The Bible reveals that Christians are to become “kings and priests” to reign with Christ on earth in the millennium (Revelation 5:10; 1:6; 20:4–6). Scripture explains that God is preparing a chosen people to function as civic and religious leaders in the coming kingdom of God. Many find this hard to believe, especially when the Bible also states: “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26). You are not alone if you have sometimes wondered how you could ever rule over cities and nations.
However, it is important to realize that God does not intend to use us as we are. The Bible explains that we are called to grow so we can function as leaders in the coming government of God. The parables of the talents and the minas (Matthew 25:14–19; Luke 19:11–27) indicate that our reward will be in direct proportion to how much we grow and overcome. When Jesus returns, He will marry His bride—the Church. The bride is described as a woman who “has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7). We need to consider: what can we do now to become effective leaders in the future?
The foundation of effective leadership rests on skills and character. Individuals who hope to become leaders must acquire certain skills and develop specific qualities of character. In this article we will focus on five qualities of character and associated skills that make leaders effective. These are qualities that anyone can develop with reasonable effort. These qualities can be fostered in children by forward-looking parents. By asking God to guide you in this process, you can let God mold you into an instrument He will be able to use now, and in His coming kingdom.
Think Like a Leader
The Bible emphasizes three important mental attributes that leaders must develop to rule effectively: knowledge, understanding and wisdom. We are not born with these attributes—they must be developed. Jesus upbraided religious leaders of His day for their lack of knowledge. When the Sadducees challenged Christ with a hypothetical question about the resurrection, Jesus responded bluntly that “you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). Leaders must be knowledgeable—they must know their subject. This is why Peter admonishes Christians to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Jesus said: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Knowledge is power. When you know—and remember—the truth, you will not easily be deceived or led astray. When you know the truth, you can function as a leader, teaching that truth to others. The job of the saints in the kingdom of God will be to explain to mankind “this is the way, walk you in it” (Isaiah 30:20–21). In order to grow to the point where we can do this effectively, we must spend time studying the Bible (2 Timothy 2:14–17) and explaining it to our children.
However, leaders need more than knowledge of facts. Solomon wrote that “wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). Understanding involves learning how facts fit together; wisdom involves using knowledge and understanding to make right conclusions and sound judgments. It is possible to be smart (with much knowledge) yet make dumb decisions that get us—and whoever follows us—into trouble because we lack wisdom and understanding! But how can you develop wisdom and understanding?
The Bible reveals that “the fear of God is the beginning [starting point] of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). If we are willing to look humbly into the Word of God, to find out what God has revealed on a subject, we will be pointed in the right direction. We can then look for additional information that fits with these biblical principles. We are advised to actively seek after wisdom (Proverbs 2:1–12), and become observant (Proverbs 1:20–33) so we notice the causes of success and failure. Effective leaders must learn how to identify wise counselors and seek their advice (Proverbs 11:14). The wisest counsel comes from God and His word (Proverbs 2:6). This is why David wrote: “Oh how I love Your law… Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:97, 105). Aspiring leaders will choose wise companions, and avoid spending time with fools or wasting time in foolish pursuits (Proverbs 13:20). Reading biographies, autobiographies or books about great leaders is an excellent way to learn how leaders think. Meditating on the Bible will help you to understand how God thinks (Philippians 2:5). Effective leaders are constantly learning—and growing in knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Wise parents help their children understand and develop these same attributes.
Develop Courage
Peter states that, to grow, Christians must add specific qualities to their faith. The first quality mentioned is virtue (2 Peter 1:5–11). The Greek word for virtue is arête, which means strength, courage, valor, resoluteness, determination. Jesus warned that real Christians will face persecution, “but he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). Endurance requires courage and determination. Throughout the Bible, God continually urges leaders to develop courage. When Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel, God told him: “Be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or the left” (Joshua 1:6–9). When Solomon assumed the throne of Israel, he was admonished by his father David to “be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God; to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses” (1 Kings 2:2–3). Jesus said, “if you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
In our modern secular society, it requires courage and determination to keep the commandments of God. The pressures of today, both outside and inside the Church, urge us to compromise and fit in with the values of the world. To stand up for the Truth is not easy. We develop courage by resisting temptations—by refusing to compromise on the Sabbath or the Holy Days, regardless of what our friends, relatives or employers think or decide to do. We exercise courage when we persevere doing the Work when others are saying that the Work is over. Jesus said that if we are willing to live God’s way of life, He will intercede for us with the Father, yet He warned that “whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32–33). To be effective, leaders must develop courage to do the right things.
