Becoming a Loving Leader Like Jesus

By Bill Gaultiere

For many years I avoided leadership books.

The subject of leadership made me afraid… afraid to feel inadequate… to become overly ambitious… to feed my ego. 

Maybe hearing the word “leadership” in the context of ministry makes you uncomfortable.

All of us have experienced leadership teaching and training that “misses the mark.” I once read a leadership book by a Christian author who did not mention Jesus once!

But our Lord and Savior didn’t shy away from leadership. Jesus models for us how to be counter-cultural leaders.

The King of Kings leads with all authority, power, wisdom, and knowledge (Colossians 2:3,10; John 3:34-35). Yet he humbled himself and sacrificed his life out of love for all people (Philippians 2:6-8, Mark 15:31). 

Appreciating Jesus as a powerful and loving leader is part of your formation in Christlikeness. It’s the first step to enrolling in his training school for spiritual leadership. 

Jesus desires all of us to be counter-cultural leaders like him. He calls and blesses you into ministry leadership: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14).

It’s easy to think that “salt and light” means preaching to the masses or converting people to faith in Christ. That might be part of your mission. But it isn’t the full extent of Jesus’ illustration during the Sermon on the Mount. 

The greater context (Matthew 5-7) shows that Jesus focused his teaching on how we relate to Abba and each other. Jesus’ vision for the “Kingdom kind of life” was living in agape — loving in a generous and unconditional way.

Raboni Jesus teaches us that love does not push people, use them, or show any signs of disrespect (5:21-48). Instead, people of love offer patient instruction (5:17-20), listening (5:23-26), a sincere heart (6:1-4), prayer (6:5-13), forgiveness (6:14-15), a non-anxious presence (6:25-34), and non-judgemental grace (7:1-6). 

Jesus’ way of love can become the culture of your place of leadership —powerfully restoring your family, small group, church, or city where you’re called. 

It might feel impossible to lead this way! But Jesus teaches we can become the kind of leaders who are filled to the brim and overflow with Abba’s love (Matthew 5:43-48).

How did Jesus become a leader who protected the tender? Who was patient with his team when they made mistakes? Who blessed everybody — even his enemies? Who wasn’t ego-driven but motivated only by the Father’s love? Who saw interruptions as opportunities to share healing love?

Jesus trained himself to live in God’s presence at an unhurried pace — first in Nazareth and then during his ministry. 

He prioritized intimacy and formation before starting his ministry and practiced it after it took off (Luke 2:52, Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 5:15-16). 

He practiced waiting. He learned patience. He cultivated kindness. 

The Savior of the Universe who raised the dead to life also washed feet. He built chairs for people. He taught and empowered uneducated men and women day after day. He fixed breakfast and encouraged them after they failed. 

This is the kind of loving leadership that changed the world. And this is the kind of leader Jesus invites you to become! 

The Soul Shepherding Institute trains pastors and missionaries to go deeper with Jesus in emotional health and loving leadership through immersive retreats. As part of the Institute, you can also train in Spiritual Direction to partner with the Spirit of Jesus to minister God’s empathy, grace, and wisdom.

This article is submitted by Carolyn Trevino of Soul Shepherding.  Soul Shepherdingis a Missio Nexus member.  Member organizations can provide content to the Missio Nexus website. See how by clicking here.