Leadership is a subject everyone talks about. It’s a pity however that only few understand it. Most people want to be leaders but only few achieve it. What is leadership? What is spiritual leadership? It can be deduced from Mark 10:35-44 that spiritual leadership is not the same as inordinate ambition. Inordinate ambition denotes canvassing for promotion with the motive of being seen and approved of by men. Such a person desires to be popular, to stand tall among one’s contemporaries and to exercise control over others. It is perilous to put an ambitious man in office. Ambitious men enjoy the powers that money or authority gives. They lobby for promotion and are carnally minded. This kind of attitude is strongly discouraged by the scriptures (1 Peter 5:2-3). God and men are constantly searching for leaders who are willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience. There is a rising need for leadership that is authoritative, spiritual and sacrificial. Spiritual leadership is not won by promotion but by many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin, soul searching and a humble attitude before God. It is attained by self-surrender, a courageous elimination of every idol, a bold, undying, uncompromising and uncomplaining embrace of the cross, and also by an eternal, unfaltering focus on Jesus Christ. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but rather by counting all things as loss for Christ. Are you a spiritual leader? Follow the Master’s master principles for effective leadership.

What are the Master’s master principles for effective leadership? The first is the principle of dependence. Jesus voluntarily emptied Himself, surrendering His privileges and the independent exercise of His will to God. His dependence upon the Father was voluntary (Philippians 2:7). Secondly, there is the principle of approval. Jesus was approved of God. To excel as a spiritual leader, you need the approval of the Almighty (Acts 2:22).The third principle is the principle of modesty. Christ was modest. A spiritual leader should not be strident and flamboyant, but modest and unassuming. Fourthly, we have the principle of empathy. Leadership involves being sympathetic and understanding with the weak and erring. The fifth principle is the principle of optimism. Jesus was full of faith. Leadership requires hope and optimism since a true servant of God battles with the powers of darkness. A pessimist cannot make an inspiring leader. The sixth principle is the principle of the anointing. Christ was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power. Leadership requires a touch of the supernatural (Acts 10:38).