The church serves as a spiritual school where leaders learn to build their spiritual muscles. Both male and female leaders are appointed to train and prepare God’s people. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Consequently, there is no such thing as a self-made spiritual leader. Christ Himself did not begin public ministry until he was endowed with power, Isaiah 61:1-2. “Achieving spiritual objectives requires spiritual methods, which can only be realized through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 12:8, if you are to lead, lead diligently…” The emphasis here is on leading with diligence. If God has appointed you as a leader, then lead conscientiously, with assurance and with confidence. Your obedience will bless those who need your leadership.
Men and women in the Bible are a testament to God’s methods of making spiritual leaders. One of the best examples can be found in Numbers 11:11-26, where Moses became weary of carrying the burden of leading the people, and God assisted him. The Lord instructed Moses to gather seventy elders of Israel who could share in the leadership responsibilities. He promised, “And I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you and place it upon them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not carry it alone.” The evidence of God’s Spirit resting upon them caused these elders to prophesy. “The Spirit that God imparted to the seventy elders empowered them for ministry and to help them address difficult cases and alleviate Moses’ burdens.”[1] Huffstutler emphasizes that “Moses experienced the work of the Spirit in many ways, with miracles being performed through the power of the Spirit.”[2] God’s biblical pattern concerning leadership has not changed. Before a leader embarks on any significant endeavors for the Lord, one must be endowed with power. It is not by human might, nor by human power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. Jesus promised that the Spirit of God would be granted to the apostles, a promise fulfilled after His departure on the day of Pentecost (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8). As a minister, you cannot bear the weight of ministry based on human power or intellect, as is done in the world. The Lord equips leaders with spiritual power and ability for service. You must allow Him to clothe you in His wisdom and the anointing. Jesus’ sacrificial role did more than redeem us from sin. He came with transformative power to turn the world upside down, to restore what was stolen, and bring man back to God’s original intent. Man was made in the image and likeness of God. “Spiritual leaders are not just well-versed in the word, but they also spend time in the presence of God, being anointed by God to accomplish great acts. In 1 Samuel 10, when the anointing oil was poured on David, the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward.” The Spirit of God is still in the earth today.
One of the spiritual gifts Jesus imparts is leadership, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 12:4-5; Romans 12:8. Leaders are not made overnight, but are forged in the furnace of affliction. Blackaby writes that “God is sovereign over a person’s life, for those who will submit their lives to him, their life becomes a school of learning.”[3] One must receive the training and development to become God’s spiritual leaders for today. Blackaby asserts that, of Clinton’s theory on leadership development, God uses relationships and events to mature leaders through formative stages, which is to build a sovereign foundation for inner growth through character and spiritual development.”[4] And for ministry maturing, engaging in leadership and service.[5] God has always had a plan to equip, restore, and make ready spiritual leaders for kingdom building.
Bibliography
Blackbaby, Henry Blackaby and Richard. Moving People on to God’s Agenda Spiritual Leadership. Brentwood, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2011.
Huffstutler, David. Spiritual Leadership: A Biblical Theology of the Role of the Spirit in the Leadership of God’s People. Eugen, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2016.
Morgan, Anna R. Growing Women in Ministry: Seven Aspects of Leadership Development. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2024.
Tozer, A.W. Lead Like Christ: Reflecting the Qualities and Character of Christ in Your Ministry. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 2021.
[1] David Huffstutler, Spiritual Leadership: A Biblical Theology of the Role of the Spirit in the Leadership of God’s People (Eugene, OR: WIPF & Stock, 2016), 15
[2] Ibid.
[3] Henry and Richard Blackaby, Moving People On To God’s Agenda Spiritual Leadership (Brent, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2017), 67-73
[4] Ibid.
[5] Anna Morgan, Growing Women in Ministry: Seven Aspects of Leadership Development (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2024), 170-72.
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