For my summer coursework, one assigned book is
Spiritual Leadership by Henry and Richard Blackaby. Heading into considering dissertation topics, this book provided excellent guidance into what leadership is and isn't. I'd highly recommend the book!
Along with the reading, we were asked to choose and write about 5 "non-negotiables" - aspects of philosophy, character, and/or behavior that are essential to leadership, specifically in my chosen field of Christian education. I decided to use the Five Solas of the Reformation as a foundation; here are some excerpts.
Theology matters. One’s view of God determines motives and actions. While the “Five Solas” of the Reformation might bring to mind ancient theological discussions, their importance lies not merely in nuances of philosophical argument, but in their tangible application to daily life. In considering the nonnegotiable principles of spiritual leadership, these five theological “hills to die on” can provide a foundation and direction in the life of an aspiring leader.
Foundational Principles
Soli Deo Gloria – To God Alone Be the Glory
The foremost command, often referred to as the Greatest Commandment, given to believers by Jesus is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). God calls believers to love and honor Him with their entire being. This is why the Westminster Shorter Catechism begins by declaring, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever” (Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics), or in Piper’s (2003) words, “to glorify God by enjoying Him forever” (p. 18). The Five Solas are so named specifically because of the word “only” or “alone” in each principle, and this is a key to their application. To glorify God simply as one among many or to praise God publicly while seeking personal glory is not sufficient. The foremost nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership is to glorify God alone, to ascribe honor only to His name in all decisions and actions. This means that a leader’s agenda is not his or her own; God’s agenda is paramount. Blackaby and Blackaby (2001) wrote that spiritual leaders “seek to move people on to God’s agenda, all the while being aware that only the Holy Spirit can ultimately accomplish this task” (p. 21).
Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
A key element of any leadership role is decision-making. Leaders can make decisions based on utility and pragmatism, choosing to do whatever gets results. They can make decisions based on polls, choosing to do whatever earns prestige and popularity. However, if a spiritual leader is seeking to honor God, decisions must be based on God’s will. Determining God’s will, though, is not necessarily simple . There must be a standard of truth to guide such decisions, and this standard is Scripture. The Bible is “inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God offers His Word to the spiritual leader to provide needed direction. The Greatest Commandment calls the believer to love God with the mind. The study of the Scriptures, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, prepares the mind to know God’s will rather than succumbing to the pressures of the world. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Therefore, a second nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership is knowledge and study of the Scriptures in order to be prepared and competent to make decisions.
Solus Christus – Christ Alone
A leader in any aspect of Christian ministry must be ever mindful of the fact that he or she is not the source of salvation. That role belongs to Jesus alone: “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5). While a leader can and should be a laborer for God’s kingdom, the timing and results always rest in God’s hands. Far too often, the “success” of a ministry is seen as depending upon the personality, charisma, skill, or efforts of its leader. However, all men are fallible (Romans 3:23), and as Blackaby and Blackaby (2001) wrote, “People can accomplish all of their goals and still not be successful in God’s kingdom” (p. 18). If the true head of the ministry is not Christ, the skill and effort will be futile:
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. (Psalm 127:1-2)
A third nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership is integrity and honesty. An understanding of Christ’s ultimate authority as the head of an organization frees a spiritual leader to avoid the traps of worldly strategies of dishonesty, manipulation, and power mongering. A leader whose organization revolves around man instead of God may seek to disguise motives or manipulate subordinates for personal gain. However, the leader who knows that Christ, and not him or herself, is the source of victory can tell the truth and live a life of integrity, resting in the sovereignty of God. As Blackaby and Blackaby (2001) wrote, “Leaders must be diligent that they never shift their trust from the Head of the church to the tools of the world” (p. 127).
Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
A fourth nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership is humility. When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples (John 13), he demonstrated servant leadership. Blackaby and Blackaby (2001) wrote, “Leaders’ persuasion is never enough unless accompanied by personal example” (p. 17). In contrast to the worldly goal of climbing the professional ladder to a position of esteem and power, the spiritual leader must clothe him or herself in sincere humility and become the servant. The message of the Gospel, when deeply understood, inspires humility and gratitude and allows no room for a prideful attitude due to position.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
When a leader properly views his or her own sinfulness and realizes that grace alone allows for forgiveness, humility is the result. As God’s workmanship, the leader can then seek to complete the tasks set before him or her for God’s glory.
Sola Fide – Faith Alone
Lloyd-Jones (1959) wrote, “There is no more perfect statement of the doctrine of justification by faith only than this Beatitude: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs (and theirs only) is the kingdom of heaven’” (p. 33, Matthew 5:3). Lloyd-Jones pointed out that the Sermon on the Mount "comes to us and says, 'There is the mountain that you have to scale, the heights you have to climb; and the first thing you must realize, as you look at that mountain which you are told you must ascend, is that you cannot do it, that you are utterly incapable in and of yourself, and that any attempt to do it in your own strength is proof positive that you have not understood it.'" (pp. 33-34)
Diligence, perseverance, and hard work embody the fifth nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership. Yet the bedrock of such diligence is the knowledge that only in God’s strength is His will attainable. Ephesians 2:8-9 states clearly that salvation is by grace through faith alone, so no amount of work “for the Kingdom” can bring about salvation. However, the next verse points out that this is a salvation unto good works, that there is work borne out of that salvation.
I'd love for you to join in the conversation!!
For more information on homeschool curriculum or other education resources, check out my website, MooreMath.com and send me your suggestions. Thanks!
