Philosophy in Leadership

An Ideal Leader

Many people write and lament over the lack of leadership. Others write, suggesting reasons and possible perpetuators of this lack. One example is V K Saraf who says, “Most people otherwise occupied are busy managing not leading. There is, therefore, an agonising shortage of effective leadership, the sort of leadership that sets an organisation apart.” (Saraf, 2001 pg. 141) Out of the bible we see leadership as God intended it to be. Though the word leadership does not appear in scripture, leadership is implied and evident in many ways throughout the word of God.

Leadership As A Relationship

According to Mark the twelve were called first to be with Jesus then to be sent by Him. (Mark 3:13). Leadership is a calling first to be a Christian with a meaningful personal relationship with God and secondly to lead others out of that experience with God. The relationship with God becomes the source of the leaders’ strength in the practice of servant leadership. This means a leader depends on God to be effective in any endeavour.

Leadership As Reflection

Leadership involves exemplifying the Christian character demonstrated in the handling of people according to the ways of God. Scriptures constantly emphasize the need to walk in wisdom toward those that are outside as well as the need to reflect the nature of God. The Lord Jesus was commended for being mighty in word and in deed (Acts 1:1 Luke 24:19). His words and His works bore witness to the fact that He was the Son Of God.

Leadership As Responsibility

Leadership is responsibility for others that God gives to some. The term responsibility here involves knowing that each leader shall give an account of their leadership to God according to Romans 12: Responsibility should involve communication, conduct, conversation, company and commerce. All these are supported by Psalm 15 which highlights the truth that solid people are those who are responsible in these areas.

Leadership As  Reproduction

The mission of God is eternal leadership in the church has to be an ongoing process, therefore, leadership is about reproducing more leaders. Our Lord Jesus Christ extended his ministry through the twelve apostles. Leadership is Relevance Leadership involves identifying with the people of God and ministering to them where they are. “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” (I Cor 9:22). Leadership involves incarnating in order to be culturally relevant and to provide a platform for social engagement where Christian leaders serve the needs of their communities.

Leadership is Results

Jesus outlined his mission in Luke 4:18-19 when he declared:" The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”. Throughout his ministry, these words become a reality. This means that he had results. The lesson that we learn from this is that leadership is about results.

With the above philosophical framework, BLOC is designed to reach out to leaders with limited access to ongoing training and come alongside and provide opportunities for training and discipleship.