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Themes of the New Testiment
Biblical Foundation of Christian Leadership (Liberty
University)
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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
MASTERS OF DIVINITY IN CHAPLAINCY
New Testament Biblical Leadership Theme Report
Submitted to Dr. William England
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for
The completion of the course
LEAD-510-B05
Biblical Foundations of Leadership
By
Jacquelyn Huebner
October 3, 2021
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Contents
Introduction
Leadership Theme: Servant
Leadership Theme: Relational
Leadership Theme: Empowerment
Conclusion
Bibliography
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Introduction
The New Testament is full of men who either grew into amazing leaders or it came
naturally, even though the term leader is not found in the readings1. Even though there is nothing
in the New Testament that specifies the term “leadership”, that does not meant that leadership is
not taught. Jesus is a prime example of how to be the perfect leader, and this is taught through
the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Of course, most of the rest of the books in the
New Testament discuss different aspects of Jesus’ life, but none of the go into detail on his
works like the four gospels. To be a Christian leader, one must be a follow of Christ and accept
Him as your Lord and Savior, submitting your life to Him2. This means that, when one becomes
a Christian leader, their actions are not going to be for themselves anymore, but for God and for
His people as well. When one wants to find out how to be a good leader and turns to the bible for
this, Forrest and Roden have explained that it is not quite as simple as searching for the word
“leader”3. Every one of us that has been called to a live of servitude to Christ, there is also a
calling for leadership, for this can be seen and read for as far as the Bible goes, to the creation of
time. God has given humanity the responsibility of taking charge over the planet and His
creations4. Anyone who reads the New Testament will see that Jesus and His disciples were
exactly what God intended when it comes to leaders, as they were also prime examples. Leading
is more about directing than it is about controlling5. When Jesus looked at his disciples and told
them that if they follow him, he will make them fishers of men, he meant that in order to be a
1 BenjaminK. Forrest and Chet Roden, Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader (Grand Rapids, MI:
Kregel Publications, 2017), 289
2 Aubrey Malphurs, Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book
House Co., 2003), 15
3 Forrest and Roden, 25
4 Ibid., 33
5 Ibid., 303
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leader, one must lead of course, but one must also serve their people as well. It is not just about
fishing and keeping the fish for themselves, it was about ensuring that everyone around them
would have all the fish they needed to survive, and then teaching others to fish as well6. The
disciples were called to follow Jesus, and with this, they gained much experience7.
Jesus not only taught leadership, but he also taught humility, relationships, and love. The
best way to teach this, was to show this as well. The greatest gift of love that He could have
given was His death on the cross, sacrificing himself in order to save us all. He encouraged His
disciples to go and spread the news, doing exactly what He did to help lead others to the Word.
This is because leadership is not about what you do as much as it is about who you are8. This
paper will explain three different themes in the New Testament that has influenced and
encouraged our ability to be Christian leaders through servitude, living out self-sacrifice and
empowering or encouraging others to serve Christ as well.
Leadership Theme: Servitude
Jesus showed us the ultimate sacrifice by giving His life for us, so that we may live. In
doing this, he has shown us the principles in which follow as a Christian leader. Though, this
may be the ultimate sacrifice, this was certainly not the only thing that Jesus has done to show
how to be a servant. In the book of John, one of the most renowned retelling stories of Jesus, is
when he washed his disciples’ feet. He filled a bowl of water, taking his robe off and wrapped a
towel around his waist, washing the feet of the disciples, using the towel around his waist to dry
them off9. At this time in history, washing feet was something that was done for royals, not the
6 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New American Standard Bible (Chattanooga,
TN: AMG Publishers, 2008).
7 Forrest and Roden, 305.
8 Maxwell, 2013, 45.
9 Forrest and Roden, 2017, 332.
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common people. Yet, Jesus, who was the King of Kings, kneeled down, and washed the feet of
those he loved. This was a pure example of how Jesus came, not to be served, but to serve, as he
had told many of his followers and disciples. The twelve disciples that were assigned by Jesus
Himself, were to be taught by Him on how to lead as a servant themselves. What better way to
do this, than to show them through this example?
A Christian leader is one who will teach and lead by example. There is an author, C.W.
