Principles of Leadership

The Biblical principles of leadership are numerous but here are some essentials.

Under Authority

For spiritual authority to be effectually exercised, the leader must come under authority. "For I also am a man set under authority" said the centurion to Jesus, he then added " having under me soldiers and I say unto one Go, and he goeth; and to another Come and he cometh; and to my servant Do this, and he doeth it" (Luke 7:8). The authority that the centurion exercised was effective over his soldiers and servants because he was 'set under authority'.

This means, the leader looses his INDEPENDENCE AND BECOMES INTERDEPENDENT. Being under such authority is the safeguard for the leader himself and to those under his care.

To come under authority (spiritual) is a great blessing and thus to be released to the local ministry.

This submission and being under authority must not be vague or remote but it must be verbalized (openly declared and confessed)

To Whom Should I submit?

Certain helps to find spiritual authority or men to whom we must be committed:

1. Those who have Godly authority in their own lives.

2. Those whom you recognize as being elders and ministers over you.

3. They have to be men who can receive from God for you.

4. They have to be men who stretch and enlarge you in God.

They have to be men who will speak the truth to you. Leadership is a process and not a crisis. It is essential to realize that leadership comes gradually. Moses prematurely supposed that he could lead the millions out of Egypt, he thought he was a leader and he expected his brethren to recognize it (Acts7:,25). But his brethren did not recognize it.. Moses was to develop his leadership in another 40 years.

Leadership develops over many years as God looks for faithfulness in our lives.

Some essential principles of leadership are learnt from the parable of the talents narrated by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 25:14-30.

1. Leadership must be able to be trusted: A leader must be one who can be depended upon and entrusted with leadership. "A man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants and DELIVERED UNTO THEM HIS GOODS" (vs. 14)

2. Leadership must have ability (anointing): Leadership is not a matter of appointment but anointment. "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two and to another one, and to every man according to his several ability"(vs15). Leadership, its to recognize the endowment. It germinates from being faithful in small things. When David was found faithful with the sheep's, he was entrusted with the kingdom. Paul too testifies, "and I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He COUNTED ME FAITHFUL putting me into the ministry". (I Timothy 1:12).

3. Leadership must take responsibility: "Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same and made them other five talents"(vs. 16). This quality of being responsible is essential for leadership. The vital lesson here is that God causes us to be responsible for what he has given to us. We cannot hide or shrink from our responsibility to God and man.

4. Leaders must be accountable: "After a long time the Lord of those servant cometh and reckoneth with them" (vs19). Without feeling threatened or insecure, it is important that leaders give an account of what they have done and of what they have been committed to. "For they watch for your souls, as they (leaders) that must give account..." (Hebrews13:17). The leaders are required to be faithful steward of both natural and spiritual assets.

Leaders must and will have increasing authority: "Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over few things, I will make thee ruler over many things..."(vs23). As the leader moves on in God's purposes and is obedient to His word and is found faithful in small things being accountable and responsible, there will be an increasing release of spiritual authority and anointing in his life.