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What it Means to be a Leader, Not a CEO in God’s House

What it Means to be a Leader, Not a CEO in God’s House

Last updated on: July 21, 2026 at 8:51 pm by Sabina Tagore Immanuel

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What it Means to be a Leader, Not a CEO in God’s House 2026-07-21T20:51:48+05:30 Sabina Tagore Immanuel

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Church Gathering | Pexels

The Disease plaguing us

More often than not the church of today has adopted the norm of this present age. It has focused on adaptability to the culture of society at large. In the name of being relevant to the world around in order to create impact, it has lost out on the Biblical patterns. Nowhere is this so obvious and so blatant as in the way leadership is viewed in church today. The Bible doesn’t talk much about leadership per se but what it means to be a leader.

The church is the Body of Christ, His Bride, and the dwelling place of God. God dwelt on the heavens, then in the garden, pervaded the tabernacle and temple with His presence. His final residence was in Christ Who was the express image of His Person.

If this so, then those leading and governing the church need to follow the pattern in the Word of God, and not the world. The basic thing to note is that the Bible doesn’t talk much about leadership. Rather it explains what it means to be a leader. Leadership, is a concept of the world. It is built around that of a CEO in a corporate or business or digital world. The biblical idea of a leader relates more to his or her character and characteristics.

A leader is someone who envisions a better future, inspires and aligns people toward a common goal. He or she empowers others to achieve this sane target. Leadership is the process of influencing and motivating those around. It is enabling others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of a shared goal or vision. Thus, we see that the term leader denotes a person, while leadership points to a trait or an attribute.

Old Testament | Pexels

The Diagnosis from the OT

Let us now define from the Word of God what God expects in and of a leader. We begin by taking our cues from different stalwarts from the Old Testament.

God chose Abraham very specifically and testified of him in Genesis 18:17-19: Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.

First, Abraham followed God and led his people to follow along with him. So, a leader is one who leads by example and not by instruction alone. This is because he cannot lead his people beyond where he has gone.

Second, Abraham chose to step back from conflict with his brother (with Lot) to maintain their brotherhood. He gave him the first choice in dividing the land, even though Abraham was the one who was called of God and promised the land! A leader’s security is so much in his or her God that he doesn’t mind laying down his rights. He forgoes what is profitable to him, and willingly lets go of even what is his or hers by right! He knows God is not confined or constrained in any way. So, trusts Him fully, looking to Him for compensation!

Third, Abraham went out of the way to rescue Lot and his family from invaders, not bearing any grudge against Lot. He continued to bear the cost of the relationship. He delivered him from those who oppressed him. Moses did the same, standing in the gap for the people of Israel. He even denied his own promotion for the sake of others. Thus, leaders lay down their own lives, die to self, and serve at the cost of their own promotion or reward.

Fourth, Moses was faithful in being a Shepherd over the people of Israel. Even though Moses was trained in all the arts of Egypt and had been the commander-in-chief of its armies, he did not behave as such. He was patient with them, and stood in the gap for them even when they rose against him. Thus, the biblical idea of a leader is to be a good shepherd, ready to lay down his life for his sheep.

Fifth, David was a man after God’s own heart for many reasons. Yet, the primary one is that he never did anything without first asking God. He always went to God to know what to do when he faced different challenges and troubles. Even when he could handle a situation on his own, he sought His will and ways in that situation. Thus, being sensitive to God’s leading and guidance, always seeking His approval, is a natural trait of a leader. Dependence on God in every area of life and in all decision-making is the hallmark of those chosen by Him to lead His people.

New Testament | Pexels

The NT Prescription

Those set apart as overseers and elders over the church were distinguished by being full of power and the Spirit (exhibiting gifts and fruit of the Spirit). Leaders were marked by wisdom (Acts 6), rooted and grounded in sound doctrine. They held on to the faith and good conscience (I Tim 1).

Leaders exhibited parental care for those under their authority. They did not lord it over them ( I Thess 2). Leaders were taught to be humble examples, in word, deed, and life. They were guarded against being domineering or arrogant (I Peter 5).

Leaders understood that they had been entrusted with the task of passing on the belief and teaching to the next generation. They watched over the flock willingly and not out of compulsion. Eagerly they sought to serve, not pursuing dishonest gain.

Those who were designated as leaders were conspicuous for having stable families, clean hands, and the ability to convince others of the gospel. They were not quarrelsome or violent, but had a good reputation in the community.

They were to preach the word, constant in prayer, instant in season and out of season. Leaders corrected, rebuked and encouraged others with great patience and careful instruction.

Thus, leaders ought to be distinguished by wisdom, power, maturity, sound doctrine, and exemplary life (righteous and faithful).

Church leaders | Pexels

The Remedy

Leadership is a function of maturity in word and deed, of being sound in the teaching, established in the word, walking in the Spirit, able to sense God and knowing the ways of God.

Leaders must have the ability and acumen to make wise choices grounded in the principles of the Word. People of integrity and full-grown, they shouldn’t be infants who become victims to the vagaries of the world around.

The pattern in God’s Word is that leaders groom and raise leaders, rather than those who seem to exhibit the trait and talent of leadership.

Being a leader is a choice and a calling, and not a posting or position to be attained!

Shepherd | Pexels

The Cure

Today, God is building the church, made of people of all tribes, languages, and cultures, to be where He will live by His Spirit.

Let us influence and impact the world around us with biblical principles, and not busy importing world culture and norms into the church.

God’s idea of a leader is that of a shepherd who willingly lays down his life for his flock. We see this throughout the Bible, from beginning to end. The attributes and character of a Shepherd are seen in Psalm 23. They’re perfectly demonstrated and modeled by Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd of our souls.

May we therefore take our cues from the Word of God as we seek to build His Church to be His dwelling place.

May those we assign to govern it be those who fulfill the scriptural mandates and follow in His footsteps!

A good follow-up read: The best style of leadership- the parenting paradigm*

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About Sabina Tagore Immanuel

An avid reader and an erudite writer, Sabina Tagore Immanuel is known for not just information and knowledge, but for wisdom on issues of life.

A follower and disciple of Christ by persuasion, she promotes a firm Bible-based philosophy, propagates gospel ethics and is a practitioner of the way of Christ and the Apostlre. A scholar by intent and purpose, she uniquely combines her faith with insight to give practical counsel to life problems and issues.

A content writer, counselor and teacher by profession, she has worked and served in university, school and church. Her rich experience and her propensity to weigh pros and cons of life helps her arrive at out-of-thebox solutions.

An author and blogger, she has published a book on prayer and several articles in magazines and websites. She is married to A.Immanuel, a lawyer and career advisor. Together they have three grown-up children and a son-in-law. Her children also exhibit their faith, her writing skills and his oratory prowess

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