Learn Teamwork
Paul describes the true Church as the “body of Christ,” unified and “joined and knit together by what every joint supplies” (Ephesians 4:12–16). The human body is able to survive and function in a healthy manner when all its parts and systems work together. The Church of God is to function in a similar manner. However, because we are human and subject to Satan’s divisive influence, we have important lessons to learn in this regard—just as the Apostles did (see Acts 15:36–40). Scripture provides us with important instructions about teamwork, which we can study and put into practice.
One of the most important ways to promote teamwork is to communicate positively and often with teammates and the team captain. When the communication systems of the body—nerves and chemicals—work properly, the result is coordinated and timely movements. When the body’s communication systems break down, we do not function well. It is the same in a family, a church or any other organization. It is the job of leaders and team players to encourage communication. Malachi wrote that “those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord heard them” and recorded their names in a book (Malachi 3:16). Communication is fostered when we use pleasant words instead of making harsh demands (Proverbs 15:1), when we avoid making judgmental statements about others and focus on getting our own lives in order (Matthew 7:1–6). James notes that wise leaders learn to control their tongue. Leaders who learn to use God’s Spirit will be “peaceable, gentle, willing to yield [to reason—and to God’s Word], full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). Such individuals will be approachable, respectful of others and easy to talk to. They say what they mean, and mean what they say. Effective leaders become good communicators, and promote communication—which promotes teamwork.
Be Firm, But Flexible
One big pitfall for anyone in a leadership position is the abuse of—or misunderstanding how to use—authority. It is easy to get carried away with authority and go on a “power trip.” Children—and many who act like children—love being in charge, even when others who are affected do not find the situation very pleasant. Learning how to lead is an art that requires training and experience. Leaders must be able to recognize when to be firm and when to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.
The Bible indicates that husbands are to take the lead in family relationships, and wives are to be subject to this God-ordained structure (Ephesians 5:22–23). Yet husbands are also instructed to dwell with their wives “with understanding” (1 Peter 3:7) which means being sensitive to their wife’s needs, desires, hopes and dreams. This is not a sign of weakness on the part of a man, but an indication that the man has learned how to adapt to another person. While a wife is to recognize and adapt to the authority of her husband, she should be capable of exercising authority in a wide variety of circumstances (Proverbs 31:10–31). She, too, must learn when to be firm and how to be flexible. Wives can lead their daughters to a right understanding of the marriage relationship by appropriately following and supporting their husbands. Fathers lead their sons by demonstrating how to adapt to and understand the needs of their wives.
These same skills have applications within the Church. Although Paul told elders that there were times to exercise authority—to convince, rebuke and exhort (cf. 2 Timothy 4:1–2)—Paul understood that there were times to be firm, and times to be flexible and adapt to situations that arose. Wise leaders learn to recognize when they need to take charge, and when to follow and be supportive so the team can achieve its goal. The team is damaged and even destroyed when someone assumes that a certain responsibility is “my personal territory” and cannot be done by anyone else. Sometimes jobs are rotated so that others can gain experience and grow. In areas where we once led, we may later need to follow and be supportive—without griping or complaining. Being able to adapt smoothly is a sign of a mature leader who can still exercise leadership, and provide an example, by following.
Be a Profitable Servant
We live in a world that glorifies perks and position. Many want to be on top so they can have more of the benefits. This is the way human societies function. Yet Jesus said: “whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:26–28). Jesus told His self-seeking disciples they needed to focus on becoming servant leaders. But how can you do this if you are not in charge of anything?
One of the most effective ways a leader can serve (and a servant can lead) is by example. This is why Jesus told His disciples to “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16). We set a good example when we notice and try to fill the needs of others. We set an example by attending services on a regular basis, by encouraging others and not criticizing the messages or the leadership or other brethren. We set an example by how we dress and by what we talk about or do not talk about. James commented that a person who is truly converted will “show by good conduct [conversation] that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). Paul observed that a godly person will focus on whatever is “true… noble… just… pure… lovely… of good report” (Philippians 4:8). Profitable servants of God will strive to set this kind of example because they want to please God and qualify to be leaders in His coming Kingdom.
