Principles of Leadership based on Matthew 5:3-10

1. Leaders in Life

These famous words of Jesus quoted by Matthew are relevant to us at many levels. I have used them widely in their application to people who want to delve into their life issues and find healing. But they are also so very useful in examining the area of character.

If someone wants to excel in life, be a good example in their home, and provide good leadership in the community, then they will need to take very seriously what Jesus is saying here. When we are considering who would be good leaders in the church setting, then these verses most certainly provide very clear criteria.

Of course, there is no guarantee that such character attributes as these will advance someone in the workplace, or in politics, or even in friendships, because such attitudes as these can stand out in opposition to worldly norms or accepted behaviour patterns, therefore be strongly resisted; and actually tend to alienate us.

Yet these challenges are key to making the sort of difference Jesus came to make, and in turn calls us to make. This can be seen by the level of intimate connection with the purposes of the Kingdom of God that the second part of each verse states. As we live in agreement with these character traits, we confirm that we are members of God’s family on earth (with our eternal destiny in God), and will be in receipt of God’s continual concern and care as our life journey progresses.

Our neighbourhoods need to see these characteristics evident around them to offer them hope of a better future. Jesus goes on in the following verses to talk about the need for his followers to be “salt” and “light” in the world. The starting points for being conveyors of such ‘tastefulness’ and ‘brightness’, are proclaimed here at the beginning of Matthew 5.

This is about adding ‘good flavour’ and ‘hopeful perspective’ to our neighbourhood. If you like, these verses provide an alternative vision of interactive community. And so on the basis of this text, I will provide a list of principles of leadership, the ways of making a positive contribution, and serving a higher ideal. As one being ordained today (Sunday 11/10), and in a sense singled out, I have certainly been caused to think a lot about these matters.

We could track ourselves on a scale from one to ten on each of these; but if we do, we should be quick to remind ourselves that we are works in progress, and that the Holy Spirit is available to us to assist the internal and external changes we desire. There is of course not much about ability here in this Matthew passage, but rather a lot about availability and character.

2. Leadership Characteristics

(a) SHOWING HUMILITY

This means to be open to learn, and to be teachable. This is where a relationship with God is seen to be primary. This would include, rather than pretending to be what we’re not, actually admitting our absolute need of God, acknowledging that we have deficiencies, and seeking counselling and guidance in these areas. This might also include not being owned by material possessions, overwhelmed by ambition, or distracted by unnecessary complications, such that we tend to be deaf or resistant to God’s leading. There should be a preparedness to listen to others, and to really take on board what they think and say. This definitely also involves being accountable to others for the substance of one’s behaviour and for fulfilling one’s responsibilities.

(b) CARING

This is to consider that other people matter, that their feelings need to be acknowledged, and their needs should be catered for. This begins with thorough regret for how we may have hurt others, our seeking of forgiveness, and where possible making amends. Being a ‘caring’ person would include being prepared to allow others into our own pain. Being an encourager is important, along with being positive about people’s potential. Put downs are out! Also, taking opportunities of being practically supportive and offering hospitality reveals a caring person; seeing the burdens of another as one’s own burden, sometimes sacrificially serving others as Jesus sacrificially served us. As Paul wrote to the Romans, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (12:15).

(c) GENTLE

This means being sensitive to the dynamics around you, understanding that there are a broad range of feelings and opinions in any group of people. This would lead to tactful and careful responses to disagreement and conflict. A tendency toward cooperative planning takes over from self-reliance. A ‘gentle’ person grows to trust others and allows them to help. The “gentle” person is honest, and also one who is maturing towards a consistent and stable personality, one who has self-control [or maybe, God-control] where various impulses and the inevitable forks in the road are dwelt with more creatively than they used to be.

‘Meekness’ and ‘gentleness’ are not equivalent to ‘weakness’ or being passive; quite the opposite – there is strength of character and conviction revealed here. Whilst Jesus described himself as “gentle and humble in heart” (11:29), he cleared out of the temple all those (greedy business) types who were disrupting access to worshipping there (21:12-13).

