Human nature desires measurements. We are competitive. How am I doing? Am I succeeding?
Leadership, especially Christian leadership, is often evaluated by the wrong standards. Leadership is not in title, position, or prestige. Leadership down at the church house must not be measured by secular standards.
Christian leadership involves two basic elements: service and influence. Leadership is exercised from below, not from above. The who who leads, the one Jesus calls the greatest, is the one who serves. Leaders can be identified by their relationship with the least–their willingness to serve at the fringes, the uninvolved, the dropouts, the depressed, lonely, and needy. Leaders involve themselves in a lot of relationships that are not mutual–the other person cannot repay or respond. A person who serves everyone unconditionally will naturally become a leader. Because leadership involves service, leaders invest incredible amounts of time in other folks. Needs do not arise on our schedule–leaders are available to serve and meet needs.
Christian leaders influence others. This is not by power or control. This is more indirect than direct. Christian leaders rescue the perishing, tell the good news to the lost. Christian leaders are evangelistic and pastoral. They care for the least and have the unique ability to reach out, touch, and influence others. The influence of the Christian leader is by example. Others are 100% involved because the leader is 100% involved. Influence comes from many sources–knowledge, competence, relationships…. The influence of the Christian leader comes because others can clearly see the presence of God–commitment, demeanor, attitude, action, care and concern.