Should There Be a Pastor of Leadership?

Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently (NIV)... 1 Cor 12:28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues (ESV).

Titles, titles, titles. We have the senior pastor, the senior teaching pastor, the associate pastor, pastor of administration, the pastor of worship, the director of worship, the director of small groups, the pastor of small groups, the director of adult education, the pastor of .... On and on it goes. Where is the pastor of leadership? Not sure we should go there? Well this is now a blog, so don't feel like you have a muzzle on. To go there, though, we need a bit of review.

Today, the word leadership is used in so many ways that it can get confusing. To clarify this concept of leadership, let us review how and why we use the word and what we think of when we hear it. We talk about our “country’s leadership,” our “business’s leadership,” and our “church’s leadership.” In almost every case, the word is used to describe the authority of a certain entity. In the examples above, the word “leadership” simply communicates the plural form of an occupational or volunteer position—it means a group of “more than one leader.”

A Leader is a Person, Not a Position

However, the Bible’s definition of leadership is quite different. In Romans 12:8, when the Bible declares leadership a spiritual gift, it would seem clear to most that Paul is not referring to the gift of “more than one leader”! Within the context of this scripture it appears that when he writes, “If it is leadership, then let him govern diligently” (NIV), it would naturally refer to the relationship between two groups of people: those who govern and those who are being governed. The first word of this sentence, “if,” is not asking whether or not a person has a position of leadership. It seems to be asking whether or not a person actually has leadership ability and the spiritual gift of leadership.

Thus, if leadership is a gift found in the relationship between the leader and the one who follows then it would also follow that the gift looks just like this definition by Dr. James Bultman: “Leadership is the art and science of inspiring others to reach their full potential in the pursuit of a common vision.” Since I believe in the accuracy of this definition, I have shaped this definition to the mission of TCL, and the results are posted on the home page of my web site. I have shaped it a bit more by narrowing the vision to a kingdom vision.

"Spiritual leading and governing is the ability to inspire others to reach their full potential in the pursuit of a Kingdom vision."

Either definition emphasizes the fact that that leadership is all about the follower. In a leadership relationship, the followers are the primary recipients of what flows from the leader, not the other way around! “Inspiration” flows into the followers; “full potential” is achieved by the followers! The vision, however, that must be the equalizer—the “common factor.” Show me a leader good at leadership, and I will show you a leader who either has great vision that embraced by his/her followers, or one who pursues with delight the vision of others.

The Differences Between Leadership & Administration

To me I believe there is often a misunderstanding within the realm of administration. In Ist Corinthians 12:28 administration is also identified in the Bible as a distinct spiritual gift. Just like in the "body of the church" the two roles are equally important. It would seem to me the best way to help distinguish the difference between leadership and administration is in the function. In the simplest terms, administration is task-oriented and leadership is people-oriented. There are occasions where a single person has both leadership and administrative gifts, but more often this is not the case.

In the simplest terms, administration is task-oriented and leadership is people-oriented.

How does one organize the structure of authority while keeping in mind the "governing" implications are reserved, as instructed in our passage above, for those with leadership gifts? And how does one reconcile this with the fact that God seems to be implying that he appointed the apostolic teachers of the church first and instructed us later in that same passage to "desire the greater gifts"?


I believe a strong case could be made that the "greater" gifts have more to do with what gift would impact a person's salvation than they have to do with apostolic governing or pastoral leadership in and over all things. I know I would trade leadership authority for a stronger teaching gift any day. Since the eternal impact of teaching is far more important, this is what I believe is being emphasized by the instruction to "desire the greater gifts". I have been told that I have both leadership and teaching gifts. However, for me there is just no comparison between the blessings. Teaching is far more rewarding. I think others would agree.

Administration is task-oriented, while leadership is
people-oriented

In addition, desiring a greater gift because it contains more authority would seem to be contradictory alongside other teachings concerning acquiring a servant's heart. That would also strengthen my case that greater gifts are not speaking of "governing authority".

Staying Faithful to the Text

So it would seem to me that to be faithful to both of the texts, the church organizational structure could be divided into two decision making flow charts. The first could be limited to spiritual teaching and support systems. In this model the lead pastor, who of course is the leader of teaching, would take the lead regarding the doctrine of the church, the hiring of teachers, and all aspects of shepherding.

Might I suggest that a second person of equal authority be a person with a leadership gift (Lead Leader), who could take the lead in the day to day decisions implementing the vision and direction of the church, and all business functions of the church. This would stay faithful to the text of the governing aspect over "people things." Both the lead pastor and lead leader would be subject to the ruling body of the church. Church administrators would then be servants to the lead pastor and lead leader, ready to shine in performing the tasks that need to be accomplished for each leader.

I believe that this model could have more potential for the spiritual growth of the congregation and the spread of the gospel. It could accomplish this simply because the pastors would focus on what God has called them to do, and that is preaching, teaching, shepherding, and spreading the gospel. Let the vision also grow the church by a leader whose job it is to inspire the troops, treating and governing over them fairly on a daily basis.


I could see where those that know me might sense that I am interpreting scripture toward my own gifts. I cannot stop people from saying or thinking that. However, let me assure you it is not the case. Every time I have asked pastors to identify the percentage of pastors who have a leadership gift, they ALL say less than 10%. I have asked this question dozens of times and I always get close to the same answer. Does it not seem strange that as they say this most of them also claim that leadership development is their number one problem?

Those that claim that leadership is their number one problem also have difficulty allowing those that can lead well, actually lead. In most cases is not because they don't want the help. Many times it is simply because trained pastors do not think that others who could lead are "spiritual enough". While I would be the first to admit that spiritual maturity is required to govern in the church, many of those spiritually qualified will never pass the pastor's "spiritual" tests. These "test" are not only spiritual, they also can be "educational".

All this to say that I think it is worth considering a new form of decision making authority within the church. I would suggest that if implemented, it might not be long that leadership would no longer be the number one problem. Would or could this be the right vision for the bride of Christ ? Would pastors spending more time on their messages and helping people spiritually grow be just what we need to speed up the spread of the gospel?

I think it might be worth the risk of discussion.