Why Theological Education Matters for Church Leadership Development
From The Forum archives
Our understanding of leadership in the church should be rooted in biblical truths. The following are three Bible verses about leadership in the church, which address personal formation, contextual ministry, and service.
1. Personal Formation in Leadership
Hebrews 13:17 says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Theological education at its richest includes personal and spiritual formation. This kind of formation happens through meaningful involvement in the church community and a mentoring relationship with a pastor or other ministry leader.
2. Context in Leadership
Within 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul says: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”
Church leaders today point out that articulating a biblical vision is usually not as challenging as finding the way to present that vision to a particular group, in a particular community, at a particular time. Leaders hold a desire for people to hear the whole truth about the gospel, yet they have to share it in a way that people can understand. In this way, context matters as we preach the unchanging truths of the gospel to different groups in our own backyard and around the world.
3. Servant Leadership
Matthew 5:16 reminds us, “…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 20:26–28 says: “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Service to others is a critical piece of spiritual formation. Leaders benefit from guided and reflective service opportunities that are not self-serving, but focused on learning from our neighbors and honoring their dignity.
Further Study On Church Leadership
Are you interested in studying leadership from a Christian perspective? Consider these readings for pastors, church staff, and lay leaders, from our current and former faculty members.
- Effective Leadership in the Church Leading Through Change by Kathleen Smith
- The Fabric of this World by Lee Hardy
- Letters to Growing Pastors by Howard Vanderwell, foreword by Jul Medenblik
- Stilling the Storm: Worship and Congregational Leadership in Difficult Times of Crisis, Transition and Conflict by Kathleen Smith
- Work and Worship: Reconnecting Our Labor and Liturgy by Cory Willson and Matthew Kaemingk
