The 4 Best Leadership Qualities and skills of a Humble Christian! (Updated)

What makes a good Christian leader?

What are the qualities of a great leader?

I think we can all agree that Jesus was and is the ultimate leader and the way that He showed Himself to be a leader was by humbling Himself to the place of a servant.

In 1 Peter chapter 5, Peter offers great advice and even the characteristics of good leaders in the church to both elders and young men; though these principles can be applied to both men and women alike.

In the first verse of chapter 5 Peter points out that he is a fellow elder and shares in the suffering of Christ with all of his brothers and sisters. I find it truly humbling that after all he had been a part of, participating in Christ's personal ministry as one of his closest disciples, that he still considered himself an equal and not a superior.

Just try putting yourself in Peter's shoes, imagine that you had been one of the first followers and true believers of Jesus Christ. Having it revealed to you that Jesus was indeed the true Son of God, the Messiah and not only did you get to witness miracles first hand but were also blessed with the power to do the same.

Simply put, you learned from the absolute best that has ever been or ever will be, from a perfect and sinless leader. Be honest with yourself, would you fall prey to pride and secretly consider yourself superior to those around you?

I'd love to say that I wouldn't and maybe after all the changes I've already gone through I could, but I'll never know for sure.

The 4 Best Christian Leadership Qualities

The following four qualities or characteristics of leadership are the same four things that Peter appealed to the elders of the church, but they can and should also be applied by younger Christians as well:

   1. Realize that you're caring for God's flock and not your own

   2. Lead with an eagerness to serve and not out of obligation

   3. Concern yourself with what you can give and not what you receive

   4. Lead by example and not by force

Have you ever noticed a barrier between the older generation and the younger?

This is usually brought about by pride, as well as stubbornness. The elderly do not waste their time trying to understand those who are much younger, they simply look down on them. Just as, let's say teenagers, don't listen to the wisdom of their elders or look up to them, they're simply considered senile.

Peter says that both young and old alike should humble themselves and serve one another. The younger crowd should show respect and follow the Christian leadership of the elders, who should lead by example and listen to what young ones have to say.

Another quality not listed above that is most important as a leader is humbling yourself before God.

Worrying about your position or status here on Earth, or seeking recognition is simply a waste of time. The only recognition that matters comes from God, if you live your life humbly obeying him, he will bless you in his own timing; whether that comes here on Earth or in heaven.

Here comes the juicy part!

This next verse really sticks out to me and just shows how much we really mean to God. Verse 7: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. Isn't that uplifting?

If you're ever hoping or wanting to be a true leader for God, you must place all of your trust, faith, and confidence in him. If you haven't given all of your "baggage" over to him, you have not yet fully trusted him with your whole life.

It takes a lot of humility to realize that the creator of the entire universe, someone so significant cares for someone like you, but he does and you must willingly admit you need him. You might be thinking that your burdens are yours to carry because of a few dumb decisions you've made, this isn't true, not by a long shot. God wouldn't have you submit to your failures, rather, he would have you submit to him!

Always, and I can't stress this enough, always be on alert and watching for attacks of the Devil, especially when you are vulnerable.

There have been numerous times in our lives that we have felt alone, betrayed, worthless, or depressed, it's at these times when we're in the most danger.

Peter refers to Satan as a Lion, which attack sick, young and straggling animals; strategically choosing its victims who are alone and unguarded. Stand strong in your faith against him, have faith in the fact that fellow Christians face the same trials day in and day out: you're not alone.

Never fall into the thinking that you're alone, for one you have God on your side, and you'll always have brothers and sisters in Christ to turn to.

The last thing I want to touch on before I bring this post to a close is suffering.

The greatest leader that the world has ever seen, Jesus Christ, began his life knowing full well that he would pay the ultimate price for us. Just as Jesus suffered for us, we will also suffer for him, mainly through persecution and the struggles of our daily lives.

Because many of us are blessed to live in a country that allows freedom of religion, we don't have to worry about being put to death for our faith. Others have not been so lucky, such as Peter, who was murdered for his faith and the way he lived his life.

Verse 11 points out that our suffering will not be forever, it's true that our suffering may last our entire lives or it may not, but when compared to all of eternity.. that time is nothing.

Just as Jesus before us ascended to Heaven to be with the Father, so too will his followers have eternal life and ascend into heaven where there is no suffering.

I'd like to thank each and everyone of you who have taken the time to read my first post, I know it was a long one, but hey, what's 5 minutes compared to eternity right?

If you would like to leave me any feedback or words of encouragement, feel free to do so below. If you would like to continue building your knowledge of God, please feel free to read Put Your Faith in God Not False Teachers!

God Bless!