Biblical vs Secular Leadership
- Rockwell Funtal
- Mar 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Hello,
Some people would assume that those who lead great organizations manage with pride. Those who have a smaller business, Christ-emphasized, may be leading well. There are some facts and some lies to these thoughts. Throughout this week’s reading, the strategy has not been to grow the next Chick-fil-A but to focus on servant leadership. From this point, it is essential to understand the differences between biblical and secular leadership. For instance, a secular leader might focus more on personal gain and recognition, while a biblical leader might prioritize serving others and making decisions that align with their faith. Biblical leadership contrasts with secular leadership through the person of identity and heir of success.
The first point is that biblical leadership contrasts secular leadership through the person of identity. Understanding that all leaders are different in character and context is essential. A significant difference between biblical and secular leadership is the attribute of motive, which impacts a person’s character.[1] This begs the question of whether someone may glorify himself when he is promoted or glorify Jesus, build his success with pride, or seek humility as the Lord exalts him (1 Pet. 5:6). Secular leadership is focused on managing the organization and gaining personal recognition. The biblical leader’s identity is in Christ, making counter-cultural decisions, even at the expense of personal gain. This is one essential difference when comparing biblical and secular leadership. The next area dives into dealing with significant results.
The second point is that biblical leadership contrasts secular leadership through the 'heir of success. ' This term refers to how leaders view and pursue success. For a secular leader, success might be measured by personal achievements and power, such as climbing the corporate ladder. In contrast, a biblical leader might view success as using their gifts to benefit others rather than themselves.[2] Whereas success is using an individual’s gifts to benefit others rather than himself.[3] This is defined as servant leadership, a selfless approach that inspires and motivates by focusing on serving others with humility rather than on gaining status or recognition. It's a leadership style that can truly inspire and motivate others.[4] My journey in ministry has taught me that tangible results do not always measure success. Despite not achieving great success in ministerial outcomes, I am still in college. However, serving others in leadership through peer-to-peer conversations has taught me the importance of servanthood to others. These essential lessons underline the unique nature of these two leadership models and keep me engaged and interested in my personal growth. It's a journey that keeps me engaged and interested in my personal growth, and I hope it does the same for you.
In conclusion, biblical leadership contrasts secular leadership through the person of identity and heir of success. The call to action is clear: let us all strive to pursue biblical leadership with humility, understanding its unique attributes. This pursuit will empower us to lead with a servant's heart. I hope this call to action empowers and motivates you in your leadership journey. Have a great day!
God bless,
Rockwell
Bibliography
Dempsey, Rod, Dave Earley, and Adam McClendon. The Three-Dimensional Leader: A Biblical, Spiritual & Practical Guide to Christian Leadership. Bellingham, WA: Kirkdale Press, 2023.
Malphurs, Aubrey. Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003.
[1] Aubrey Malphurs, Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003), 19.
[2] Rod Dempsey, Dave Earley, and Adam McClendon, The Three-Dimensional Leader: A Biblical, Spiritual & Practical Guide to Christian Leadership (Bellingham, WA: Kirkdale Press, 2023), 11.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Aubrey Malphurs, Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003), 36.