In describing the characteristics of competent leadership we would most likely use the words visionary, decisive, and self-confident. Such a person has in mind a definite goal; has foreseen all possible contingencies that may arise; has formulated the best possible course of action to accomplish the most progress toward the goal while utilizing the least amount of resources along the way. That plan is then laid out with an assurance that inspires others to follow.
This is certainly the type of leadership esteemed by the world, and judging by much of the Christian writing on the subject it seems that it is also highly esteemed in the (American evangelical) Church. It is not unheard of to find Christian leaders, usually celebrity pastors of urban mega churches, invited to speak at secular conferences on leadership. Or conversely, a church may hire a secular leadership consultant to provide insight as it works through an organizational issue. Apparently leadership is the same whether in the corporate boardroom or the Church.
Leadership is indeed an important part of the Church. The Bible speaks of God's people as sheep being led by a shepherd - God Himself. Paul mentions a gift of leadership, "...if it is leadership, let him govern diligently," Rom.12:8. Peter speaks of pastors working for the Chief Shepherd (1Pet.5:2-4). In fact a church may suffer from a lack of leadership just as it may suffer from a lack of any other spiritual gift.
But is it a given that leadership in the Church - spiritual leadership - is indistinguishable from that found in the world? To this we must say, "No!" In fact the differences are fundamental, such that if they are not understood there is in fact no spiritual leadership being provided no matter how well the organizational machine appears to be humming.
The first essential difference is that the spiritual leader is being led by the Spirit of God. A pastor/leader does not so much see the way as he is shown the way. The vision which guides the organization (the Church) does not originate with the man but comes from the Lord. The pastor/leader is a mouthpiece for the Lord who says to the Church "This is the way, walk in it," Isaiah 30:21.
Second, because the direction taken by the Church comes from the Lord and not human leaders it is for reasons and to accomplish purposes that are good in God's sight not necessarily man's. The Scripture tells us that God's ways, His purposes and goals are often beyond our comprehension (Isaiah 55:8-9). Furthermore, God often reveals his plan one step at a time rather than at once so that His people must humbly rely on Him to guide them.
Given these facts it should not surprise us if the pastor/leader does not at times understand what God is doing; does not comprehend what the next step should be or in what direction the church or organization should move. In other words, a spirit led leader who, because he is sensitive to the mind of God and obedient to the will of God, may at times appear perplexed and confused; and may even direct the church in ways and along paths that seem counter to common sense.
A clear old testament example of this is in Exodus 14 where Moses has finally withstood Pharaoh, the first born of Egypt are dead, the land is in ruins and the Israelites are marching forth victoriously from their captivity. Then Moses hears God say, "Tell the Israelites to turn back..." We can imagine Moses saying, "Tell them to do what?"
In fact it seems God anticipated such a perplexed response for He goes on to explain, "Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.' And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD."
Two things are of interest here. One is that God's ultimate goal is the manifestation of His glory - that the watching world (here the Egyptians) will know that He is the LORD. So the direction in which God leads the Church is not primarily for their comfort or enjoyment but that the world may know Him. This also means that God's primary concern is not for flawless efficiency and unimpeded forward movement of the organization which bears His name. ("What are we doing turning back? I thought we were going to Canaan!")
The second thing we should note is how this reality reflects on the organization and its leadership. In this instance the immediate effect of this backtracking maneuver is that Pharaoh thinks the Israelites are in confusion. In other words, God is purposely making the Israelites look stupid in order to draw Pharaoh out after them! And Moses, because he hears God's voice, and is sensitive to the Spirit's leading, because he understands God's ways, and is obedient - for these very reasons he ends up looking confused. While the watching world would judge him incompetent, the testimony of scripture is that he is a godly leader.
What do we say to all this? At least this - the Church exists for purposes that transcend this present world. Therefore its functioning in this world will not always be understood by the world. In fact, the Church's leaders may - and, if they are spiritual, will in fact - at times be thought confused, even incompetent by the world's standards. Woe to that Christian leader or church always lauded by the world for the efficiency of its organization - toward which the world never casts a questioning glance. Could it be that they are in fact leading the Church astray? Woe to that Christian leader who never knows or refuses to submit to the humiliation of obeying God's word when to do so seems counter to common sense. What about your church? Do your pastors ever seem confused?
