8 Attributes of a Spiritual Leader (Part 1)
Leadership is both a calling and a school. There are attributes which qualify for leadership and attributes which help to grow and be effective in leadership.
There is a place God has designed for spiritual leaders but you need these unmistakable attributes to be successful in your leadership.
VinothChandar / Foter / CC BY
Necessary attributes for spiritual leadership
1. Sincerity: A leader must be honest, open and candid about self and others. Sincerity builds trust. Even when the case is not pleasant, openness is a revelation of strong character. (II Corinthians 1:12; 2:17)
A leader who hides or covers up will eventually lose his credibility.
2. Service: The model of leadership Jesus wants is that of genuine service. To emulate this quality, look at how you can turn your daily duty to a service-oriented one.
In other words, you need to ask how the recipient of your service can be edified with what you do and how you do it. (Mark 10:45)
3. Selflessness: The truly spiritual leader seeks the fulfillment of others. He will not delegate boring or insignificant duty while carrying out the attractive and ‘prestigious’ one himself.
Rather, he supports and builds others so they can improve, serve and truly enjoy what they do for the Lord. (I Corinthians 10:33)
4. Sacrifice: To be a leader, you need to set the model of giving your all. There is no way to lead effectively without giving everything in you to it. (II Timothy 2:3,4)
When those you lead see sacrifice in your leadership, it breeds the same in them too. Sacrifice is contagious. Share this!
Leadership is dynamic – ready to be stretched?
Leadership is not static but dynamic. There is no stage of leadership in which you are that does not call for earnest and continuous development. To stretch others, you must be stretched; to develop others, you must develop.
The challenges of today demand something more than the experience of yesterday. And if you will be relevant for the tasks of tomorrow, you must invest in qualities that will prepare you for them.
Question: What other essential attributes of spiritual leadership would you add to the list?
About Pastor Ojo
Anthony Ojo is the Northern European Overseer of Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM). A trained technology consultant, he’s a leadership & career coach and seasoned counselor. He runs Deofocus, a coaching and counseling consultancy firm in the Netherlands. Pastor Ojo is married with children.
He’s passionate about helping others discover their true values and live true to them. You can connect with him on Facebook for more leadership and spiritual inspirations.
About Joseph Iregbu
From a homeless, near-school-dropout to living a story worth telling. Purpose is my passion. What's your story?
Great list.
I think people want to know that someone is genuine. That they mean what they say. They want to see actions matching the words. Integrity in small things as well as big.
It’s easy to say the right thing but it’s not always easy to do it. Leaders have to be willing to do the tough jobs. To face opposition and to love even when it doesn’t feel good.
You’re spot on, @TCAvey:disqus. Integrity is integral to spiritual leadership. Hope you’re doing awesome today. God bless you and keep doing the great work you’re doing.
Thanks, and you too!