Spiritual Leadership by Henry and Richard Blackaby. Heading into considering dissertation topics, this book provided excellent guidance into what leadership is and isn't. I'd highly recommend the book!
Along with the reading, we were asked to choose and write about 5 "non-negotiables" - aspects of philosophy, character, and/or behavior that are essential to leadership, specifically in my chosen field of Christian education. I decided to use the Five Solas of the Reformation as a foundation; here are some excerpts.
Theology matters. One’s view of God determines motives and actions. While the “Five Solas” of the Reformation might bring to mind ancient theological discussions, their importance lies not merely in nuances of philosophical argument, but in their tangible application to daily life. In considering the nonnegotiable principles of spiritual leadership, these five theological “hills to die on” can provide a foundation and direction in the life of an aspiring leader.
Foundational Principles
Soli Deo Gloria – To God Alone Be the Glory
The foremost command, often referred to as the Greatest Commandment, given to believers by Jesus is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). God calls believers to love and honor Him with their entire being. This is why the Westminster Shorter Catechism begins by declaring, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever” (Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics), or in Piper’s (2003) words, “to glorify God by enjoying Him forever” (p. 18). The Five Solas are so named specifically because of the word “only” or “alone” in each principle, and this is a key to their application. To glorify God simply as one among many or to praise God publicly while seeking personal glory is not sufficient. The foremost nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership is to glorify God alone, to ascribe honor only to His name in all decisions and actions. This means that a leader’s agenda is not his or her own; God’s agenda is paramount. Blackaby and Blackaby (2001) wrote that spiritual leaders “seek to move people on to God’s agenda, all the while being aware that only the Holy Spirit can ultimately accomplish this task” (p. 21).
Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
A key element of any leadership role is decision-making. Leaders can make decisions based on utility and pragmatism, choosing to do whatever gets results. They can make decisions based on polls, choosing to do whatever earns prestige and popularity. However, if a spiritual leader is seeking to honor God, decisions must be based on God’s will. Determining God’s will, though, is not necessarily simple . There must be a standard of truth to guide such decisions, and this standard is Scripture. The Bible is “inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God offers His Word to the spiritual leader to provide needed direction. The Greatest Commandment calls the believer to love God with the mind. The study of the Scriptures, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, prepares the mind to know God’s will rather than succumbing to the pressures of the world. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Therefore, a second nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership is knowledge and study of the Scriptures in order to be prepared and competent to make decisions.
Solus Christus – Christ Alone
A leader in any aspect of Christian ministry must be ever mindful of the fact that he or she is not the source of salvation. That role belongs to Jesus alone: “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5). While a leader can and should be a laborer for God’s kingdom, the timing and results always rest in God’s hands. Far too often, the “success” of a ministry is seen as depending upon the personality, charisma, skill, or efforts of its leader. However, all men are fallible (Romans 3:23), and as Blackaby and Blackaby (2001) wrote, “People can accomplish all of their goals and still not be successful in God’s kingdom” (p. 18). If the true head of the ministry is not Christ, the skill and effort will be futile:
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. (Psalm 127:1-2)
A third nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership is integrity and honesty. An understanding of Christ’s ultimate authority as the head of an organization frees a spiritual leader to avoid the traps of worldly strategies of dishonesty, manipulation, and power mongering. A leader whose organization revolves around man instead of God may seek to disguise motives or manipulate subordinates for personal gain. However, the leader who knows that Christ, and not him or herself, is the source of victory can tell the truth and live a life of integrity, resting in the sovereignty of God. As Blackaby and Blackaby (2001) wrote, “Leaders must be diligent that they never shift their trust from the Head of the church to the tools of the world” (p. 127).
Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
A fourth nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership is humility. When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples (John 13), he demonstrated servant leadership. Blackaby and Blackaby (2001) wrote, “Leaders’ persuasion is never enough unless accompanied by personal example” (p. 17). In contrast to the worldly goal of climbing the professional ladder to a position of esteem and power, the spiritual leader must clothe him or herself in sincere humility and become the servant. The message of the Gospel, when deeply understood, inspires humility and gratitude and allows no room for a prideful attitude due to position.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
When a leader properly views his or her own sinfulness and realizes that grace alone allows for forgiveness, humility is the result. As God’s workmanship, the leader can then seek to complete the tasks set before him or her for God’s glory.
Sola Fide – Faith Alone
Lloyd-Jones (1959) wrote, “There is no more perfect statement of the doctrine of justification by faith only than this Beatitude: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs (and theirs only) is the kingdom of heaven’” (p. 33, Matthew 5:3). Lloyd-Jones pointed out that the Sermon on the Mount "comes to us and says, 'There is the mountain that you have to scale, the heights you have to climb; and the first thing you must realize, as you look at that mountain which you are told you must ascend, is that you cannot do it, that you are utterly incapable in and of yourself, and that any attempt to do it in your own strength is proof positive that you have not understood it.'" (pp. 33-34)
Diligence, perseverance, and hard work embody the fifth nonnegotiable principle of spiritual leadership. Yet the bedrock of such diligence is the knowledge that only in God’s strength is His will attainable. Ephesians 2:8-9 states clearly that salvation is by grace through faith alone, so no amount of work “for the Kingdom” can bring about salvation. However, the next verse points out that this is a salvation unto good works, that there is work borne out of that salvation.
I'd love for you to join in the conversation!!
For more information on homeschool curriculum or other education resources, check out my website, MooreMath.com and send me your suggestions. Thanks!
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