OceanSide church of Christ
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LEADERSHIP BY
EXAMPLE
Victor M.
Eskew
Over the past several weeks, this writer has been shocked and
disappointed by the actions of some who are seeking high level cabinet
appointments in our government. It
has been discovered that at least four have failed to pay Federal income taxes
in various dollar amounts. These
are public servants. Their salaries
are furnished by taxpayer dollars.
Upon seeing this debacle, the taxpayers have been angered. We have to pay our taxes. We DO pay our taxes. Why haven’t our leaders done the
same? Our leaders are failing to
lead by example. They tell the
Enough politics! Leadership
by example should be a high priority within the church of our Lord. It doesn’t matter what leadership
position one holds, he should lead his followers by his example. During His earthly ministry, Jesus was
the leader of a small band of men.
He trained them and mentored them for a period of three and a half
years. Jesus knew what it meant to
lead by example. In John 13, we
read of an event in Jesus’ life wherein leadership by example was evident. “He riseth from supper, and laid aside
his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a
bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with a towel
wherewith he was girded” (John 13:4-5).
When Jesus finished washing the disciples’ feet, He made His point to the
apostles. “So after he had washed
their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto
them, Know ye what I have done to you?
Ye call me Master and Lord:
and ye say well; for so I am.
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to
wash one another’s feet. For I have
given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John
13:12-15). Jesus was willing to do
the tasks of a slave. He was
willing, as their Master, to wash His disciples’ feet. His actions set the example for the
twelve. They were to do as He had done.
Paul understood the importance of leadership by example. On two occasions in his writings, he
exhorted his readers to follow him.
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (I Cor. 11:1). And again: “Those things, which ye have both
learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do…” (Phil. 4:9, emp. mine,
vme). If Paul’s example had been
evil and sub par, he would not have been worthy to follow. Such was not Paul’s manner of life. Paul sought to live as Christ lived
(Phil. 1:21; Gal. 2:20). He
constantly kept under his body and brought it into subjection (I Cor.
9:27). A person could walk in
Paul’s footsteps and find his way to heaven. Paul led by example. He wanted others to follow
him.
The positions of both elder and preacher are leadership positions in the
body of Christ. The inspired
writers exhorted the men in both of these positions to be examples to
others. Paul admonished Timothy, a
gospel preacher, saying: “Let no
man despise thy youth; but be thou an example to the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Tim. 4:12). Peter, who was himself an elder,
commanded other shepherds with these words: “Feed the flock of God which is among
you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage,
but being ensamples to the flock” (I Pet. 5:2-3).
Elders, preachers, teachers,
parents, youth leaders, committee chairmen, and others are leaders within the
body of Christ. Each one of them
needs to be keenly aware of the example he/she is setting before his
followers. Sadly, some fail to
realize that their example is not what it should be. Let’s look at a few illustrations of a
failure to “lead by example.”
1.
This writer has seen those in positions of leadership who fail to take
their “church attendance” seriously.
They miss Bible study on a regular basis. They fall into the habit of missing
Sunday nights and Wednesday evenings.
If Bible study and worship are not of concern to church leaders, why
should they be important to their followers? How can leaders who skip worship and
Bible study actually expect their followers to be faithful in attendance? This is especially true of parents. Parents who are not committed to
faithful attendance will eventually have difficulties with their children in
this area as well.
2.
Another area in which leaders must take the lead has to do with the
control of emotions, especially anger.
One of the qualifications of an elder is “not soon angry” (Tit.
1:7). It is a sad day when men in
leadership positions fail to control their tongues, shout and scream at others,
storm out of rooms, make threats, and even come to blows with their brothers in
Christ. If a leader cannot remain
calm and cool, how can he expect his followers to do the same? NOTE: This control of emotions needs to be
practiced at the church building and in all other places as well, work and ball
field included.
3.
Leaders must also take the lead in the area of morality. God’s children have been called to be
holy. The bar has been set very
high. We are to be like the God of
heaven (I Pet. 1:15-16). Leaders
must set the standard for their followers.
They must show that it is possible to live above the world and all of its
lusts. If they lapse into moral
debauchery, it is impossible for them to confront their followers who commit
immorality. Adultery, fornication,
drunkenness, lying, and cheating should not be a part of a leader’s manner of
life.
4.
Another poor example is set when a leader will not do what he asks of his
followers. Gospel meetings,
training seminars, door-knocking, work days, fellowship meals, and other
activities are often part of the work of the church. The membership is called upon to assist
in these efforts. Leaders set the
wrong example when they fail to show up at these gatherings. Their followers wonder if the leader(s)
think he is above the mundane (Matt. 23:1-4). They wonder if the leader believes that
his time is more valuable than that of the members.
Leading by example is a
vital part of the leader’s role. He
should set a high standard
for his followers. If he does, many will rise to meet the
standard. If he fails to lead by
example, his followers will be sub par in their behavior. Too, the credibility of the leader will
be less than desired among the followers.
The leader will find that he is not respected and that no one is willing
to follow him. Leaders show by
their example that they are people of integrity. They show that their faith and
commitment are more than words.
They truly live the life they are asking others to
live.