A gift of the Spirit

The Gift of Leadership

The gifts of Romans 12 · Romans 12:8

The gift of leadership is a Spirit given ability to guide and organize God's people toward faithful action, exercised, Paul says, with diligence. In the kingdom of Christ, leadership is servant leadership, given for the good of the whole body, that the church may be well ordered and move together in obedience to its Lord.

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.Romans 12:8 (KJV)

What the gift is

Paul writes, he that ruleth, with diligence. The word means to stand before, to lead, to manage or take the lead. It describes the God given ability to guide people and provide direction, to bring order out of confusion, and to help a group of believers move together toward a good end. Paul pairs it with diligence, for leadership is a work, requiring care, effort, and perseverance, not a title to be enjoyed.

In the kingdom of God, leadership is never lordship. Jesus was explicit: the rulers of the nations exercise lordship over them, but it shall not be so among you; whoever would be great must be servant of all, for the Son of man came not to be served but to serve. So the gift of leadership in the church is servant leadership, using authority to serve, to protect, and to build up, after the pattern of the Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

How it appears in the New Testament

The church needed leaders from the beginning. The apostles led the young church; elders were appointed in every city to shepherd the flock; and Paul tells us to know those who labor among us and are over us in the Lord, and to esteem them highly in love for their work's sake. He teaches that elders who rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and doctrine.

Peter charges the elders to feed the flock of God, taking the oversight not by constraint but willingly, not as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And Paul lists among the qualifications of an overseer that he must rule well his own house, for how shall he take care of the church of God? Everywhere leadership in the New Testament is measured by character and service, not by ambition or power.

How it builds up the body of Christ

A body without leadership drifts. This gift brings order, direction, and momentum, so that the church can act together, care for its members, and carry out its mission. Good leaders guard the flock from wolves, resolve conflict, organize the work of ministry, and keep the whole body moving toward Christ. Paul insists that all things be done decently and in order, and leadership serves that peace.

Because it carries authority, this gift is also the most easily abused, and Scripture warns constantly against leaders who lord it over people or serve themselves. Exercised with diligence and humility, leadership is a great blessing to the church; grasped for power, it becomes a great danger. The true leader leads by example and points the flock always to the Chief Shepherd.

How to recognize and use it

Those with this gift see what needs to happen, can organize people and resources toward it, and are trusted by others to give direction. If that is you, lead with diligence and with the towel and basin of Christ. Serve those you lead, guard them, seek their good above your own, and never use your influence to build yourself up. Lead by example, for people follow what they see.

Honor those who lead you well, and pray for them, for the weight of oversight is heavy and they watch for your souls. And whether you lead or follow, remember that the church has one Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, and all authority in it is His, held in trust and used in love.

How this gift points to Christ

Christian leadership takes its whole shape from Christ, the good Shepherd who leads not by driving but by going before, and who laid down His life for the sheep. He turned the world's idea of greatness upside down: whoever would be chief must be servant of all, for the Son of man came to serve. So the true leader leads with a towel in hand, using every scrap of authority to protect and build up the flock, and pointing always to the one Head of the church. He leads as one who follows, keeping the people's eyes not on himself but on the Chief Shepherd, to whom he will gladly give account.

The more excellent way

Whatever place the gift of Leadership holds, Paul sets one thing above every gift. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, he says, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal; and though I have all knowledge, and all faith, and have not charity, I am nothing. The gifts will one day pass away, but now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; and the greatest of these is charity.

So this gift, like all the rest, is given by one Spirit for the common good, to build up the one body of Christ, and it is nothing at all apart from love. The gifts are not for our standing but for our serving, and they all belong to Him whose body the church is. Use whatever you have been given to love one another, and to point every eye to Jesus, from whom every good gift comes and to whom every gift returns its praise.

The Giver calls you

Every gift of the Spirit comes from the risen Christ and points back to Him. The same Lord who pours out gifts on His church calls you by name to know Him, to be filled with His Spirit, and to take your place in His body. Read the Word, pray, and gather with the family of God on The Living Bread. Free, with no ads, for all people.

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Questions people ask

What is the spiritual gift of leadership?

It is a Spirit given ability to guide and organize God's people toward faithful action, exercised with diligence (Romans 12:8). In Christ's kingdom it is always servant leadership, using authority to serve and build up the body, never to dominate.

How is Christian leadership different from worldly leadership?

Jesus said it shall not be like the rulers of the nations who lord it over people. In His kingdom the greatest is the servant of all. Christian leaders lead by example, seek the good of those they serve, and point the flock to the Chief Shepherd.

What does it mean to rule with diligence?

Leadership is a work, not merely a title. To rule with diligence is to lead with care, effort, and perseverance, watching over the flock faithfully and giving oneself to the good ordering of the church for its blessing.