LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Leadership Development Plan
Submitted to Dr. Daniel Austin
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
LEAD 510-D09
Biblical Foundations of Leadership
by
Elisha Jennings
May 1, 2022
Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………1
Theology of Leadership……….………..………………...……………………………...2
Philosophy of Leadership….……………………………………………………………..4
Methods and Models of Leadership….…………………………………………………..7
Leadership Culture……………………………………………….………………………8
Leadership Development Plan..…………………………………………………..………9
Conclusion…………………………………………………………….…………….……10
Bibliography………………………………………………………………….….……….11
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Introduction
Follow the Leader is a children’s game in which one child is deemed “the leader” and all
the other children follow and imitate him or her. Children are called “out” of the game when they
fail to follow or imitate the leader. When only the leader and one other child are left, that child
becomes the new leader. The game has benefits beyond fun. It helps children learn through
observation and encourages them to see their parents as leaders and imitate them.
Christian leadership is similar, but not that simple. In the children’s game, children jump
at the chance to both be the leader and be a participant in hopes of becoming the new leader. It is
always fun! Those who are called out just excitedly wait for the new game to begin so they can
take another shot at being the leader. The children’s game leader does not have to be skilled, and
the children must follow in order to play. In adult Christian life, leadership is filled with
responsibility and can be stressful at times. Followers can be very critical of the leader’s
movements and interactions. In fact, there are many who refuse to follow the leader for various
reasons. The leader is always being watched, scrutinized, or judged, even when they are well-
liked and appreciated. It looks bad on the adult leader if followers get “out”. In fact, the goal of
Christian leadership is to keep everyone “in the game” while constantly getting more to join in.
Christian leadership is hard work, as leaders cannot be idle and keep followers in the game. Paul
points this out in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9:
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we
were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked
night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this,
not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for
you to imitate.”
In the children’s game, the first leader is simply picked by peers or teachers and
subsequent leaders assume leadership by winning the games. Christian leaders are developed.
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In order for the body of Christ to succeed in meeting its goal of multiplying disciples of Christ,
there must be strong, healthy leadership. Churches and ministries must strategically develop
leaders that will serve, influence and build God’s kingdom.
Theology of Leadership
Philippians 2:3-4 says to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in
humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the
interests of others.” This is foundational to Christian leadership and crucial to developing good
leaders. Malphurs proclaims that “A Christian leader is a servant.” and suggests that servanthood
is the core of a “leader’s heart”.1 Jesus is probably the most pointed to example of servant
leadership, and He should be. After all, He demonstrated the most selfless act known to the
current world. Malphurs points to Matt. 20:25-28, Mark 10:41-45, and John 13:1-17 as
prominent theological references of Jesus’ servanthood, and mentions that “Servant leaders
display at least four characteristics: humility, service, focus on others and love.”2 Each one of
these characteristics can be taught to and developed in others using the life of Christ as the study
guide. Having a strong theological foundation is paramount to a good leadership development
plan.
Jesus’ motivation to serve was love. This is clearly documented in John 13:1-17 when
Jesus washed his disciple’s feet. He made it clear that a leader is not greater than his followers
and set an example of true servanthood. Jesus’ point that a leader is a servant is also mentioned
in Mark 10:35-45 when Jesus explains to his disciples James and John that whoever seeks to be
1 Aubrey Malphurs. Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. Grand Rapids, Mich:
Baker Books, 2003, 31.
2 Ibid, 34.
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great must first be a slave, and that even He Himself “did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
A good leadership development plan must build other attributes of leadership on top of
the foundation of servanthood. Credibility, capability and influence are also critical to effective
Christian leadership. People only follow those they trust. Christians follow Christ because they
trust that God’s Word is true. It is almost easier to trust someone you can’t see than it is to trust
someone you can. When you can see, you can see it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. Leaders
are always on display. It is important that followers see leaders as credible and trustworthy, as
they will be tested: Revelation 2:2 says “I know your works, your toil and your patient
endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call
themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.” Malphurs mentions that “Relying
on or placing our confidence in human leaders is based on sight-we watch what leaders do
24/7/365”3
No one wants to follow someone who doesn’t seem to know what they are doing or
where they are going. Christian leaders must be capable. Malphurs poses the question: “Are
leaders born or made?”4 Some leaders have natural gifts and abilities, while others have to work
at their craft. Just as some athletes are naturally great at what they do, and others must spend
inordinate amounts of time perfecting their skills. Those who are born with skills and those who
work to get them are equally important to winning the game. The bottom line is that capability is
important. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro made this point in Exodus 18:21: “But select capable
menGfrom all the people—men who fearGGod, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and
appoint them as officialsGover thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” A good leadership
3 Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership, 51.
