LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES DEMONSTRATED AND DEFINED IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST AS SEEN IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

(Community : Antigua Community )
Pastor Ken Bell, Leadership, Gospel of Luke, KENNETH R. BELL

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES DEMONSTRATED AND DEFINED IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST AS SEEN IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 

A PAPER PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE CALIFORNIA GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

BY KENNETH R. BELL MARCH 14, 1983

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES DEMONSTRATED AND DEFINED IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST AS SEEN IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

     The portrait of Christ in Luke is greatly applicable to a man desiring to increase his leadership prowess. for the beloved physician has painted with his literary brush by the genius of the Holy Spirit a detailed picture of Christ as the perfect man.
     Jesus possessed the social qualifications necessary for a leader. As a child He increased in favor with man. (2.52). He was hospitable to the point of even dining with His enemies, (11:37, 7:36). Jesus was so often in the company of the outcasts of society that He was called a "friend of publicans and sinners," (7:34, 15:2). The disciples were instructed by the Lord to remain in the home which accepted them and not to climb up the social ladder. (9:4, 10:8).
      Certain mental aspects of leadership were exemplified by Christ. He grew in wisdom, (2:40.52). At the age of twelve His mental abilities were sharpened
as He heard and answered the Jewish doctors. (2:43). His parable of the unjust steward (16, 1-13) calls for shrewd¬ness and quickness of decision. A leader's need for decisiveness was seen in His choice of the twelve (6:13) and in His teaching against excuse making and wavering (9:62, 14:18-20).
     Emotional characteristics required of a leader were also present in Jesus. He was not afraid to show compassion (7:13, 13:34). Jesus told James and John that a certain outburst of anger against the Samaritans was wrong (9:54,55), but with righteous indignation He drove out the desecrators of the temple (9:45,46). Our Lord I taught that humility was an indispensable virtue, in
the life of a leader (14:11, 18:9-14, 22:25-27). No leader can be effective without courage. Jesus was not afraid to confront the Pharisees (11:39-52) or stand before His executors (22). He exhorted His disciples to fear no man (12:4-7).
     Jesus could inspire people to follow Him because He had vision. He knew of His death and resurrection (9:22) and set out to accomplish it (9:51, 12:50). Con¬centration on the proper goal was the one thing needful for Martha (10:41, 42). His gracious and powerful words called people to move (4:22,32,36) and displayed His inspirational power.
     Jesus was a pattern of discipline in His early life when He subjected Himself to His parents (2:51). Christ urged believers to correct their own lives first before they sought to correct their brother (6:41,42). His disciples must discipline themselves daily to follow Him (9:23).

     Probably the most important requirement of leadership is to be filled with the Spirit. The Spirit came upon Jesus to anoint Him for the ministry at His baptism (3:22). He was filled with and lead by the Spirit to the temptation (4:1).

     A leader will be no more successful than his prayer life. Jesus was constantly in prayer. He prayed at His baptism (3:21), in solitude (5:16, 9:18), before an important decision (6:12), for Peter (22:32), and in the garden (22:44). He taught the disciples the method and requirements of effective prayer (11:1-13, 18:1-8).
      The costs of effective leadership are very high. Jesus expected self-sacrifice from His followers (9:23,24; 4:26,27). He sacrificed Himself by the sufferings of the Passion Week (22-23). The King of the universe had no place to lay His head (9:58). He faced continual criticism from His opponents (5:21,33; 6:2). He was misunder¬stood by His friends (7:18-23). His home town rejected Him (4:28,29), The religious leaders scorned Him (9:22). His own disciple betrayed Him (22:47,48). His followers should rejoice that they can be persecuted for Christ's sake (6 :22)
      Vital responsibilities for a leader were taught by Jesus both in practice and precept. Leadership is stewardship, and a leader is accountable to His Master (19:12-27). A leader should foremost be a servant (17:5-10, 22:25-27). One of the leader's most difficult tasks is to rebuke and discipline his followers, but the example of Jesus must be copied (9:55, 22:34, 24:25). A leader must provide guidance (5:5) and when necessary initiate new programs (24:48,49). The art of delegation should be learned (6:13-16, 9:1).

    Extreme caution, prudence, and courage must be exercised to avoid the perils of leadership, Jesus refused to compromise and turn the stones into bread in the face of Satan's temptation (4:3,4), Our Lord would not let misdirected ambition divert Him from the cross (4:5-8). Jesus avoided the danger of a bloated ego by performing a sensational miracle (4:9-12). Jesus warned the disciples of jealousy over someone doing the Lord's work who was not in your own group (9:49,50). The Lord Jesus did not let His growing popularity ruin His ministry (4:14,37; 5:15; 6:26).
      There were many qualities of leadership described in J. Oswald Sander's book which were helpful in discovering leadership principles in the life of Christ.