How to be a good role model is a key question for all church workers, teachers and parents. Some leaders merely project, “Do as I say, not as I do!” They think a different set of rules applies to them. But in 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul tells leaders, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
The starting place is a checkup from the neck up. Leaders need to examine our integrity, which is uprightness of character. It’s honesty. It’s lining up with God’s Word. For people with integrity, their word is their bond. They follow through because promises matter. Their actions reflect what they say they believe.
Perfection Isn’t Required (Thankfully)
To lead in ministry, you don’t need to be right all the time. (That’s a relief, because I flunked the perfection test long ago!) But you do need to give up the desire to have people think you’re always right. Admit it: You like that! We think it builds confidence in the troops when they see us make decisions and stick to our guns.
Except we aren’t always right. We’re wrong a lot. And people don’t admire leaders who are too proud or scared to admit they don’t know it all. When you’re willing to let others know the real you, then you have integrity. But if your leadership depends on people not knowing what you believe, then you’ll never be effective.
Jesus-Style Leadership
Jesus didn’t tell His disciples to believe in Him but to follow Him (Mark 2:14). The key to being His sheep is following Him. John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 12:26 says, “Whoever serves me must follow me.”
You may have heard me teach about the five duties of a shepherd from 1 Peter 5:2-4. In those verses, we see five main duties or descriptions. They are feeder, caregiver, overseer, willing servant, and example.
