What do you think of when you hear the word “leader?” Maybe you think of a public speaker or the CEO of a company. Maybe you picture someone with a large platform, audience, or following.
God has called us all to be leaders in some capacity. How do we know this? Because we are called to be examples to other people in our faith. In Timothy, we are exhorted to be examples to others in the Word of God.
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Although we may not be leaders in the worldly understanding of the word, we are all called to be a good influence and to be an example to those around us, whether many or few. Leadership isn’t so much about having an assertive personality, or a huge group of loyal followers. It’s understanding that part of our work on earth is to live for Christ, and invite others to join us. We have a calling to live up to.
What Does it Mean to Be a Leader?
Being a leader is more about your approach, mindset, and actions, rather than your outward image of “being a leader.” In other words, it’s less about how you look on the outside, and more about how you take ownership of the calling God has on your life.
You may or may not be a leader in the traditional sense. It’s certainly possible that you will hold a leadership position in a job, ministry, or via a social media platform. However, being a leader isn’t all about having swaths of followers, either on social media or in real life, wearing a power suit, or being a world-renown public speaker. Rather, it means you have a love and care for others that so tangible, people can’t help but want to follow CHRIST because they see how you live. In the end, it’s not about having your gang, group, or followers. That may naturally happen when you start confidently following what God has for you, but it’s not the whole point. When people see you, you get to point them to Christ.
Leadership is a Mindset
You may think, “I’m not really a leader type of person.” You may be excellent at doing things, as long as someone else starts them and then tells you what to do. But guess what? God has placed unique callings and convictions on your heart, maybe ones that no one else is talking about. Those are areas that you can take leadership in.
If you stand for truth even when those around you do not, then you’re a leader.
If you have a conviction about something, then you’re a leader.
If your heart is to serve and care for others, maybe people that no one else sees, then you’re a leader.
If you take ownership for the areas that God has called you to, then you’re a leader.
If you’re love, care, and excellence draws people to you and you help them on their walk with Christ, then you’re a leader
Leadership is about recognizing that there are callings that God has shown you and it’s up to you to respond to them. Because you are a Christian, you are tasked to preach the Gospel in word and action. That means even when no one else is. This takes boldness, vision, and courage. Take ownership of this leadership mindset.
Called to Serve
God shows us leadership isn’t about asserting authority or dominance over other people. It’s about serving. And again, this is something we were all called to do! Jesus’ leadership was simple: DO what God asked him to do. TALK about the things of God. SERVE, LOVE, CARE for others.
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many
Matthew 20:28
Doing these things requires a leadership mindset, because we are called to do so with boldness and conviction. We are called to be in the world and not of it. That takes some serious courage! Jesus gives us all we need to cary out these things. But we need to take ownership of the things we were called to do.
When we understand the importance of our convictions and beliefs and ACT on them, even when it’s not popular, we become leaders.
Being a leader isn’t about getting people to notice you, but about understanding that when you boldly live for Christ people will notice you. And when they do, you get to point them to Christ. Being in the world and not of it means we can’t follow the status quo, go with the flow, and fail to show up when God has placed a conviction in our hearts. Being a leader is speaking up when no one else will. It’s doing the right things when no one else is. It’s choosing to live for Jesus and doing so with boldness when NO ONE else it. It’s about a confidence found only in Jesus that He gives you strength to live life abundantly. It means a deep realization that when people see you truly living in God’s calling for your life, they can’t help but want to follow in your footsteps.
Next Steps
Are you ready to accept leadership in your life? Here are some ways to identify where you might be a leader in your life:
Ask yourself What. What has God placed on your heart as an important conviction? Is it living boldly, living with purpose, sharing the gospel with unbelievers? Is it speaking up about modesty, gossiping, motherhood? Chances are you have a strong conviction, something unshakeable. You feel so passionate about this that even if no one else is doing that thing, you are. That makes you a leader in that area.
Ask yourself Who. Are you passionate about reaching out to children or teens? Do you have a heart for those in foster care, or those in human trafficking? How about young moms, or single women who need a friend? Maybe people from a specific culture or nation. Maybe your neighbors, your coworkers, your kids. Who is it that you have a passion to help and serve? You become a leader not only to these people, but those who are inspired to serve these people along side you.
You’re following may be a few friends and your family. It may be thousands. The number does not matter. What matters is that you understand that you have a sphere of influence, and that people will want to do what you do when they see you walking in the life God called you too. Being a leader might look like leading a large group of people, either in ministry or on social media, or it may look like taking ownership in your home as a mom, and teaching your kids. It may look like speaking up even when no one else is about how to live for Christ in whatever sphere you hold. It may look like encouraging your friend group to study the Word together.
Leadership is leading people to God.
I encourage you to pray about it, and ask God to reveal certain people or certain areas in your life where you can be a leader and an example to bring others to Christ.