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I regret allowing this book to get pushed aside for too long. I try to read
everything John R. W. Stott writes. His unusual ability to expound upon the
Scriptures, blending an understanding of the original and the contemporary, plus
knowing how to bring God’s Word to us in a fresh and applicable manner, makes
him one that embodies the very topic of this volume, Christian leadership.
One thing I appreciate about Stott is his balance, clarity, and his ability
to apply God’s Word. He believes that one of the problems among those who are
“Christian leaders” is that the world’s model seems to be favored at the expense
of biblical teaching. More often, Christian leaders have bought into the
“secular” models at the expense of not considering what the Scripture says about
leadership. Of course we can, by God’s common grace, learn many things from the
world, but not at the expense of ignoring his special revelation in the
Scriptures.
Basic Christian Leadership approaches the topic from the perspective
of the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians. As Stott points out early on, both
Christians and non-Christians share the concept of leadership but they do not
necessarily mean the same thing. In Corinth, a strategic city of Paul’s day, a
religious center, a trade center, and a manufacturing city, Paul both taught and
demonstrated the kind of leadership that we need today. The church itself was
fragmented, not so much by a diversity of doctrines or principles, but by
personalities. Some were saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow
Cephas,” and others “I follow Christ.”
In five chapters plus a conclusion, Stott opens up this epistle to us who are
living in a world that worships power and control in so many ways. He examines
the tendency and temptations to lead like the Gentiles do, lusting for power and
control. Christian leaders must have another focus and objective. For example:
Paul underscores the importance of humility in the life of a Christian leader.
Humility and power are antithetical. For the Christian, the antinomy is that
power comes through weakness. As he deals with both the message and the method
of communicating the truth, Stott underscores how that applies to leadership as
well
This statement summarizes what Stott believes to be Paul’s focus:
“The Christian leaders needed in the world and the church today are those who
have seen the Lamb on the throne and are determined to follow him wherever he
goes (Rev. 4:4); they know that God’s power will be exhibited not in displays of
power but in their weakness.”
Therefore he concludes our leadership must not be conditioned by the culture
but by Christ whom we represent and serve.
He ends with a great quote from the Scottish minister James Stalker who
talked about “falling in love with his congregation.” The reference was to the
difference loving his people made in his leadership. Stalker said, “loving my
people made it easy to do anything for my people.”
This would be a good study for a group of leaders in the church to bring into
focus the biblical essentials relating to leadership. Stott has produced another
valuable book for us that will be a blessing, especially if you are or are
contemplating a leadership role today.
- Charles Dunahoo, CEP Coordinator
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