By Larry J. Walker

We all experience leadership—both as leaders and as those being led. Leadership can be found in the home, on the job and in church. Leadership is a fundamental part of being an elder. The principles of God’s law are the same in any frame of reference.

Let’s consider some characteristics of godly leadership as they apply to us as elders, and contrast them with ungodly leadership qualities.

First a word of explanation about the title. When we speak of "pro" and "con," we mean "for" and "against." Some qualities work for the good, others against godly leadership. Some of the goals of godly leadership are to protect, promote & provide for those being led so they can be productive.

Some of the results of wrong leadership are control, conflict and confusion. Many of the problems we have suffered through in our church history are the result of ungodly leadership qualities. To borrow a phrase from the Holocaust, "this must never happen again!"

The prefix con (or com or co) can also have a positive meaning of "together with," which is one of the fundamental concepts of Godly leadership.

Here are some "pro’s" and "con’s" (good and bad) of Godly leadership.

Concern vs. Contempt

Concern for others doesn’t come naturally. The natural tendency of human nature is to concentrate on taking care of our needs and wants, often at the expense of others. We witness this in nearly every aspect of our daily lives—on the highway, in checkout lines of stores (especially during sales). Failure to express concern translates into contempt for fellow human beings.

On the other hand, many people who are healthy, happy and successful and virtually free from want live complacently in an ivory tower, untouched by the suffering of the needy. The bottom line is that most people are so busy "looking out for number one" that they often don’t think about the needs of others.

A Godly leader cares about the welfare of everyone, not just his own. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of concern for others (Phil 2:1-8).

The responsibility of elders goes beyond concern for material welfare of others. They are also responsible for promoting the spiritual welfare of those they serve.

Conscience plays a key role in our relationship with God. Conscience is a delicate personal matter between each individual and God (Romans 14:22-23). Protecting the conscience of God’s people (as well as our own) should be a major concern to everyone in leadership positions.

One of the main complaints still often voiced is the atmosphere of criticism and condemnation that festers in some congregations. Many show contempt for the conscience of others by condemning conduct that they feel is sinful, or however else they wish to label it (Romans 14:10-13).

Elders must do everything possible (by preaching, teaching and counseling) to instruct and encourage everyone to root out these elements of human nature and replace them with loving concern. Of course they must model that concern in their personal life and ministry.

Compassion vs. Condemnation

Compassion goes a much deeper than concern. It is a deep, heartfelt emotion that motivates one to help a person in need. Compassion means, "to suffer with." It involves being emotionally invested in the needs of others. This quality is the main theme of one whole book of the Bible. Lamentations expresses Jeremiah’s deep emotional reaction to the conditions of the nation of Judah and the consequent suffering of the nation. The term "bowels" is mentioned in the KJV (Lamentations 1:20, 2:11). Although this is considered a figurative usage, it is widely known that the colon is affected by deep emotions.

1 John 3:17 (KJV) poses a provocative rhetorical question regarding compassion: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

The context extends to all who claim to be motivated by the love of God. Leaders should set the pace in this important quality of godly leadership.

Again, Jesus Christ is the example. Three passages in the book of Matthew state that He was moved with compassion in response to situations involving suffering and need (Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14). The expression "moved with compassion" translates the verb form of the word translated "bowels of compassion" in I John 3:17. As our High Priest, Jesus is able to have compassion on us, having suffered all the tests of human life during His earthly ministry (Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-15; 5:1-2).

Compassion is a quality of godly leadership. Human leaders also must be "touched with the feelings of the infirmities" of the people they serve. The trials many salaried elders have experienced in recent years, though painful and traumatic, have hopefully deepened their capacity for compassion for members of their congregations who have undergone similar trials.

Communication vs. confusion (stemming from lack of communication)

It has been said that any relationship is only as good as the quality of its communication. Communication involves more than what we say and how we say it. Godly leadership requires active listening with concern and compassion (James 1:19). When suffering members seek counsel, their most urgent need is for understanding and empathy.

Stereotypically, men tend to be "fixers" more than listeners. Women are usually better at focusing on the whole person and his or her emotional needs. Is this one reason members often seek out ministers’ wives to air their concerns? We can probably all improve on being more caring listeners.

Openness is another important dynamic of communication and Godly leadership. Jesus communicated openly with His disciples (John 15:15). He confided in them and shared with them the important details of His ministry. This passage also suggests that open, honest communication constitutes one important area of difference between a friend and a servant.

What does that suggest regarding human leaders, especially church leaders?

When I was first sent into the field ministry, I was told that I needed to establish a "distance" between me and members of my congregation, or they would not respect me. Thankfully, I was never able to do this and thus did not carry out the advice. I have in fact found the opposite to be true. I believe that people respect and relate to leaders who are transparent and approachable. The Bible principle of "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) suggests to me that we should be able to be described as "what you see is what you get."

