In his clear message to the Roman church, Paul emphasizes the importance of using one’s leadership abilities with enthusiasm. The New Living Translation captures his words well: “With God’s grace, He has given us different gifts… If you have leadership skills, show responsibility in that role.”
There are two widely accepted truths among Christians regarding spiritual gifts. First, every believer possesses at least one gift through the Holy Spirit. Second, these gifts are meant to support and build up the church.
That said, some confusion remains about specific gifts. Certain ones, like speaking in tongues or healing, can spark debate. However, I believe the concept of leadership is not lacking. The question remains: what does it really mean to embody leadership?
Today, unfortunately, church leadership often suffers from severe misinterpretations. Too often, it’s seen as an autocratic or dictatorial venture, which veers far from Jesus’s vision. He reminded his disciples that, unlike worldly rulers who impose their authority, true leadership in the church requires servitude.
This misinterpretation has led to a backlash against leadership itself, resulting in many churches swapping out committed leaders for hesitant pastors.
It’s beyond frustrating to present a straightforward idea at a seminar that could significantly enhance a church’s capabilities, only to hear leaders respond with, “We can’t do that.” More often than not, their reluctance isn’t due to lack of resources or volunteers but a fundamental struggle with the concept of leading freely.
In a recent piece, Philip K. Howard highlighted this issue, asserting, “Americans are afraid of authority.” He argues that allowing leaders to exercise their judgment is critical for effective governance. For instance, he discusses how rigid policies can sometimes hinder quick, informed decision-making. He shares a rather absurd example of the federal government buying a hammer with overly complicated specifications—pondering why there isn’t more trust in simply making a straightforward purchase.
When leaders are allowed to take charge, progress is swift. Take, for example, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s rapid repair of a major highway segment in just 12 days, or the development of a COVID-19 vaccine in less than nine months. In stark contrast, consider the lengthy approval process for San Francisco’s public restrooms, which were exorbitantly priced and took far too long to build. Reflecting on such oddities, Howard critiques the current bureaucratic landscape as one that hinders essential authority, leaving the nation trailing behind in significant areas such as infrastructure and education.
However, Howard cautions against viewing authoritative leadership as synonymous with dictatorship, referencing the failures of Soviet central planning. So, the dilemma isn’t about leveling more red tape or imposing authoritarian measures.
What’s truly needed is effective leadership—leaders capable of exercising sound judgment. Responsibilities must be clearly defined, with officials empowered to make decisions and held accountable for their actions.
Yes, this is vital for America. But, it’s equally crucial for the church. We must empower spiritually gifted leaders to guide effectively, allowing them the autonomy to take initiative.
…and perhaps help them buy a hammer or two.
