12 characteristics of a healthy church leader

If we desire healthy church boards, we must ask: "What are the characteristics of an effective church leader?" The fact that 80% of churches are plateaued or in decline indicates this is an important issue. When I consult with troubled churches, it is not unusual to find that those in leadership are poorly equipped to lead. Consider some of the ways churches have traditionally filled leadership roles:

• We look for Godly individuals.
• People who have 'power' in the Church get the nod.
• We try to balance 'power blocks' in the Church by making sure the various blocks are represented on the board. This is one of the most destructive strategies, setting the board and the Church up for ongoing conflict. 
• There is an unofficial system that rotates critical leaders through the leadership spots.
• We choose those who have been in the Church a long time.
• Congregations simply nominate people; if they have the votes, they end up on the board regardless of gifting or qualifications.
• Leadership slots are filled even when there is a lack of qualified candidates. Priority is given to filling spaces rather than ensuring leadership is 'fit.'
• There is often no job description or list of competencies for prospective board members.

None of these methods is likely to result in a board of great effectiveness or impact. Nor are these methods likely to be 'leadership friendly' - motivating those with proper leadership skills to serve.

How we choose leaders and our understanding of good leadership goes to the heart of church health and ministry impact. Who you choose to lead will determine the effect on your congregation.

I would suggest that the New Testament implicitly or explicitly describes the kind of individuals whom we should place in church leadership.

Exhibits godly character and lifestyle
This is the most critical, non-negotiable characteristic of a church leader. We are called to lead on behalf of Jesus Christ, as shepherds accountable to the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Paul made it clear in First Timothy and Titus that, above all else, a leader's life must be in the process of being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Only those deeply committed to personal transformation and authenticity can lead others in that direction.

Has a deep passion for Jesus
The Church is about Jesus! He is its leader. We serve as leaders under Him. Thus, only those passionate about Him are qualified to lead His people. Those we lead will be influenced by whatever passions drive us. It is painfully apparent when church leaders are more interested in power, ego, or their own agendas than in leading Christ's people where He wants them to go. Remember, only some congregations rise above the spiritual level of their leaders.

Displays personal humility
Leadership in the Church differs in two significant respects from how it is practiced in other arenas. First, it is a leadership of service rather than power. As Peter wrote, "Overseers should be 'eager to serve: not lording it over those entrusted to you.'" Second, this leadership already has its agenda set by the Lord of the Church. Our agenda has been established, and our leadership priorities are Christ's, not ours. Without humility, people are unlikely to bow to the will of the majority and far more likely to push for their agenda rather than God's. 

Genuinely loves people
Ego-driven individuals love themselves, not others. Humble, godly individuals love others as Christ loves them, and their leadership is fueled by genuine spiritual concern. The driving characteristic of God's pursuit of us has been unexplainable, powerful, unrelenting love, bathed in mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and grace.

Is a lifelong learner
Leaders are learners. They are hungry to understand the leadership task. They are driven to lead well to become more effective. Nowhere is it more critical for leaders to be lifelong learners than in the context of the local Church. Healthy leaders are learners of God, effective ministry options and methods, and leadership. Once leaders give up learning as a high value, their effective leadership days are over. Learners are flexible and teachable. They are willing to change their methodology to meet their mission as long as it is healthy and Biblical.

Understands and agrees with God's leadership assignment
I often ask leadership boards if they can clearly articulate their responsibilities. Invariably, the answer is no, apart from generalities. I believe God has given leaders specific duties, and every leadership board should be able to define its responsibilities. Suppose you cannot explain those responsibilities to your board. In that case, you have a problem as it becomes every leader's opinion against another's rather than a shared understanding of God's leadership assignment.

Grapples with the future
To lead is to be out in front of others. Authentic leadership is primarily about the future and secondarily about the present. While this may seem obvious, most leadership boards spend most of their time dealing with present-day rather than future issues. Healthy leaders are always looking toward the future. You can lead the status quo, you can lead crisis, or you can lead into the future.

Focuses on the team
Warning: Never elect or appoint to leadership an individual who cannot graciously work in a team setting - and publicly and privately support the team's decisions. Leadership teams require team players. Those who cannot function as healthy team members will destroy the unity necessary for a leadership team to lead (remember humility). Mature, healthy leaders choose to subordinate their egos to the will of the group and deeply value the perspectives and input of others and the collective decisions of the board.

Leads willingly
Good leaders are willing leaders (remember 1 Peter 5). Willing leaders are ready to make the sacrifices necessary to lead without inner resentment and frustration. It is a mistake to coerce individuals to serve in leadership positions. When we push people to serve before they are mature enough to handle leadership difficulties (such as conflict), they often have experiences that cause them to avoid future leadership. In addition, unwilling leaders can often lead harshly without patience and grace. 

Positively influences others
Authentic leaders have influence over others, whether they are in leadership positions or not. This is the key: When considering individuals for leadership, ask the following questions: "Do they already have a positive influence over others? Do people look to them for leadership? Do they lead people closer to Christ and in positive ministry directions?"

Has an action bias
Leaders do things. They have a bias toward action and away from the status quo. They sometimes need help figuring out what to do, but they will try things and see what sticks and what works. Leaders are never content with things but dream of how they could be - continually looking for ways to accomplish their mission more effectively. Their focus is not on the status quo but on the future.

Is a purveyor of hope
Leaders are optimistic about the future and convey that optimism and hope to those they lead. They believe that positive things can and will happen because they understand that it is God who empowers and He who has promised to be with the Church until the end of the age. Pessimists are not leaders! Pessimists telegraph caution and see all the reasons why things cannot happen. Just read the epistles of the Apostle Paul. Always optimistic based on the power of God. Always expecting the power of God to prevail.

Rarely will a church rise above the personal, spiritual, and missional health of its leaders. Who you select is a key either to mediocrity or to health. No one has all these characteristics equally, but they are vital questions to ask about those you put into leadership.

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