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Following Jesus as a Model for Leadership

Following Jesus as a Model for Leadership

Last updated on: March 1, 2025 at 7:09 pm by Lauren James

Following Jesus as a Model for Leadership 2025-03-01T19:09:18-05:00 Lauren James

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Jesus as the Model for Our Formation & Leadership

There are many definitions of leadership. Yet, for those committed to glorifying God and leading others to Him, our leadership ultimately rests on our journey to becoming more like Christ and following Jesus’ model of leadership.

My understanding of leadership comes from John 10:10. “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy… but I have come to offer life, and life abundantly.”

In this passage of John, Jesus is in the middle of a conversation with the leaders of his time. They had just finished scoffing at him and questioning him for his decision to heal on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a holy day – intended for rest. Surely this man’s healing could have waited one day.

But Jesus says, “I have come to offer life and life abundantly.” This is the picture of leadership.

In the face of a world and culture that tries everything to point us only to what will stunt our faith, true leadership looks like following the good shepherd in order to lead others to this good shepherd. As we follow Jesus, we begin to be spiritually formed. We are shaped and molded into the image of Christ.

True leadership looks like repentance, humility, service, and self-awareness. I’ve gotten it wrong many times in the past, but over the years, I figured out that the best way to be able to lead in any season, in any stage, with rest, deep delight, and power, is simply to follow the model of Jesus. Leading from a place of abundant life, or the everyday shalom of God.

30 Years in the Making: The Holiness of Maturing

In a world that pressures us to have it all together, growth can often be accompanied by shame. That shame almost snatched me out of the good plans God had for me… and for those around me. But, as the master Creator, God designed growth to be a process of beauty and holiness.

Think about a child; as I watch my son grow, my response is awe and reverence toward God. Witnessing his growth, learning, and discovery fills me with joy. Just as I wouldn’t expect him to walk as a newborn, I cherish every milestone of his growth. It is an honor and privilege to witness his development.

When Jesus was a child, His family discovered he was missing during a trip. They had packed up and were well on their way when they realized He was nowhere to be found. All the while, He was in a temple tending to His Father’s business. He could have been taken out by shame upon realizing His parents were worried sick. But the scriptures say when He was found, His mother treasured these things in her heart.

For thirty years, Jesus’ family was a witness to His behind-the-scenes ministry: being faithfully submitted to His parents and submitted to the teaching in the temple as He grew in the wisdom and favor of God and favor of man. Jesus could have come to Earth fully grown without the burden of needing to be parented. Yet, witnessing His growth was something to be treasured. There is holiness and great value in naturally maturing.

In the thirty years preceding His public ministry, Jesus laid a foundation that would sustain His transformative work. During this time, He experienced the Father’s profound affirmation, crafted a resilient strategy to face temptation, embraced the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, and found saftety within community. If these elements were crucial for Jesus, how much more so for us? As we navigate our lives and leadership journeys, we must follow Jesus’ example. By doing so, we not only mirror Jesus’ path but also equip ourselves to lead others to Him.

Jesus received the Father’s Affirmation

Matthew 4 marks a significant transition in Jesus’ life. A

After thirty years of faithful service to His family and community, Jesus publicly enters ministry, receives baptism, and hears affirmation from the Father as the heavens open and declare:

“This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Immediately after Jesus was blessed and affirmed, He goes to the desert to fast. After such a significant moment of affirmation, He willingly removes himself from all outside affirmation and comfort. This is the place where the enemy starts to attack, by testing His obedience and belief in the word of God.

Jesus has a need. He is hungry. The enemy comes and tells him to turn stone into bread, stating:

“if you really are the son of God, you surely could do it.”

He further taunts Him saying:

“if you are the Son of God, throw yourself down because the word says angels will protect you.”

“if you worship me, and believe in me instead of the Lord, I will give you everything you want and need.”

“I Have NO Need of You”

If Jesus had obeyed the enemy’s temptations, He would have fulfilled a need and rightfully defended His title. Instead, he declares I have no need of you Satan. My need will not be fulfilled by tangible things alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.

This resolve wasn’t merely obedience; it was the fruit of thirty years of unwavering devotion and tested wisdom. Jesus’ willingness to engage in the slow process of maturation enabled Him to resist the most bitter temptations.

Jesus Did Not Place any Voice over The Father’s

As leaders, we will always be aware of the voices that say:

“If you were a real leader, you would do this.”

“You want my respect? Then do this”

“You need an endorsement and I need you to prove yourself”

If we aren’t careful, we will let the voices become louder than our Father’s and ultimately become our compass and our God. But in the moments of our mundane maturing, and in the moments of our public ministry, we need to rest on the affirmation of the Father that says “This is MY beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

For those who have hearts after God, He is pleased with you regardless of anything you could do or produce.

Jesus Had the Help of the Spirit

Jesus said, “I have gone so that one greater than I may come.” We need the gift of the Holy Spirit—our God with us, our ever-present guide. The Spirit convicts, encourages, and guards us. It is the gift of the Spirit that produces the fruit of the Spirit. We cannot be formed into the image of God, nor can we lead, without the work of the Spirit.

Jesus Had the Safety of Community

Outside of the Word, community is often the very means by which we see the example of Christ, hear echoes of the Father, and discern the work of the Spirit in our lives. It’s scary and risky to give yourself to community, but God planned to build a church out of messy, flawed humans. Think about the disciples. They were rough around the edges but they followed Jesus, got to know the Father, received the Spirit, and didn’t shy away from growth and development. From their testimonies, the early church was built and grew over generations.

You Have A Call to Lead

These components of spiritual formation are also the components of leadership. I especially want to speak to the women and say this is a call for you too. If you follow Jesus, it’s especially for you. For those who might say women aren’t or can’t be leaders, I ask: Are women called to be disciples? Are women called to know God and be known by Him? Are women called to fill the earth with disciples? Are women called to multiply? Then women are called, are required, and have a mandate to lead.

In this journey of spiritual formation, remember: our ultimate affirmation comes from the Father, who declares, “This is MY beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” As we lead and grow, let us rest in His approval and guidance.

New here? If you’re craving a sacred space to slow down, listen deeply, and discern God’s presence in your everyday life, I’d love to journey with you. Ordinary Faith is where we explore what it means to walk in step with God—living and leading from a place of rest, delight, and deep trust.

If you’re looking for one-on-one spiritual companionship, I also offer spiritual direction, a practice of sacred listening where you can process your faith journey with guidance and grace. Let’s press in together—so you can recognize, reflect on, and respond to God’s movement in your life.

✨ Learn More About Ordinary Faith
✨ Learn More About Spiritual Direction
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About Lauren James

Everyday Shalom is a blog by Lauren James, spiritual director, writer, and founder of Ordinary Faith. A wife and mama who has worn many hats—from chef and entrepreneur to seminarian and ministry leader—Lauren is passionate about bridging the sacred and secular, helping the church experience the shalom of God in everyday life. Through her blog, she is on a mission to equip women to lead others to life from a place of rest, with power and deep delight, through every season and stage. She is especially passionate about serving Christian women who lead as ministry—whether at home, in their communities, in the marketplace, on platforms, or in pews—by providing practical, hands-on leadership training and soul care through spiritual direction and coaching. You can read more about the author here.

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