The Leadership Lessons of Jesus Christ

The Leadership Lessons of Jesus Christ

When we talk about Jesus as a leader, we may imply two different forms: Jesus as the only Son of God, God of the universe, or the risen Christ as being one with God; or Jesus as the 1 st century flesh and blood human being, the historical figure. Since the purpose of studying leadership is to improve one's own leadership skills, it makes sense to analyze Jesus' applicable traits, actions, and accomplishments as a good leader—in his historical role—so his leadership skills can be feasibly related to ourselves as human beings. I will attempt to analyze, using modern leadership criteria, how Jesus of Nazareth, the Jew and carpenter's son, was an effective spiritual leader of his time.

Let us first examine the leadership attitude Jesus showed in his ministry. According to the address Thomas Cronin delivered at the Western Academy of Management in 1982, part of what makes leaders appealing is their confidence and faith:

Leaders have those indispensable qualities of contagious self-confidence, unwarranted optimism, and incurable idealism that allow them to attract and mobilize others to undertake tasks these people never dreamed they could undertake. (To Lead or Not to Lead, Unit One 36)

Jesus had infectious self-confidence that attracted all types of people to his cause. A teacher of the law said to Jesus, “Teacher, I will follow your wherever you go” (Matt. 8:19). He was also an optimist: Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33). He was an idealist; his mission commanded his followers to be spiritually perfect (Matt. 5:48). Although Jesus' ethical standard was incredibly high, his faith in God was...

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...human characteristics. But his weakness contributed to his character as a man. Essentially, Jesus' leadership abilities were perfect for his time.

Works Cited

Borg, Marcus J. Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1994.

Borg, Marcus J., and N.T. Wright. The Meaning of Jesus. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 2000.

To Lead or Not to Lead, Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies. Jackson, MS: Phi Theta Kappa, Inc., 2001.

Porter, J.R. Jesus Christ: The Jesus of History, the Christ of Faith. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Schure, Edouard. Jesus: The Last Great Initiate. Kila, MT: Kessinger Publishing Company, 1995.

Stafford, Tim and Philip Yancey. The Student Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.

Yancey, Philip. The Jesus I Never Knew. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.