Perry who explains that leadership is accepting people as they are and where they are, and then
taking them somewhere to become greater10. As stated before, this is exactly what Jesus did.
When the disciples came to Him, they were nothing, seen as nothing more than the dirt that was
walked on, and Jesus made them become the first leaders of the Christian church. Jesus said to
the disciples in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And
you will be my witnesses, telling peple about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in
Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.” This was like a command, though more of a prophesy,
sending the disciples out and teaching others as Jesus did Himself. Because Jesus was a prime
example of a servant leader, the disciples became the fathers of the faith, writing his word down
onto paper and eventually getting the word out to every part of the world, so that every nation
will hear the gospel. This is from God, that He will give the entire world a chance to hear before
Jesus’ return.
Leadership Theme: Relational
To be a relational leader, one must create close friendships with those they are discipling.
This is important in the New Testament, as we have seen Jesus, Timothy, Peter, Paul and many
others use this help create a vision and encourage others to become leaders through example.
10 Maxwell, 2013, 16.
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This is extremely important, for this will help to ensure that the word is spread to the world.
When someone, who has never attended church in their life before, decides to take the chance to
attend one later in life, it is crucial that a relationship is bonded between them and at least one
other person of that church. For if this does not happen, they may feel left out, they may feel as
though no one cares about them. But if a relationship is created, the one bonding with them will
understand what has stopped them from entering a church before this time. They will understand
their hardships, their struggles. Then this person will also understand the struggles of the one
who is discipling them, because relationships are not one sided. They will understand that
Christians also struggle with temptations, challenges in life, and they struggle with just about
anything else a non-Christian struggles with. The only difference, is Christians give their
baggage to God, asking for rest and comfort. When Jesus walked the Earth, he did not just lead
his disciples, but he became very good friends with them. Even when they betrayed him, even
when they denied Him. Jesus stood by their side, knowing these things would happen. Judas was
one of the few who could not bear his own betrayal toward Jesus, and sadly decided to end his
own life because of it. Jesus never stopped loving Judas, and Judas may have known this, which
may have caused the guilt to strengthen, or if he did not know this, it may have saved his life.
We as Christian leaders will experience betrayal numerous times, this is something that cannot
be avoided, because we are all human. Jesus taught us to forgive those who betray us, no matter
how bad it may seem. Judas sold Jesus off, and this was the start of the arrest which led to Jesus’
death on the cross.
Forrest and Roden shared, “Paul taught the bible in relationship with those who were on
the receiving end of his instruction. He apparently viewed as inseparable the cognitive and the
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relational aspects of Christian leadership.”11 This goes to show that Paul himself would ensure
that where ever he went, he would build relationships with those he spoke to. He is not the only
one, as Timothy would do the same thing, so would Mark and many others who followed Jesus,
who were not even assigned as disciples. Just seeing the example of Jesus was enough for those
who were not even commanded to go and spread the word, to do just that.
Leadership Theme: Empowerment
Empowerment is a word that when looked at, it can be intimidating to many people. I
know for me, this term alone intimidates me, as I feel as though I will never be empowering. To
look at this differently, would be to look at it as encouraging, instead of empowering, for the two
can go hand in hand. As a counselor of a drug and alcohol rehab facility, I do what I can to
encourage my clients to stop using substances. In doing this, I show them love, kindness,
patience and yet I am still very honest with them. Jesus was much the same way, if not more so.
Jesus was, I am sure, far better with his words than I ever will be, but I use Jesus as an example
in my counseling. This is because Jesus has empowered me to be like him. It is by his works, his
words, his humility, his patience, his forgiveness. Most of these are things that I struggle with, as
do many Christians. To be a Christian leader, not only do we need to teach, but we need to
empower as well. Or, as I like to call it, encourage. This is done by going on missions to help
people in need, volunteering to do the things that most people would never. Such as,
volunteering at a planned parenthood facility, walking these women to the doors in order to
protect them, but also by showing them that Jesus loves and forgives them and he also died for
them, no matter what their choices are, just as Jesus protected the adulterer. This is by going to a
homeless shelter, providing the citizens with haircuts, a warm bath with soap, a fresh set of clean
