Do you aspire to lead? Terrific! Leaders are wanted. Actually, Godly leaders are desperately needed. “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1 NIV)
Twenty-first century church leaders are profoundly needed. The world has had too many wash-outs and burn-outs. One of the central reasons for many failures is improper motives driving a person to lead in a sphere of ministry to which God has not called them. Christ’s Body needs faithful leaders that will finish the noble task to which they have been called.
What is your motive behind your desire to be a leader in the church? Carefully evaluate your motives. Why do you want to lead? Motivation is the key. Why are you seeking to be a leader? For yourself? For Christ? Are you seeking after God’s agenda or your own? Jesus told His disciples, “I seek not to please myself but him who sent me” (John 5:30b NIV). Is pleasing God at the root of your desire to lead? Are you living for God’s fame?
Don’t be too quick to excuse your own self-promotion. The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah cautions his secretary Baruch, “Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it!” (Jeremiah 45:5 NLT) Self-centeredness is a chain that binds you. Paul warns that some preachers actually “proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives” (Philippians 1:17 NASB).
Check yourself today. Is your foundation to lead built on any of the following inadequate motivations?
- A desire for respect from your peers?
- A desire to be recognized by the public?
- A desire to show off your gifts and talents?
- A desire for an official title in front of your name?
- A desire to prove your worth or earn your acceptance?
- A desire for power or to have authority of others?
- A desire to be paid?
- A desire to be praised on earth for your generosity or good deeds?
- A desire to be served by others?
- A desire to be more important than your currently are?
What is your motive? What is pushing your desire? Why are you aspiring to lead?