The prospect of becoming a king or a priest—a future civic or religious leader, or both—may seem distant and unreal, yet that is why you were called. That is also why children are born. Becoming a leader involves building character and developing skills. The process involves repenting, changing, growing and overcoming. It is not easy, but it is possible. The reward is a crown—a chance to rule with Jesus Christ, and to teach God’s way of life to the world.
Dress for Services
We live in an age when standards of decency and what is socially acceptable have undergone a dramatic change. It used to be considered extremely bad taste for a man to go out in public unshaven, or to wear a cap into a restaurant or someone’s home. People would not wear torn or tattered clothing unless they were extremely poor. The only women who wore clothing that exposed too much flesh were either naïve or prostitutes. Young people were taught to show respect for their elders, and no one would think of calling people in responsible positions by their first names. Yet behaviors once considered uncouth and unacceptable are now widely practiced and considered “normal.”
The Church of God has taught for many years that appropriate dress for services should be the best we can afford within the realm of good taste and in harmony with scriptural guidelines. Yet the Church has been affected by the same “relaxed” social trends that have affected society. In recent years, questions have arisen about what is appropriate attire for services, and how leaders should be addressed. Some suggest that dress should be more casual, and that titles should be eliminated because they indicate division. They argue that what is in our heart is what is important, and that if we are more casual we can be more “real.” However, it is instructive to notice the results of these modern trends, and how current opinions contrast with the instructions God provides in His Word about appearance and conduct.
One result—over time—of more casual dress at services can be a more casual approach to doctrine. Individuals who become comfortable ignoring biblical standards of dress may quickly find that other “comfortable” individual opinions about the Bible begin to take precedence over Church teachings from the Bible. A casual approach to dress is not unlike a casual approach to respecting the ministry, or older brethren. Those who view a minister as just another “Tom, Dick or Harry” are not giving the office the biblically ordained respect it deserves. Where such an irreverent attitude prevails, standards will decline, worship will suffer, and respect for accurate doctrine and zealous Christian living will also diminish. We have all seen how, in such congregations, people at first reason that whatever is acceptable to the majority is OK—then, soon, many individually assume that however they decide to worship God will be acceptable to Him “because He is a God of love.”
Of course, this is simply misguided reasoning. Surprising as it may seem to many today, the Bible contains clear guidelines about dress and conduct. When Adam and Eve sinned, they stitched fig leaves together to cover their nakedness; but God instead made for them tunics of animal skins, to clothe them more appropriately (Genesis 3:21). When God established a priesthood to represent Him on earth, He gave specific instructions about how priests were to dress, especially when conducting a religious service (see Exodus 28). The Bible states that it is not appropriate for men to wear women’s clothing, or for women to dress like men (Deuteronomy 22:5). Men are not to wear their hair long, and women are not to have short hair like men (1 Corinthians 11:1–16). Godly women are to dress “with propriety and moderation [discretion]” (1 Timothy 2:9) especially—but not only—for worship services. When Christ returns, there will be a great wedding feast; however, those who are dressed inappropriately will be excluded (Matthew 22:11–14). The saints who rule with Christ will be given fine white garments (Revelation 3:5; 19:8) that are symbolic of righteousness—which entails right conduct. Paul advised the Church to “recognize [respect] those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord… and esteem them highly for their work’s sake” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13). They were not to be viewed as just “one of the boys.”
These scriptures indicate that God does not take a casual approach toward the subject of dress or appearance, or how we view those in positions of responsibility. God does not alter biblical standards because society decides to change. What we wear, and our attitude toward those over us, is important to God—because it reflects what is in our heart and our attitude towards His instructions. This is why the Church of God has taught that appropriate dress for services should be the best we can afford within the realm of good taste and in harmony with scriptural guidelines. The Church has also taught that deference and respect should be shown to leaders, and older people, because that is the biblical example. If we follow these Bible-based instructions about appearance and conduct, we may also find that we will become more careful about following other biblical teachings and less prone to compromise in many other areas.