Leadership is the power to evoke the proper response from others in order to obtain a selected goal. During football season, we see outstanding examples of young men with the leadership skills needed to encourage and motivate their teams to victory. We call these warriors of the gridiron “quarterbacks.” Standing on the sidelines during many NFL games, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing team interactions up close. From that viewpoint, I observed effective leadership with excellent leadership traits modeled by some great quarterbacks. They didn’t just masterfully orchestrate and lead the offensive strategy on the field, they had a tremendous influence on the game’s flow and outcome.
Successful quarterbacks have developed certain capabilities and traits. They are quick to encourage others and recognize the value of utilizing others’ gifts to accomplish an objective. They direct their teammates toward a positive future and vision, motivate the team to achieve their absolute best, and strive to maintain unity and harmony. These qualities transfer into any leadership position—in our churches, at work, at home, among our friends, and in our communities. People will respect and want to follow a leader who is capable and models a proper attitude and decent behavior. A genuinely great leader is not arrogant or egocentric. He sacrifices for others to reach a common goal.
During the time of Christ, unbelievable leadership was modeled by the strongest swimmer among a ship’s crew, the archegos. When a ship approached an unstable shoreline, where a safe beach landing was not assured, the archegos jumped in the pounding surf and swam ashore with a rope fastened to the ship. Once ashore, he secured the long rope to the landing, usually an exceptionally large rock or significant tree. Then other passengers could disembark, using the rope as a safety tether to reach the shore. The archegos sacrificed his own safety for the safety of others.
When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He is our Archegos, tethering us to eternal salvation. Without His sacrificial death and resurrection, we would be lost. Instead, Jesus left us with a brighter hope, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). When we surrender to His lordship, He is our Quarterback. We look to Him for direction, wisdom, and strategy. We let Him call the plays and trust His leadership (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Jesus modeled sacrificial leadership. His leadership skills far outweigh those of the greatest quarterback or bravest archegos. Christ-like leadership skills also include humility, meekness, compassion, and a complete submission to the will of the Father (John 12:49-50). During His brief years of ministry, Jesus demonstrated how to lead with truth, courage, wisdom, determination, patience, self-control, and boldness.
People who have good leadership skills have usually been tested and tried under stressful situations. Walter Lippmann said, “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.” Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav said, “When a man is able to take abuse with a smile, he is worthy to become a leader.” Leadership is not always what it’s cracked up to be, but it is what we are called to. Who we are and how we live will either lead others to Christ or away from Him.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:18-20
Personal Application: As you cheer on your favorite quarterbacks, remember the One who leads us to lasting victory. Ask God to mold you so that you will develop Christ-like leadership. No matter what your position in life, others are watching you. How is God leading you to lead them? In what other arenas can you model Christ-like leadership?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5