The Critical Need for the Right Kind of Leadership

By Max Dawson

Almost three decades ago I heard brother Sewell Hall present a lesson on leadership from Joshua. This brief article summarizes some of the things I gleaned from that study.

One of the keys to success in a local church is found in having good shepherds (Acts 20:28-32). God expects these leaders to be of high character and sound moral fiber. What is true of leaders in the church is true of leaders in every place—the home, work, in parenting, and in the community. “Everything rises or falls based on leadership” (John Maxwell).

There is a critical need for leadership in the local church. A critical need for the right kind of leadership. Whatever one’s leadership role might be, there must be the right character within the heart of that person in order to be the kind of leader God wants him to be.

There is a man in the Bible who was not an elder; he was not even part of the New Testament church. Yet he demonstrated that he could fill the critical role of leadership. He had the character a leader needs. The man was a father, and as a father, he serves as a model for those who would “rule well their own houses, that they might also take care of the church of God,” 1 Timothy 3:5.

“As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

Joshua was not only a great military leader, but he was also a great family man. Read Joshua 24:14-15.  His statement in the last sentence of this text shows his determination to lead his family in the right way.  There are lessons for leaders today to be learned from Joshua.

Five lessons for fathers from Joshua.

A father is concerned about danger. The danger Israel faced was spiritual in nature–idolatry. God’s leader has the same concern whether leading nation, family or church.

A father must have the courage to think for himself. The world looks with disfavor on a man who thinks for himself. A father must think independently of current fads and opinion.

The leader in the home must have conviction to stand alone. Joshua was one who was able to march to the beat of a different drummer. A godly father not only exercises authority in the home, but does so in the fear of God. He is dependent on God’s influence.

He must be committed to influence others. Joshua took responsibility for what others would do with their lives. Good fathers don’t let their kids run without direction.

He has the confidence to speak for others. Joshua was not a boaster. His words comprise a humble statement of commitment and determination, that as far as he can influence his family, he will do so. We must learn to express confidence that our children will do right.  We cannot say with absolute certainty what our kids may do, but we can expect them to serve the Lord.

Five lessons from Joshua for leaders in the church.

These lessons particularly apply to those who shepherd the church. Qualities that make for good fathers also make for good bishops in the church (1 Timothy 3:4-5). Character and skill exhibited in one’s own house prepare him to lead God’s house. These points extend beyond the eldership. 

A church leader must be concerned about danger. He is not merely concerned with physical things, but with spiritual things. In the early church elders guarded against dangers from Judaizers, Gnostics, pagan influences, etc. (2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Acts 20:28-31; Titus 1:9). There are countless modern dangers that elders must be on guard against. The devil has not quit making his assaults on the church. This is the elders’ first responsibility. We pray, “Lord help the elders to make good decisions.” But, decision-making is not the main thing they do; to be alert and watchful is!

Shepherds need the courage to think independently. They are under pressure; they live in the same world as you. They watch TV, read newspapers and face the same pressure to conform as you do. They are under pressure of family. Elders may make a decision, go home, and face family pressure to change the decision. He goes back and says, “We can’t….” He would rather face three other elders than his wife and kids. He is under pressure from preachers.  An elder who allows a preacher to control him is unworthy to be an elder, though he must not be self-willed. They may be under pressure from other churches. He can’t ask what other churches will think, but “Is this right or wrong?” God’s will must rule him.

Bishops must have conviction to stand alone. God’s leader concedes matters of judgment. Judgment is not the place to take a stand. But the elder has no right to compromise what God has said in matters of truth, in matters of the faith! The church is not a democracy, but a kingdom. In a democracy, authority comes from people, from beneath. In a kingdom, authority comes from above. (This is not to say that elders give no ear to the people; they must, in matters of judgment.) But, in matters of right and wrong, the voice that is listened to is the voice from above (1 Peter 5:2-4; Acts 20:28).  Elders must be assertive in insisting that God’s will be done. Timidity is not modesty. Lack of leadership is not humility. Shepherds need to be in the forefront of leading in the way that is right.

Elders make a commitment to influence others. God expresses what the elders’ goals must be in Ephesians 4:11-16. They are to prepare the saints to be ministers to edify the body of Christ. To bring to the unity of the faith; to make the body a united, working unit. To bring to Christlikeness; that all may imitate Christ and be mature in him. To bring to stability in conviction; that all may know and do what is right. To bring diligence in teaching. This causes the growth of the body unto edifying of itself. When this happens, those shepherds are successful. No matter what else may be said of a church—its attendance, contribution, plans–if this is not happening, the eldership is less than God wants. Elders are responsible to see to it that God’s house is faithful to God.

He has confidence to speak for others. He must be willing to say, “This congregation is going to be loyal to God.” There needs to be encouragement to that end, not berating. The congregation needs to see itself as a united body of people who love God and one another. Just as a child has an image of self, so does a church. Churches must have faults pointed out, but constant berating benefits little.

What is the why of it all? Just so the church can run efficiently? The bottom line has to do with souls. 

Elders are in the soul business (Hebrews 13:17). It is a love for souls, a desire to see souls in heaven. That is why elders not only care for the souls already saved, but must encourage the church to be aggressive in evangelism. Let us all seek souls.