Christian Leader Audit: How It Helps Deter

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A Christian Leader Audit helps determine the overall strength of the leader as a Christian. Is the leader a strong Christian leader, above average Christian leader and so on? As Malphurs exclaims, as Christian leaders our “mandate is to lead Christianly regardless of the context.” This audits one’s commitment to Christ, godly character, reliance on God and ability to live by example. I scored a nine on the audit and according to my score I am a strong Christian leader.

Practicing servant leadership was a given for me. It has always been a passion of mine to serve others in any way possible. I have always believed that you must lead by example. In student ministry, this often means that I look for opportunities to serve students so that they can see in living color what being a servant looks like. Some examples would be sharing what I have with students. I find that any time I can share a meal with someone or share some money with someone in need that this is a great opportunity for me to lead by example. Often, I find myself not just asking others to clean up but I join them in cleaning up.

I try to make sure that I never have the attitude that I am “too good” to do something. As I further reflected on this audit, I found that while most of the time I lead by the power of the Holy Spirit, there are times when I launch out ahead of the Holy Spirit on my own. I often find myself praying that I would not get ahead of the Spirit but if I am honest I will admit that I get excited or at times frustrated and move out on my own. This was a good reminder for me that I must always be sensitive to God’s Spirit as I lead others, making sure that I am staying in stride with God’s Spirit and not pulling ahead or falling behind.

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The Christian leader audit serves as a reflective tool to evaluate a leader’s spiritual maturity, commitment to Christ, and ability to lead by example based on biblical principles. The purpose of this assessment is to determine whether a Christian leader demonstrates qualities such as godly character, reliance on God's guidance, and consistent Christ-like behavior. The importance of this audit lies in promoting accountability and continual growth, ensuring that leaders remain rooted in their faith while effectively guiding others.

Leaders in Christian contexts are called to exemplify Christ in their daily lives and leadership practices. According to Malphurs (2003), Christian leadership is rooted in the mandate to lead in a Christlike manner regardless of the environment or challenges faced. This means that a true Christian leader relies on dependence on God and embodies integrity, humility, and service. In this regard, I personally scored a nine on the audit, indicating a strong Christian leadership stance. However, reflection reveals that there are areas for growth, particularly in maintaining consistent sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance.

The concept of servant leadership is central in Christian leadership. It emphasizes serving others selflessly rather than seeking personal gain or authority. My commitment to servant leadership is evident in opportunities where I actively serve students by modeling humility and service. For instance, sharing meals or helping with cleanup demonstrates a tangible way of leading by example, emphasizing the importance of humility and service above status or convenience. Such actions resonate with Jesus’ teachings in Mark 10:45, where He states that the Son of Man came to serve rather than be served.

Leading by example through service also impacts the relational dynamics within ministry. When leaders demonstrate humility and willingness to serve, they foster trust and motivate others to adopt similar attitudes. This approach aligns with biblical principles of servant leadership discussed in passages like John 13:14-15, where Jesus models servant leadership by washing His disciples' feet. Such modeling encourages followers to pursue humility and service as core principles of Christian leadership.

Despite my strong commitment to servant leadership, I acknowledge moments where I have launched ahead of the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This tendency can lead to actions driven more by emotion or personal excitement rather than divine direction. It underscores the necessity of cultivating continuous dependence on God's Spirit, which requires intentional prayer, discernment, and self-awareness. Galatians 5:25 emphasizes walking by the Spirit as a continual process, reminding leaders to remain in stride with God's guidance.

Effective Christian leadership also involves recognizing one’s limitations and trusting God's sovereignty. When I realize I have moved ahead without clear spiritual confirmation, it serves as a catalyst for repentance and reevaluation. It reminds me of Proverbs 3:5-6, which advocates trusting in the Lord with all your heart and acknowledging Him in all ways so He can direct your path.

In conclusion, the Christian leader audit is an invaluable tool for self-assessment and spiritual growth. It highlights the strengths of a leader committed to Christ, such as service and integrity, while also identifying areas where dependence on the Holy Spirit needs to be strengthened. Christian leadership is a continual journey of relying on God's power, striving to serve others, and modeling Christ’s humility and love. By maintaining awareness of one’s spiritual state and seeking God's guidance consistently, Christian leaders can better fulfill their biblical mandate and influence others positively and effectively.

References

• Malphurs, A. (2003). Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. Baker Books.
• Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. Paulist Press.
• Blanchard, K., & Hodges, P. (2003). Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leaders in History. Thomas Nelson.
• Maxwell, J. C. (1998). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Thomas Nelson.
• Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.
• Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge. Wiley.
• Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
• Schwarz, R. (1996). Natural Church Development: A Guide to Twelve Qualities of Healthy Churches. St. Louis: Churchsmart Resources.
• Barna, G. (2009). All for Jesus: The Practical Power of Faith in Action. Tyndale House Publishers.
• Yukl, G. (2010). Leadership in Organizations. Pearson Education.