Leadership carries responsibility. At work there are targets, profits and a board of directors to answer to! It’s no less a responsibility for Christian leadership. Instead of targets and profits, it’s people and their spiritual health, but instead of directors, you are answerable to God!

Jesus is ‘the Good Shepherd’ (John 10:11) and He warns against “the hired hands” who also look after the flock (v.12-14). This chapter can serve as a warning to the sheep about who they follow but also as a word of caution for those who would be called to lead with Jesus as their example.

Before considering any kind of leadership, read John 10 and ask yourselves these questions:

Called or Career?

Taking the lead should never be about oneself. The hired men did it for something, but the Good Shepherd did it for someone! If your position of leadership is more about status rather than living for the benefit of others, when the need for sacrifice comes, you’ll find your motives lacking and just run!

To Serve or be Served?

To lead is to serve. However, service or doing something for others is easy when all is going smoothly when everyone is full of praise for you. But what happens when your service is inconvenient? When your decisions are not popular, or heaven forbid, you make a mistake, what then? When popularity wanes and people turn away, will you still have the heart to serve them? Your motive to serve must be based on your desire to please God and not the desire to be approved of by others. Just remember, Jesus’ act of ultimate service didn’t please everyone, and yet, everyone profited from it. It is a tough one!

Ability or Availability?

Your ability is nothing without your availability! When thinking of taking the lead it’s good to remember that the first step is being available, then check your motives and let your natural abilities be supernaturally refined. Don’t let inabilities hold you back either, they can always be learnt and we have the greatest Teacher of all.