Affirming the Value of Leadership

Leadership is a given dimension of our lives, whether in government, family, church, sports, work, or multiple other contexts. We all have opinions on what makes for good leadership and decide which leaders to follow or not follow, including who we vote for, who we work for, who we cheer for, and who we worship with.

Followers of Jesus recognize that the qualities of leadership we are to emulate are rooted in the One who created us, who, by His will, delegates those who will lead in a way consistent with His character and purpose.

One especially informative passage of Scripture describes leadership that reflects the very “DNA” of Jesus’s character qualities. In 1 Timothy 4:6-16, Paul, the elder leader, provides Timothy, the apprentice, key points related to his example and leadership that will allow him to be “a good minister of Christ Jesus.”

“If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed” (v. 6). Ponder with me the lives of those who are faithful, who leave a legacy that honours Jesus. What qualities mark their lives?

A good servant of Jesus has a life that is trained to be godly. Paul clearly states the value of godliness when he says, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (v. 7, 8).

Christlike character is the foundation of being a good servant of Jesus; it is the greatest source of influence we have. Decade by decade, this will never change. It is the first qualifying lens by which we evaluate all leaders in church, family and society.

A good servant of Jesus lives a life of diligence and effort that exhibits hope in the living God. “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe” (v. 9, 10).

Are you hopeful about Jesus’s church in Canada? We have challenges galore, and yet the evidence of God at work is clear. Kingdom leaders value hope and model it in their speech and actions. Those who impact the church and culture, especially the next generations, are hope-filled. They see God at work and co-operate with all that He is doing.

A good servant of Jesus lives a life that sets an example in speech, life, love, faith and purity. “Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (v. 11, 12).

A life that sets an example is the result of godly character and a constant trust in God. Note that the focus of being a good servant leader is not primarily on gifts and abilities. Paul continues to emphasize that Timothy, as a younger leader, must ensure his inner person is aligned with that of Jesus, with multiple evidences of that within his life.

A good servant of Jesus has a life rooted in the Scriptures, with the Scriptures evident in their preaching and teaching. “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (v. 13).

The source of being a good servant of Jesus, as noted by Paul at the beginning of this passage, is to be “nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed” (v. 6). Teachability is essential if one is to grow into becoming “the teacher.”

A good servant of Jesus has a life that is lived confidently out of one’s calling and giftings and does not neglect or get sidetracked from pursuing the Spirit’s calling. “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you” (v. 14).

Many in the church today wrestle to be confident in their callings and hold back from being all that Jesus calls them to be. Desperately needed are examples of mature leaders, women and men, at every age level and in every leadership context who are confidently living out their calling with the gifts God has given them.

Consider Paul’s final passionate instruction in verses 15 and 16 on how to leave a legacy of being a good servant of Jesus:
- Be diligent
- Give yourself wholly
- Watch your life
- Watch your doctrine
- Persevere

Why? Because by doing so, “you will save both yourself and your hearers” (v. 16). Whatever our calling, we receive this fresh commission to be good ministers of Christ Jesus. We know it is possible through what Jesus has done for us and in us, and by the Spirit empowering us. On the final day, may we all hear His affirming voice say, “Well done, good servant.” Amen!

This article was written by David Wells, the general superintendent of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. This article appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of testimony/Enrich, a quarterly publication of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. © 2025 The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Visit www.testimonyenrich.ca.