidance.... Dealing with burning issues without being rooted in a deep personal relationship with God easily leads to divisiveness because, before we know it, our sense of self is caught up in our opinion about a given subject. But when we are securely rooted in personal intimacy with the source of life, it will be possible to remain flexible without being relativistic, convinced without being rigid, willing to confront without being offensive, gentle and forgiving without being soft, and true witnesses without being manipulative. 1

Oh, how I pray that I, along with all Salvation Army officers, soldiers and employees will measure up to Henri Nouwen’s definition of a Christian leader. Amen and amen!

The Bible teaches that the desire to become a leader is a commendable goal. The Apostle Paul reminded his young protégé, Timothy, that “to aspire to leadership is an honourable ambition” (1 Timothy 3:1 NEB). Conditions in Paul’s day, however, were much different from most of the world today. Leader positions such as bishop or overseer were not coveted responsibilities in the first-century church. Early church leaders daily faced life-threatening dangers and carried grave responsibilities. In times of persecution, the leader drew the fire. The leader was the first to suffer and the first to die.

In light of such perilous conditions, Paul’s admonition is not the result of an abundance of leader recruits. No one sought office for selfish reasons. Being a leader was too dangerous. The Apostle was instead providing incentive and praise for those who were willing to take the risks.

In most parts of the world today, Christian leadership accords prestige and privilege; not pain and penalty. There remain, of course, areas of the world where Salvation Army and other church workers are severely persecuted. Paul’s admonition to these comrades rings ever true. However, in large measure, Christian leadership today carries great inducement for self-seeking, unspiritual men and women to hold some prestigious office or rank.

As spiritual leaders (officers, soldiers and employees), we must heed Jeremiah’s warning to Baruch. Jeremiah counselled, “Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them … ” (Jeremiah 45:5). Jeremiah’s caution to Baruch must be held in constant tension with Paul’s instructions to Timothy. Christians can and should aspire to be leaders, but the motivation must be selfless. Herein lays the paradox and enigma of spiritual leadership. Again, Henri Nouwen expresses it well:

I leave you with the image of the leader with outstretched hands, who chooses a life of downward mobility. It is the image of the praying leader, the vulnerable leader, and the trusting leader. May that image fill your hearts with hope, courage, and confidence as you anticipate the next century. 2

1 Henri J. M. Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership (New York, Crossroads Publishing, 1991), pp 31-32. 2 Ibid, p 73

Commissioner William W. Francis, Territorial Commander