The Existing Concept of Leadership in the African Church

Question

Leadership Concept in The Old TestamentIt can be observed from the Old Testament that all the leaders that God used were personally called to their respective offices. In addition, each one of them was given their specific ministry at the point they were chosen. This was probably an indication that God wanted them to focus on service rather than their positions. For example, in Exodus 3:1-10, when God called Moses, He gave him clear instruction as to what He wanted him to do. In verse 10, He says "... I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt". When Moses left Median for Egypt, his focus was never on his new position, but rather on the task he had to perform. Another example is that of Nehemiah. In his book, "Excellence in Leadership", John White made the following statement: "Thus the book of Nehemiah serves primarily to unfold for us part of God's on-going plan for His people. But always it is the man, his character and his leadership that holds my interest. I present these reflections with the hope that they will help Christians young and old who face leadership responsibilities".4 John White was not concerned about Nehemiah's post as governor, but rather on what he did. From the first chapter of the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah had been concerned with serving and he never strayed from that focus throughout the account. Whenever leader adopts this concept of leadership, for example, in the case of Nehemiah the leader is able to accomplish his goal.

The Secular Concept of LeadershipAs the name implies, the secular concept of leadership is generally used in non-religious organizations and institutions. The Bible makes reference to this concept of leadership and a number of authors who have discussed it, point out its advantages and disadvantages. The secular concepts of leadership will therefore be discussed from the biblical and secular point of view.A. Biblical Perspective of The Secular Leadership ConceptIn Matthew 20:25 Jesus said, "you know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them. And their high official exercise authority over them. Not so with you. In this portion of scripture, Jesus was making a contrast between the secular concept of leadership and that of the Biblical. The immediate context of the text mentioned above gives one a better picture of the secular concept of leadership from the biblical perspective. The mother of James and John (the sons of Zebedee) was asking Jesus for specific high positions for her sons in the kingdom of God. In secular leadership, the focus is on position and control. The higher the position a person finds himself, the greater the control and authority he has. Also Jesus showed through contrast that this kind of leadership does not focus on serving, but to be served.There are also scriptural accounts in the Old Testament that portray the differences between secular and Biblical concepts of leadership. In I Samuel 8:4-6, the Israelites asked the Prophet Samuel to give them a king to rule over them and Samuel was displeased by the request. According to Deuteronomy 17:14-20, God had plans for the nation to have a king, but that king must be distinguished from those of the Gentiles.