“This year, I want to be a more _____ leader.” How would you complete the sentence?

Maybe you would answer a more “effective” leader, but that’s dealing with effects, not causes. Try to back up one step further. Think about what actually makes an effective leader.

Perhaps you would say a more “persuasive” leader, or a more “inspiring” leader. Or maybe for you, the word would be disciplined, or organized, or team-building, or knowledgeable, or trustworthy, or contextual, or delegating.

There are many legitimate answers. But let me submit to you another word that should rise to the top of your list:

“This year, I want to be a more Christ-like leader.”

The answer is so obvious I fear that many of us miss us. The single, most important goal that leaders should have in the new year is to be more like Jesus. This is, after all, the very reason we were saved. “For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29).

Jesus makes clear in the upper room that leaders are to imitate his example. After stunning his disciples by washing their feet, he returns to the table and says, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

Biblical leadership begins with servant leadership. And servant leadership begins by fixing our eyes on the greatest servant-leader of all time, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May a new army of foot-washers and Christ-followers rise up and follow the footsteps of our king.

According to 1 Corinthians 12:7 and 1 Peter 4:10, every single Christian has a spiritual gift. What’s yours?

Perhaps you have the gift of mercy (Romans 12:8) or the gift of teaching (1 Peter 4:11). Maybe you are wired for serving (1 Peter 4:11), exhortation (Romans 12:8), or evangelism (Ephesians 4:11).

Whatever your gift, or blending of gifts, know that your gift was hand crafted by the Holy Spirit to help you build up others in the body of Christ (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:11; 14:26).

Of all the passages that deal with spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:11-13; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Peter 4:7-11), it is interesting to note that the term “leadership” appears only once — in Romans 12:8.

The ESV says, “the one who leads, [must lead] with zeal.”

The NASB says, “he who leads, [must lead] with diligence.”

The NLT, though a looser, more dynamic equivalent version, often has an punchy way of translating the Bible. I like how it renders this verse: “If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.”

I have been blogging for eleven years now, and have written over 775 posts. I will be the first to admit I have not always been consistent, but God continues to give me a desire to write.

Recently, I have been thinking and praying about the purpose of this blog, and how I might narrow its focus a bit. I believe the answer to that question is to focus on the gift of leadership. Moving forward, it’s my prayer that this blog will specifically help and encourage those who have been gifted with spiritual leadership.

Are you gifted or interested in leadership? Then I hope you will join me in the conversation!