Following Christ is more than just a resolve to follow for the rest of our lives, but a challenge to lead others as we follow Christ with them. It's virtually impossible to grow in our walk with God and refuse to grow in leadership. With God's leading comes God's call to lead, and the challenge for us is whether to respond or not.
2 Timothy 2:2 tells us, "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
The call to become disciples of Christ is a call to godly leadership. And I know any Christian who has responded to the call of leadership will know how hard it is.
While leadership is primarily centred and founded on God's grace, there is also a need for us to grow in certain areas and build skills to take on the challenge that is Christian leadership—whether that be applied at home, in the workplace, in the community or in ministry.
Here are five skills that Christian leaders need to develop.
1. Building Visions
One thing that determines the effectivity of a leader is the size and audacity of the vision he carries. Building a compelling vision is vital because it becomes the common ground between us and the people that we lead. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."
2. Communication
No matter how good a vision is, if it is not communicated well, it is just as good as a sales pitch that never happens. Communication skills are a powerful arsenal on any Christian leader's belt. When we make messages clear, people catch it better and run with it more confidently. Habakkuk 2 says, "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it."
3. Strategy
Leaders are the source of strategic direction for organisations, bodies and groups. Where direction is lacking, people will continue to duplicate efforts, run different paces and go different directions. Strategy is what keeps a vision intact in the long run.
4. Team Building
A leader is only as good as the team he builds. In Exodus 18, we read the story of Moses' father-in-law Jethro giving the leader some advice: to build teams who would take care of smaller groups to ensure that Moses would not wear himself out with all the concerns of millions of Israelites. The bigger and better the team, the faster we grow and get things done.
5. Conflict Management
Your team will not always agree on all things, and that's what makes it worth being a part of. Differing opinions drive a team to greater heights. However, those differences need to be channelled in a way that creates healthy conflict. Conflict management does that for the team and thus brings greater results for everyone.
