I have been thinking of what personifies spiritual leadership. Three examples come to mind. I started thinking about how different they are. These three would not remind you of each other if you met them separately. They are not cookie-cutter characters. They obviously have accepted their uniqueness and are not trying to portray an accepted image. I am positive, however, that if they met together, there would be instant harmony and absolutely no competitiveness. You'd be impressed by each one's confidence yet genuine humility. They don't talk humbly, they are humble. They have no hint of false humility. Their confidence is in their calling. When God calls, he equips with gifts and opportunities. Each is highly intelligent; they have achieved academically. They have an intellectual curiosity that keeps them current yet a wisdom born of scriptural principles that keeps them wise. They do not look on their intelligence as a separation between themselves and others. Rather, they use it to serve others. Like a doctor who uses his health to serve the sick, so they use their intelligence and wisdom to serve the less knowledgeable. All have a keen sense of personal relationship with God, both in doing his will and ultimately in being judged by him. Their goal is to hear "Well done, good and profitable servant." Like the servants in the parable, they expect God to ask them about their profitability to him, not their personal enjoyment or celebrity status. (On the contrary, leaders seduced by power, prestige, and money may hear the Lord say, "You got your reward on earth. There is very little left for you up here.") Their self-love has been lost in the cause of Christ. These spiritual leaders seemingly delight in anonymity. They don't seek honors or take time to do activities just for recognition. They, like Mother Teresa, would rather work than be honored. They quickly give any honor or recognition to others. Anonymity contributes to Christian solitude and meditation. Focus is a great time-saver. Their vision is accreted, not impetuously arrived at by some special "three A.M. revelation" from God himself. They understand the power of genuine consensus and participation in a shared vision that all accept as having come from God. They never mandate vision on their organizations. Each organization is exceptionally lean. Administration is a necessary evil and must be done as efficiently as possible in order to minimize the time and energy devoted to it. These spiritual leaders select associates according to gifts and passion, knowing that work delegated to people with the proper gifts and passion needs little supervision, only coordination to move the vision forward. None of them is cursed with the need to be needed. They are anxious for others to get the credit. Each defines the intended accomplishment of the organization very specifically. It may be to change thinking, develop attitudes, influence behavior, or accomplish a specific mission. No matter what the organization is doing, it is well disciplined in getting defined results. These leaders are not interested in maintaining a program. If there's no wheat coming out of the thresher, they shut it off. I have been impressed at how quickly they stop nonproductive activity. Each is a creative thinker. Their minds range outside of the box. Knowing what they are trying to accomplish, they are able to see the opportunities as well as the problems. Each has an unmistakable freshness to his life, as if the Spirit is continually pouring power into him. They have a deep peace, with no continual judging of themselves about whether they are doing what they ought to do or succeeding as they ought to succeed. There seems to be a deep spring of joy in their lives, and though they laugh very differently, they all laugh easily. They seem to have no image to protect and therefore are able to be personable on a one-on-one basis. These patterns are functions of ego control, passion and a clear understanding of purpose. Leadership in this model gets things done in the right way for the right reason.
Spiritual Leadership
Fred Smith outlines some common characteristics of three spiritual leaders that he respects.
By Fred Smith
