One of the leaders I relate to most in scripture is Peter. If I had to choose which apostle I could be like I would want to be like Paul, it seems like Paul always seemed to know where he was going, what he was doing. In all actuality I’m whimsical like Peter. I bounce from “one ditch to the other”. I can never seem to keep things “in the middle of the road”. All that being said, Peter does show us the heart of real leader in the body of Christ in 2 peter 1. I hope I will find the way to lead with his heart.
First, he is more concerned about character development than bottom line production. (2 Peter 1:3-7) He tells us that God had already done so much for us & that he has provided all we need. In response to that we should do more. No, that is not what he says, he says we should concentrate on letting God grow our character by adding new dimensions of His character to our daily walk. The list of those character traits are as follows:
2 Peter 1:5–7 (NLT) “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”
All of those, if we are concentrated on growing in them, should bring about a certain bottom line production, but that bottom line production is not the point, becoming like Jesus is. A good leader is more worried about themselves personally being more like Christ, & that those who they are entrusted to care for aren’t just merely productive(getting tasks done) but are also growing to be like Christ. A Godly leader is more concerned about character development than anything else.
Secondly, he is more concerned with what will be left for those coming after him than what is going on in the present. A Godly leader will himself/herself sacrifice greatly what is easy, comfortable, & expedient in the now to ensure those coming after him/her have a solid footing with which to build once they are gone. Peter talks about that in 2 Peter 1:13–15 (NLT):
“And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.”
A Godly leader will face conflict & controversy purposefully & willingly to bring about stability for those coming up behind them.
Lastly, Peter reminds them that they need to keep growing grace & that God gets all the Glory. Really what he is saying is keep the main things the main things. Keep yourself & those around you growing in grace. Keep ensuring that Jesus gets all the credit for what happens in your life. It’s not your effort, not your program, not your way of doing things, not your charisma, not your eloquence, not your ability to team build, not your particular productivity, or your donation to help mankind. It is HIS Love, Grace, Truth, & Power that have made all of it possible. Look at 2 Peter 3:18 (NLT):
“Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.”
I guess I would paraphrase that last verse it would simply read: “Stay Humble(like Jesus), Stay thankful (to Jesus).” A Godly leader stays humble & thankful.
So follow Peter’s leadership focus. His focus was on character, future, & Jesus.
Lead Simply, by staying:
1. Character Focused- developing yourself & others.
2. Future Focused- sacrificing now to ensure a solid future for others.
3. Jesus focused-humbly staying in grace & gratitude.
Lead well choosing quality over quantity , longevity & humility over short lived notoriety.
Pastor Aaron 