It may be a blessing in disguise that most people are upset with the leadership choices we have for President this year! Yes, they both have serious character and leadership flaws, but it’s also true that every leader in history (except for Jesus) has had some character flaws to some degree or another! (And so do you and I!) That doesn’t excuse their weaknesses, but it should alert us to the fact that everyone craves honest, caring, servant-minded leaders that put the needs of their people above their own. This is true in every area of life, whether it be politics, business, churches, social institutions, schools, and especially our homes. Leadership expert John Maxwell is fond of saying “Everything rises and falls on leadership!”, and he is exactly right. The Bible, from cover to cover, is stories about various leaders and how their leadership was either a blessing or curse to their people. Even the best leaders, like King David, Moses, and the apostle Peter, had some epic failures in their early lives. But God didn’t throw them away; he gave them a chance to repent, humble themselves, and then he painstakingly worked on their character, heart, and leadership abilities until they were transformed into strong, effective, and caring servant-leaders.

The only perfect leader to walk the earth was Jesus, fully God and fully man! Even his enemies were never able to find a flaw in his motives or words, as much as they hated to admit it! John Maxwell looked at the total Bible from a leadership perspective and came up with a “Leadership Bible”, my favorite Bible to study. I would like to borrow some of his observations about both the tough and tender sides of Jesus’ leadership approach and his effect on early Christian leaders:
– Husband and Wife: A supportive, covenant relationship in which the leader shows love and commitment. 2 Corinthians 11:2 (NIV) – 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
– Head & Body: A governing, protecting relationship in which the leader gives direction. Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
– Vine & Branches: A picture of the leader as a source of nourishment. John 15:5 (NIV) 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
– Potter & Clay: A picture of responsibility & surrender, as the leader develops the people. Romans 9:21 (NIV) 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Shepherd & Sheep: A picture of warmth and beauty. The leader guides & protects his sheep. John 10:11 (NIV) 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
– King & Citizens: A picture of wisdom & influence. The leader guides the people. Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
– Priest & Worshipers: A picture of godliness & spiritual intimacy.The leader connects people to God. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Of course, no human leader is going to perfectly live up to all those qualities. But ALL of us can improve and grow to become more like Jesus, and we need to start supporting and focusing on leaders who desire to become highly compassionate, competent, and committed leaders. How can we do this?
1) Start with yourself!
Everyone is a leader of some sort! Leadership is influence, and we ALL have influence over somebody. Are you disciplining yourself to grow and mature physically, mentally, and spiritually? Are you intentional about it, or does it just sound like a good idea that you never actually get around to doing? We can’t effectively lead anyone else if we can’t first lead ourselves!
2) Encourage and mentor younger people to grow in character and leadership ability!
Some of us baby-boomers, especially, have some wisdom and good experience to pass on to promising younger leaders. If we want a better life for people, we have to have better leaders! CJ and I just had the opportunity to attend the Global Leadership Summit, a world-wide event showcasing wonderful leaders from the business & faith community. Their purpose is to raise up powerful leaders of integrity, character, & vision in every country in the world, and thus change the world through strong, faithful leaders. It was amazing to hear the stories around the world of how God is using willing and humble leaders to change lives in marvelous ways! I believe God will use leaders like this probably much more than he will use our traditional and tired old government structures. If you’re interested, go the Willow Creek Association and look under the GLS information, and you’ll be inspired too! There is hope, in spite of what we often see on the news today.
3) PRAY for the leaders we have!
No matter who wins, nationally or locally, God can still touch their hearts and use them ( I know some of you have doubts about that!) Pray for humility and repentance for ALL leaders (starting with yourself), and expect God to do his thing in ways that we can’t see right now. After all , He IS sovereign over all the world, and the day will come when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! God will judge leaders of every generation, and no one will “get away” with corruption, deception, and evil deeds. So, don’t get bent out of shape about that stuff! Instead, remember that God is still looking for leaders of integrity to change the world! Will you and I be one of them? Will we pray for and mentor new young leaders? Will we even pray for the sometimes woefully inadequate leaders we have presently, knowing how Jesus offers them grace and a 2nd chance, just like he does us? Or, will we also be disobedient, and choose instead to sit on the sidelines and just complain? I hope not! God is calling all his leaders; it’s time to lead! Let’s go do it!