I am going to discuss here some of the ideas of John C.Maxwell who has written an excellent book called " Christian Leadership" where he highlights some of the qualities needed for a good Christian leader.He mentions the following qualities as necessar for a good leader : "Integrity, Nurturing other people, Having faith in other people,Understanding other people,Enlarging other people, Navigating for other people and Empowering other people." Of course, these qualities come from one's deep-rooted faith in Christ.
He explains integrity as commitment of oneself to character over personal gain and showing preference to people and not to things.
Nurturing , according to Maxwell, involves showing genuine concern for others."People are influenced most by those who make them feel the best about themselves....Your goal is others' growth and independence."He asks the aspiring leaders " to take time to express your love and appreciation for the people close to you."He adds further in this matter: "Make other people a priority in your life over every other thing.Give others recognition at every opportunity...Instead of thinking of yourself, put others first....The length and breadth of our influence on others are directly related to the depth of our concern for them."
In this regard,Maxwell quotes the following words of Mark Twain: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.Small people always do that , but really great make you feel that you too can become great."
He prescribes the following steps in order to become a nururing leader:
1.Commit to people.2.Believe in them.3.Be accessible to them. 4.Give with no strings attached. 5.Give them opportunities.6.Lift them to a t higher level.
"The best way to motivate is to focus your attention on their strengths.Show them that success is a journey, a process, and not a destination."
"Instead of focusing on weaknesses, pay attention to people's strength.Compliment postive qualities.Bring out the gifts inherent in them."
"If you want to help others and become a person of influence, keep smiling, sharing, giving,and turning the other cheek.That is the right way to treat people.Besides, you never know which people in your sphere of influence are going to rise up and make a difference in your life and the lives of others."
The above ideas of Maxwell are just an elaboration of the Gospel mesage: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Real leadership consists in putting into practice the teachings of the Gospel.Jesus has asked us specifically to show love, regard and respect for others. By washing the feet of the apostles, he tells them that leadership consists in service.He asks them not to lord it over others as the Jewish leaders of their time did. He wants his disciples to do a s he did: :" I came not to be served but to serve others."
If those in authroity in the Church would listen to these words of Jesus and followed in their lives what He did, the changes that would take place in the world would be immeasurable.
Christian leader, hence , is a Servant Leader.
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