A true leader doesn’t create separation. A true leader brings people together. – Unknown

This month we celebrated President’s Day and Black History Month. Originally, my plan for this post was to talk about a few of our greatest Presidents and African-American leaders, and there have been many. However, my list may not be the same as yours. Chances are we may have some of the same names, but it is unlikely to be an exact match.

When I was teaching I could tell who was a leader and who was a follower. Parents must monitor the crowd their children are a part of to ensure their children have positive role models and influences. Who determines who is a good role model or a positive influence? Most base their assessment on personal experience, popular opinion, or history. The criteria may be based on characteristics and beliefs a person values. Another factor is how that leader’s actions benefit us. So, what are the requirements of a great leader? If the criteria is based on personal beliefs and perspective, who is right? First of all, as a Christian, what we think doesn’t matter. The only perspective is God’s perspective. In order to know that is to go to THE source of truth… the Word of God.

I don’t remember who said the quote above, but it does align with the Bible. God does not create separation and He brings people together. He created us for community. The scripture even says, “Where two or more are gathered together…” (Matthew 18:20). I recently heard a sermon by Jason Byers, pastor of a local church, speak on interpretation versus application. Interpretation asks What is God saying? Application asks What should we do about it? So, rather than list who I think were our greatest leaders, I decided to state what the Bible says and leave the rest up to you, my readers.

The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. – Proverbs 10:31-32 NLT

The first role of a leader is that of overseer. Two positions in the church considered overseers are elders and deacons. First Timothy chapter three verse two says, “an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach…exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation…enjoy having guests in his home [hospitable, a people person] and he must be able to teach.” (NLT). The chapter goes on to list characteristics and behaviors like: “not a heavy drinker or violent,… gentle not quarrelsome, and not love money… having children who respect and obey him.” Verse seven says “people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.” Verses eight and nine lists the qualities of deacons saying the “must be well respected and have integrity… not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money…. committed to the mystery of the faith… live with a clear conscience.” Verse 11 says, “...they must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.” Deacons who do well “will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus” (v. 13).

Titus chapter one gives instructions for appointing elders in the towns on the island of Crete. It says in verse six an “elder must live a blameless life… be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. An elder is a manager of God’s household…. must not be arrogant or quick-tempered;… not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money…. enjoy having guests in his home,… love what is good…. live wisely and be just…. live a devout and disciplined life” (v. 5-8 NLT). It goes on to warn against rebellious people “who engage in useless talk and deceive others…. turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money” (v. 10-11). Verse 14 instructs them to stop listening to myths and “the commands of people who have turned away from the truth.” The chapter conclude with “Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good” (v. 15-16).

The second role of a leader is someone who holds promise. Isaiah describes a righteous king and honest princes as ones who will be a “shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a parched land… eyes will be able to see the truth,… ears will be able to hear it. Even hotheads will be full of sense and understanding. Those who stammer will speak out plainly. In that day ungodly fools will not be heroes. Scoundrels will not be respected. For fools speak foolishness and make evil plans. They practice ungodliness and false teachings about the Lord. They deprive the hungry of food and give no water to the thirsty. The smooth tricks of scoundrels are evil. They plot crooked schemes. They lie to convict the poor, even when the cause of the poor is just. But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity” (Isaiah 32:1-8 NLT).

Lastly, the role of a leader is to serve. “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many‘” (Matthew 20:25-28 and Mark 10:42-45 NLT).

I encourage you to look up these scriptures, read them, and meditate on them. Then apply them to the leaders you support and follow, whether in the church, your home, your job, your city, state, or country. Are they righteous or scoundrels? When you vote are you voting for leaders who serve you or those who want to be served?

Until another day,

AC