Godly leadership involves forming and nurturing close relationships, not creating "distance." Being "out of the loop" can result in uncertainty and confusion. Feeling left out can also be intimidating and can lead to anger and/or discouragement, and breed distrust and suspicion.

Consensus vs. Command

Consensus is fundamental to the governing process of the United Church of God. It is a new phenomenon that is quite a turnaround from the past. Some of us may still have more to learn about what it is and how to use it.

Consensus is not just counting votes. It is a process of coming to agreement as result of open discussion in an atmosphere of mutual respect where everyone’s concerns are voiced and considered. It is trusting God to lead the group to a conclusion that draws from the collective wisdom of everyone. The process of seeking consensus embodies all the previous points listed above.

Elders can and should apply this leadership style in every facet of their ministry and personal lives. They also need to help members learn and practice consensus. This is also a new and unpracticed skill for many of them, who have been accustomed to being told what to do with little or no opportunity to give meaningful input.

The hall we meet in for Sabbath services is the result of consensus. When we had to find a different meeting place a few years ago, I located a very nice meeting room at reasonable cost in a conveniently located new motel. I enthusiastically announced that I had located a fine new meeting hall. Word later got back to me via my wife (admittedly a better listener than I) that many members would prefer a location with more privacy. After discussing the matter with the congregation, we settled on a different location.

I hope I never forget the lesson. Pastors may feel they know what is best for their congregation; but without their input, they can be very wrong. When pastors give them an opportunity to air their thoughts and feelings, they can arrive at true consensus. This also shows members that their pastor appreciates them and values their input.

The Jerusalem Council recorded in Acts 15 is a prime example of consensus at its best.

It provides a model of governance that we are seeking to emulate in the United Church of God. Recent Council of Elders meetings that I have been privileged to sit in on are the best example of consensus I have seen. Other notable examples I have experienced are doctrinal committee discussions and the fundamentals of belief sermon review team.

The down side of consensus is that it often takes a lot of time to achieve. The alternative involves one man issuing commands on a "like it or lump it basis." Acts 15 would have been a very short chapter if Paul and Barnabas had simply gone to Jerusalem to get a unilateral ruling from Peter. The record shows that the final decision was a product of a long and probably even, at times, heated open discussion.

Consensus takes more time than the alternative, but it is well worth the wait.

Coordination vs. Control

After consensus is reached, the results must be implemented in a biblical manner. A leader is responsible to oversee and coordinate, but not to control. Coordination centers on the product and the process; control focuses on power and politics.

Unfortunately, some leaders don’t seem to know the difference between the two. Such a leader may not be aware of his authoritarian style. His constituents could tell him, but they probably won’t because he probably won’t ask. Even if he does, they may feel too intimidated to tell him.

This gets back to the importance of proper communication. A Godly leader seeks and welcomes feedback (even criticism and complaints). Church pastors should value and regularly seek input from our members. The most candid feedback requires the option of anonymity.

Some of the Festival surveys I read last year contained complaints about communication problems (including control) of some pastors. Perhaps some of the comments were skewed and invalid. But perceptions are very real and need to be taken seriously and addressed with concern and compassion.

We should do all we can to keep the communication lines open. The results will assure greater effectiveness in our congregations.

II Corinthians 1:24 succinctly defines the responsibilities and limits of the pastoral role: "Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by [your] faith, you stand." That pretty well "says it all."

Collaboration vs. Competition

The word "helpers" in II Corinthians 1:24 (sunergos in Greek) means "co-laborers." Collaboration means "working together." The approach is well expressed in the old saying, "We’re all in this thing together."

Godly leadership seeks and promotes working together. Ungodly leadership is competitive and self-seeking (Luke 22:24-26).

Cooperation vs. Conflict

Cooperation is synonymous with collaboration; both mean "working together." Collaboration refers to joint action, whereas cooperation emphasizes the attitude of working together.

We usually think of cooperation as the response of those being led. But by its very definition, cooperation is a two-way street between leaders and those being led. In United, we have called this "mutual submission," a scriptural concept derived from Ephesians 5:21.

Godly leadership promotes an atmosphere of working together for the good of all. The alternative is a power struggle for someone seeking control. Godly leadership results in cooperation; authoritarianism results in conflict.

The presence or absence of joy is a telltale sign for which kind of leadership is present.

Godly leadership is a product of godly wisdom and produces godly results; authoritarianism is a product of human nature and produces evil results (James 3:13-18).

The more we learn and the better we practice the characteristics of godly leadership, the better results we will achieve for all concerned.

Godly leadership is paramount in importance in every aspect of our lives. It is what the Church is all about; it is what church government is all about. It is God’s people learning to work together as a family team in preparation for our eternal destiny—working together as kings and priests in the Kingdom of God.

Listen to Real Audio sermon on Pro's & Con's of Godly Leadership