11 Forrest and Roden, 2017, 435.
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clothes, just like Jesus washed feet. And this is also by protecting the Church itself from outside
temptations, such as money, greed, judgement, hatefulness and discrimination, as Jesus flipped
the tables in the temple. Romans 5:8 states, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Empowerment to me is showing the rest of the world that Jesus died for everyone, even
while we were yet sinners, that there is nothing on this earth that can separate us from the love of
God. It is imperative that Christian leaders use this to empower others, as there is no empowering
anyone on this Earth without love. 1 Corinthians 13, the entire chapter of this book, defines
exactly what love is, as we can do everything in the world, but if we do not love, we are nothing.
“Three things will last forever, faith, hope and love-and the greatest of these is love.”
Conclusion
Since Christianity has spread around the world, it has either separated kingdoms, or it has
brought them together. In many countries it is illegal to worship God, let alone be seen reading
the bible. In these countries, they are punished, these punishments ranging from losing their
tongue, to losing their lives. We as Christians in the United States have taken our freedom for
granted, and many of us have forgotten Gods word on love, mercy, forgiveness, and especially,
grace. Not all Christians have, but there are many churches where those who attend Sunday
services, do so out of habit. It is most important that Christian leaders remind followers of the
grace that has been given to them, for none of us deserve everlasting life, yet Jesus gives it to us
anyways, just as long as we accept Him into our hearts. We, as Christian leaders, have a
responsibility to go after the one, to go after the lost, the hurting, the broken. We have a
responsibility to show them love and kindness, forgiveness and grace. No matter how much
counseling I can give to some of my clients, there will always be some who will relapse, while
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they are still in treatment. There will even be some who will constantly relapse, no matter how
much counseling I, or anyone else for that matter, has given them. I have noticed that by my
kindness, forgiveness and grace, that seems to be what works the absolute best, for most of these
people have never been raised in a home where grace is shown. Many have ended up breaking
down because of this, because they do not feel as though they deserve my kindness, even after
disregarding me time after time after time again.
We are no different, for we are still sinners, and alcohol may not be what we use when
we go back, it is not any different. Because Jesus will forgive me until the day I die, as long as I
continue to ask for forgiveness and keep him in my heart, I will do the same for others. I believe
that with serving, having relationships, and empowering, it is all utterly pointless if love and
grace is not shown. We use Jesus’ death on the cross as our example to forgive others, therefore
others will use our forgiveness as their example to continue to pass on that forgiveness, before
they come to know who Christ truly is. And when they do, they will understand why it is that we
continue to forgive them, even though they continue to hurt us. Because we have done exactly
the same thing to God himself. The New Testament is the perfect example of this, through Jesus’
forgiveness to those who have betrayed him, to him serving those he loves, to him protecting the
sinners, the church and the people from hate, discrimination, judgement and many more. The Old
Testament is a timeline of history, a story, giving us examples of right and wrong. It is of those
who followed God, became kings and fell because of their own selfish actions and greed, yet
God continued to love them. Many of the stories are lessons to be learned and it is also history.
The New Testament is full of stories of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, the prophesy of the
end, and it is also a command of how we as Christians, are to live our lives. Not for us, but for
God and for others. Jesus helps to explain that, yes, we have freedom, but we also have the
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freedom to give up that freedom and follow Him. To drop everything we own, leaving
everything behind, and follow Him. It is also up to us to share this to others, for we are what can
either bring someone to God or cause them to turn away. How can we bring people to Christ,
showing the world of His love, yet walk away from this and continue to hate and deny Christ by
our lifestyle? Just as Brennan Manning has said, this is what makes an unbelieving world, simply
unbelievable.
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Bibliography
Black, David and Thomas Lea. The New Testament: It’s Background and Message.
Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Oublishers, 1996
Forest, Benjamin K., and Chet Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday
Leader. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2017.
Malphurs, Aubrey. Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. Grand
Rapids, Baker Books Co., 2003.
Maxwell, John. 5 Levels of Leadership. New York, NY: Center Street Hachette Book
Group, 2013.
Towns, Elmer L. Biblical Models for Leadership. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning, 2011
