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The Leadership Style Of Jesus Christ

Is it not strange that the leadership style of the most important person to ever walk this earth was never properly researched and developed?

Think about it. Scientists were able to identify Hitler's corpse by his teeth. [And this is not unusual anymore by today's standards.] Today, a person's DNA can be detected from one strand of hair. Science [in all its diversities] has grown tremendously, and it is God that gave mankind this type of intelligence. God gave us intelligence, He gave us the ability to research, discriminate, chose, and determine. God [thus declares the Bible in Genesis 1:27], made mankind according to His image. Our intelligence, abilities and potential is far above that of animals and plants. [Irrespective of what some schools of thought concoct.]

With this intellect mankind has researched and developed almost every conceivable subject. They can tell you the finest details of the smallest particle in outer space.

But, can they tell you the leadership style of Jesus Christ? No!

There are many writings about Jesus, including some about His leadership style. But have they thoroughly researched it? No. They make many assumptions, but apparently did very little research. Have you read the part where Jesus said: "I am the good servant"? Neither have I. What I DID read, was the part where He said "I am the Good Shepherd". [This was not stated out of sarcasm or ill will.] I simply want to demonstrate that we have gone off the track when discussing the leadership style of Jesus Christ.

On the issue of Christian Leadership more is written about King David than of Jesus. Similarly I have read much about King David setting the example as shepherd. [And a fine Shepherd He was.] I think it is good to accentuate King David's leadership style as King David was God-chosen, and it was no coincidence that he was destined to write the 23rd Psalm. Yet, when we remain focused on King David's shepherd leadership are we not forgetting something? Is there not someone greater who had more impact on the flock than King David?

All of the Old Testament serves as an indicator towards Jesus Christ.

Abraham points towards Jesus, and so do Moses, David, and many other Old Testament figures. Thus, if we over-emphasises any one of the Old Testament characters, [holy as they be], we stand a chance of taking honour and glory away from Jesus.

Also, if we want to find the best leadership style, would it be best if we go on a search of human leaders, or would we do better to observe the Son of God?  The fact of the matter is, God knows everything from before creation. He created everything that exists, and by the way, Jesus was involved with the Father according to John 1:3.

Now, does it not sound logical to assume that Jesus is fully aware of what the best leadership style would be, from eternal past until eternal future?

Why then, shall we remain with King David while we can move on to Jesus?

When I began to make a study of Christian leadership styles, I went to the same person that I turned to when I came to the realisation that I was in need of a Saviour. I went to the one Person who knows it all. The one after whom Christianity is named. The Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Then I found that He had already elaborated on His leadership style. He said:

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11 KJV)

There it was, written in the Scriptures for everyone to see. Jesus was not [as some apparently assume] referring to and concentrating on the sheep in that verse. Yes He was concerned about the future of the sheep, but in these verses He was primarily referring to His own leadership style. He was telling us about the best leadership style to apply if we want the sheep to thrive. If He wanted to emphasize the sheep in the equation, He could have said ‘you are great sheep', or something similar.

He could also have said ‘I am the saviour', [which is absolutely true] but that was NOT what this discursion was about. Jesus was referring to the correct way to lead His flock. His followers were like sheep. This He explained in various parables. They needed shepherd-like care. He also knew that the time was coming for Him to return to His Father, and that the sheep would need new leaders of His kind and not hirelings. Hirelings would flee when danger threatens but the right type of leaders would stand tall, protecting and caring for the sheep.

Jesus was proactively telling His followers through the ages, that for any flock of sheep to thrive, they would need a leader of His kind to lead and protect them.

With the grace of God and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit I researched the leadership style of Jesus Christ over a period of more than 20 years. In the end, after writing a PhD thesis on the topic of Jesus' leadership style, I realised that all this research and effort, would be in vain if I do not share it. All the wisdom that was gained would be lost.

Most important, the name of Jesus would not be glorified.

Much has been said about shepherd leadership. Some of it proves wonderful, edifying, and inspirational. Yet as is the case with many other things in life, even the best can be perverted. While there are many sincere authors doing justice to the cause of Jesus when writing on His leadership style, others are making assumptions while some leave you with the impression that they think Jesus learnt from David. Some that propagate shepherd leadership or shepherding probably do not even have a personal relationship with the Good Shepherd.

Because of the many writings on this topic [of which many differ from what the Holy Spirit taught me], I call the resultant product of my research True Shepherd Leadership©.

This is the first of a number of articles on the leadership style of Jesus Christ that I intend to publish, and I trust that they will be read, the content be pondered, and mostly, the insight be applied.

About the Author

Dr Gerrit van Vuuren [Ph.D.] is Principal of the Shepherd Leadership Institute. <a href="<a href="http://www.shepherdleader.co.za/">http://www.shepherdleader.co.za/">Visit Shepherd Leadership Institute!</a>

Dr Gerrit wrote a research doctoral thesis on the 'leadership style of Jesus Christ', and has a calling to teach the body of Christ to understand and apply Jesus' leadership style, which he calls True Shepherd Leadership ©. His e-books Being A True Shepherd Leader and Traits Of A True Shepherd Leader can be downloaded from his website

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