4 Ibid, 74
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development plan will be able to develop leaders from those who have natural gifts as well as
those who have to develop them. While some gifts can be developed, some are gifts from God
and cannot be developed in those who do not have them. Those who have them, however, still
need to have the support and help from a good leadership plan to help them develop those gifts.
Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us that “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,
the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may
be built up.”
People follow. People imitate whom or what they follow. Influence is the golden carrot.
People wear certain clothes, eat certain foods, perform certain rituals, and go to certain places
because other people they are influenced by do the same things. Influence moves people to be,
go and do. Mark 9:38 shows that even Jesus and his disciples had imitators, evidence of their
influence: “Teacher”, said John, ‘we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told
him to stop, because he was not one of us.” This influence was also present in Paul’s day in Acts
9:13: “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spiritsGtried to invoke the name of the Lord
Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the JesusGwhom
Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” The point of being an influential Christian leader is
to lead people to follow and imitate.
Philosophy of Leadership
What makes leadership Christian? Leadership is Christian when the leader is a follower
of Christ and his or leadership is based on Biblical principle. Christian leaders are Christian
leaders regardless of the environment they lead in. Malphurs supports this by concluding that
“Christian leaders are Christian leaders outside of as well as inside the Christian community. Our
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mandate is to lead Christianly regardless of the context.”5 There are followers and potential
followers in both environments. The Christian leader must lead in a way that keeps followers
following and bystanders interested in following.
A Christian leader must be a great follower first. It is important that the Christian leader
be led by Christ and not his or her own ambitions. In order to do this, one needs to be engrossed
in and understanding of the Word of God. Leadership can only be based on Biblical principle if
the Bible is being studied. There are many examples of leadership, both good and bad in the
Bible which help Christian leaders learn what to do and what not to do as a leader.
One of the first examples of leadership in the Bible comes from Genesis, with the story of
Abraham. Abraham could be described as an influential trailblazer. He was also a great follower.
In Genesis 12:1, God told Abram to “Go from your country, your people and your father’s
household to the land I will show you.” Abram was not young or alone, but he did as God told
him. Genesis 12:4 shows that Abram, at 75 years old, had to pack up his wife, his nephew, all of
the possessions and people who were with them, and motivate them to move (on foot) the long
distance from the land they were familiar with to one they had never seen. Only a trusted,
influential leader could get a group of people to do that. The feat also highlights Abram’s
wholehearted trust in God as his own leader. Abraham is a Biblical example of what Christian
leaders can accomplish when they allow themselves to be led by God, in both deed and
character.
Leaders in a position of authority have the power to make decisions that greatly affect
others. Sometimes conflict can present itself causing emotions of anger and the desire for
revenge. Biblical principle is extremely important in these instances. The Christian leader must
5 Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership, 13.
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be able to overcome human nature and demonstrate Godly leadership regardless of their feelings.
Forrest and Roden mention that leaders must have “nonnegotiable moral strength” and point to
Joseph as an example of this Biblical principle.6 Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph being
terribly wronged by his brothers, thrown into a pit and sold into slavery. Genesis 42-45 reveals
that Joseph not only survived his brother’s malicious act against him, but he becomes a leader in
the land they must turn to for food during a famine. Joseph could have used his power to enact
revenge on his brothers. Instead, he showed them forgiveness and love. The leadership of Joseph
is a great example of Godly leadership.
One more example of Biblical principle in leadership is that of Peter. Peter is perhaps the
most well-known disciple of Jesus. Even so, he denied Jesus three times as He was being
crucified in Matthew 26: 69-74. Peter cried about his betrayal of Jesus. Then, he pulled himself
together and preached the first sermon after Jesus ascended to heaven in Acts 2:14-40. Acts 2:42
tells that “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added
to their number that day.” Leaders recover from failure. They gather themselves and get the job
done. Peter led three thousand people to Christ after he denied Him three times. Christian leaders
are not perfect and they make mistakes, but they own their mistakes and move forward to
meeting the goal. Peter is a perfect example of this principle.