(d) COMMITTED

This is someone who is not wishy-washy, nor half-hearted, but fully understands what they believe in and is strongly committed to this cause. They are not easily dissuaded or diverted, but they are thoroughly involved in meeting the challenges that present themselves. They proactively seek and respond to opportunities to press for their cause. A “hunger and thirst” for what is right, breaks through any contentedness with mediocrity towards a faithful commitment to any necessary change.

This reminds me of the story about the hen and the pig who together approached a church noticeboard and read the advertised sermon topic for the next Sunday: ‘What can we do to help the poor?’ Immediately the hen suggested they could feed them eggs and bacon. The pig thought about this for a moment, then said, “That’s all right for you to say – there is only one thing wrong with feeding bacon and eggs to the poor; for you (a hen) it requires only a contribution, for me (the pig) it requires total commitment”!

Yet such committed ones know that any success they have ultimately depends upon allowing God to work through them, and being prayerfully able to recognise how God is working ahead of them in various situations; indeed being alert and expectant concerning how God will answer their prayers. Again Jesus backed up this personally in the Garden of Gethsemane, when in the agony of knowing what lay ahead, he prayed to God, “not what I want but what you want” (26:39).

(e) COMPASSIONATE

This is about developing an understanding of and empathy for the difficult experiences and backgrounds people have; seeing others as fellow travellers. Showing a non-judgemental attitude to people suffering from a variety of addictions; reflecting a preference that they will get the help they need over any desire that they might disappear from view or have justice exacted upon them. This is about having a naturally occurring compassionate response to the existence of suffering. As difficult as this is, we should not easily close our eyes to the tragedies and disasters that befall other people, even when these are thousands of kilometres away.

(f) TUNED TO GOD

Here is a heart that first and foremost seeks after God, through being prayerful, a sincere and consistent worshipper, a regular searcher through the scriptures (for knowledge of God), and a full participant in church community. Through this intimacy with God, this person continually assesses whether their motives are pure and their priorities and goals are worthy, and thus steadily becomes a better and better decision-maker. This person deals with any bitterness they carry, so this does not negatively affect their behaviour toward others. As well, such a leader becomes tuned into God’s big picture, looking past personal agendas toward what is and what is not important, gaining real vision into God’s purposes (both local and global).

(g) PEACE ORIENTATED

This is someone who brings people together who would otherwise be estranged or separate from one another. This is a person who can harmonise a variety of views toward a unified way of moving forward. A “peacemaker” is a careful and good communicator. Here is someone who stands against the notion that attack or revenge can achieve anything. This is a person, who is like Jesus when on the cross, has the instinct to forgive well over and above any thought of getting even (refer Luke 23:34).

Yet, this is a person who will stand firmly for what is right in terms of justice and fairness. This is not about evading issues or wishing conflict would go away, but rather proactively taking the positive action that needs to be taken to break the negative and destructive cycle that would otherwise persist. This is also someone who works steadily on the quality of their own relationships, and seeks harmony with all of creation.

(h) COURAGEOUS

This means being willing to stand out in a crowd for what one believes, no matter where this might lead or what trouble it might bring. One would be deemed courageous where one’s strong Jesus following ethos was maintained in the face of equally strong counter views. This is about not bowing to certain cultural norms just because they’re prevalent and popular. John Stott wrote that, “Persecution is simply the [result of the] clash between two irreconcilable value systems”. Thus, a person who maintains the same life orientation no matter what group of people they’re with could be deemed courageous. Such a person is growing in their trust that God will provide for them.

3. Experiencing Blessing

Jesus refers to those with the character traits laid out here as “Blessed…” These will be those who are thoroughly fulfilled by their growth, usefulness and sense of God’s presence with them. They are in the position to experience distinctive spiritual joy and peace.

As mentioned earlier, as we live in agreement with the character traits and principles of leadership referred to here, we confirm to one and all that we are members of God’s family on earth, and participants in God’s Kingdom rule, and we will be in receipt of God’s continual concern and care as our life journey progresses.