Leadership | Being Led

Hebrews 13 has some excellent things to say about how we ought to respond to our leaders:

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

I think in order to lead well, we must, first and foremost, know how to submit to biblical leadership.   The writer of Hebrews clearly had in mind that the leaders he was referring to are teaching sound doctrine, and have lives worth imitating.  Our response to men who are qualified elders who teach the word of God and oversee the church of God is to obey and submit to their authority.

Those desiring leadership ought to first desire to be led by godly men themselves, and have the opportunity to observe and imitate the life of godliness that is demonstrated.  Practically speaking, this is good medicine for young, ambitious leaders to be sanctified, as we are notorious for our impudent and brash behavior that frequently rejects authority in frustration.

I am thankful for the men who lead me, and am grateful they are men with lives worth imitating, and pray that God would continue to raise up qualified men who exercise oversight with great love and care.