Methods and Models of Leadership
There are many individual and organizational styles of leadership. Some are orthodox,
some are out of the box, and others are undefined. What is most important is that they are
effective in serving, influencing and building God’s kingdom. Effectiveness requires that
6 Benjamin Forrest and Chet Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Academic, 2017, 44.
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leadership style has some level of alignment with followers. Malphurs poses this question for
churches and leaders to answer: “Does the church’s style of leadership align with that of the
leader?7 The process of a church choosing a leader and vice versa is not a fast one. Sometimes
the process can go on for years. How does this impact the health of the church, and does it cause
a major stall for leadership development within the church? If so, then it would be wise for the
leadership development strategy to include a contingency plan for interruptions in normal church
flow and function. Churches and leaders must know themselves. This is important for decision-
making. Malphurs suggests that leaders know their “leadership identity”, and identify these
components: 1) doctrinal beliefs, 2) core ministry values, 3) leadership style, 4) leadership
capabilities, 5) leadership capabilities, 6) theology and philosophy of ministry, and 7) ideal
ministry circumstances.8 The leader/church relationship will have a better chance of running
smoothly if these things are in alignment. It would be difficult to lead people who don’t believe
what you believe.
Malphurs identifies four primary styles of leadership, with one determined to be one’s
dominant leadership style: 1) Director, 2) Inspirational, 3) Diplomat, and 4) analytical.9
Understanding one’s individual leadership style can help leaders make better decisions about
leadership roles they are considering.
The church must also decide on its preferred leadership style. It is important to make sure
that preferences are based on Biblical principles and not popularity. Some churches have been
sliced completely in half because of leadership decisions. This does nothing for the body of
7 Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership, 147.
8 Ibid, 132.
9 Ibid.
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Christ and harms the mission. The absence of a solid leadership development plan that fits the
church’s identity leads to unplanned and sometimes long gaps on leadership.
Leadership Culture
Very often, children interact with others the same way that they observe people in their
household interact with others. The culture of the home dictates many of the strengths,
weaknesses, and social skills children display outside of the home. The church is no different.
The culture of the church dictates how members interact with each other and visitors to the
church. Influence is one thing, but when people decided they want to follow, they want to know
where they are going. A directional leader can “keep the church moving in the right direction-its
God-given direction-the Great Commission.”10 A sense of direction affects culture, and culture
affects everything.
Efforts to create a leadership culture should not be overdone in terms of focusing on the
“leader”. Focus should primarily be on “servant”. Focus on servanthood will create a culture of
leadership that creates more leaders.
Leadership Development Plan
I plan to use a simple and organic approach to developing people and leaders who fulfill
and serve the organizational mission where God has planted me. Utilizing 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
as a Biblically based core value, the ministry I serve will have the mission of radically and
positively transforming individuals and communities with the love of Christ. I have determined
that a mature Christian lives to serve, seeks opportunities to grow and help others grow, and is
10 Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership, 157.
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known by their fruit. Example is the most powerful component of leadership and that is how
leaders will lead and develop other leaders-by example. “Go and be”, rather than “come and see”
is how I plan to develop leaders and multiply disciples.11
My ministry will follow Earley and Dempsey’s structure for organic churches.12 Focus
will be on developing disciples first, and leaders will be a byproduct of great discipleship
development. Disciples will be developed through the formation of small groups in the
community, where learning and mentoring will take place.
I believe in keeping it simple. When focus is on the mission and all efforts are poured
into it, the result will speak for itself. From an organizational standpoint, there is a master
standard operational procedure that can and will be the first line of consultation when there are
questions, concerns or conflicts. It is called the Bible.
Conclusion
Following the Christian leader is not hard when he or she has the right attributes.
Those attributes come from having a solid Biblical foundation. Having a solid Biblical
foundation comes from committing to Christ by believing, following and acting. The divine
purpose of Christian leadership is to lead others to Christ. This purpose is fulfilled by leaders
who are clear about the mission and how to accomplish it, undaunted by obstacles and
distractions, and determined to complete the mission. Luke 4:42-44 says “At daybreak, Jesus
went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he
11 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making is: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2013, 27.
12 Ibid.
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was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.GBut he said,G“I must proclaim the good news of
the kingdom of GodGto the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”GAnd he kept on
preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”
The leadership development plan can help churches focus on multiplication instead of
addition. The Christian leader has the responsibility of making sure the current followers don’t
get “out” and that there is a steady stream of new followers coming into the fold. While the
leader may be out in front and have followers, the Christian leader is actually a follower. Christ
is the leader of Christian leaders. Christian leaders follow Christ by imitating Him, with the goal
of leading others to Him. Philippians 3:17 shows Paul telling the Philippians: “Join together in
following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes
on those who live as we do.” Christian leadership is about serving, influencing, and building
God’s kingdom. Churches and ministries must strategically develop leaders that will serve,
influence and build God’s kingdom.
Bibliography
Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making is: How to Live the Great Commission with
Passion and Confidence. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2013.
Forrest, Benjamin, and Chet Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Academic, 2017.
Malphurs, Aubrey. Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. Grand Rapids,
Mich: Baker Books, 2003.
