Leadership in the church is about being a servant–a leader cannot easily mislead people if he is serving them, and not himself. Submission to leaders is not only taught but to each other as equals.1 Peter 5:5: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility.” Paul and the other apostle’s were careful with their leadership, they showed humility, by following the example of Christ’s serving others, so no one was abused.

They kept in their heart what Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28).

God’s economy does not function the same way as the worlds; humility and servanthood are what we are to look for in God’s true leaders. Their authority came from a willingness to serve others. Real spirituality has humility and seeks the welfare of others first.

Even the spiritual gifts function through servanthood. Their purpose is done by mature servants (leaders) who train others to be servants by example, to equip the church so that everyone will be active in furthering God’s work.

An absolute requirement for leadership is serving In Matthew 20:26-28: “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Peter writes to the elders “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock”(1 Peter 5:2-3). The word for overseers means to beware and watch carefully over the sheep entrusted to them. They are willing to give their reputation, even their lives for the sheep. A shepherd is one who watches the flock because he genuinely loves them, not because it is his job. You can tell a true shepherd by how he guards the sheep. They will address what is false from their pulpits when necessary for the protection of the sheep. They will not compromise the truth with worldly philosophies or trends that are popular in the culture and will try to prevent sheep from being stumbled.

Jesus says in Jn.10:11-13: “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.” Jesus makes it clear about a shepherd’s commitment to others and not to them-self; a false shepherd will not keep watch nor protect the sheep from harm as if they are his own family. He will abandon them when conflict, trouble arises to save his own skin. Maybe he will ignore the conflict to keep peace, maybe he will intentionally not judge someone who is a friend or a big tither; whatever the reason, he avoids conflict. The hireling often surround themselves with people who agree only with them, (yes men).

Any Leadership that avoids addressing the issues can lead to the ruin of the people and make the sheep scatter. But they will always seek the way of peace by evading any controversy. This is not what serving Christ is, it is being men pleasers.

We should never be fixated on following a popular figure and getting our eyes off Christ. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for having this mindset of following men to the exclusion of Christ, stating, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13). Every one has certain Bible teachers, it’s good to have bible teachers but not if they eclipse Jesus. Following man can lead us astray, following Jesus can never lead us astray. As Paul said, imitate me as I imitate Christ. Too many are in a position of authority within the Church “drawing the disciples after themselves.” Jesus is to be pointed to, we should not rely on any man.

True leadership emerges by being faithful, diligent workers for the Lord and students of the word are those who are qualified (Acts 6:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3, 5:17). leaders are to pursue knowledge of the Scriptures, and live them out. Authority is not just given away; the principle is that he who is faithful in the little things will be given more. Faithfulness developed by being under Jesus’ authority, caring for others, sacrificing your time or money if necessary to help. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”

Our authority comes from serving under Christ who is the head of the church; the more you serve, the more you do His will and the more you will become like Jesus, the servant king.

One of the ways we can tell true authority given from God and self-authority exercised by man.

When people tried to follow a certain apostle they were rebuked. Yet today many popular teachers make disciples after their own selves, claiming to have God’s approval of this. They are always in the spotlight making sure people notice what they are doing. They tell you how many people were healed saved and even if one donated a large sum of money. A real servant is busy doing God’s work whether he is noticed or unnoticed. He doesn’t care if anyone watches him.

Paul said, “Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:30). They do this by speaking contrary to sound doctrine. They make learners after themselves, not Christ. The disciples of men follow these teachers, not Christ, they are loyal to that person no matter how wrong they may become. This is how cults begin.

The apostles did not conduct themselves like this. Their ministry was done correctly and honor went to the Lord. One thing the apostles did not do was exercise control in people’s lives. 2 Corinthians 1:24: “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy,” (6:3) “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed,”(7:2) “We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.” Even though they had authority their example was above reproach.

In John 15 Jesus tells the disciples (apostles) He has chosen them for His mission, and that they are no longer to be part of the world and its kingdom but are now servants of God’s kingdom. Nonetheless in v.20 he says, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” Paul wrote, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” If you are walking with the Lord and standing for His truth this promise is for you; you will be persecuted. It can come from within the church just as it can from without. Church history has proven this and the persecution continues today.

We follow His example of becoming a servant on earth; We don’t exercise authority like the king in heaven who rules over us; we are servants, not masters. No one in the church has this authority. The church was never given authority to rule on the earth before king Jesus arrives. We as the church have some authority, but not all. Any authority one has is to be exercised with meekness and humility under his headship. “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us” (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9). The apostles did not use the their title, position or authority to get their own way, to take advantage but always had the Lord’s will and ways in their focus, and that is what we look for in leadership, priestly servants.