FOLLOW THE LEADERfor them through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord
Jesus. Take special note here that it was God’s plan for them that Paul wanted
them to see – not some plan of his own. That’s what authentic spiritual
leadership is all about. Remember how we saw earlier that true servant-
leadership is concerned about helping people accomplish a benevolent goal
that is beneficial for them. On the other hand, selfish leadership tries to get
people to accomplish a plan that is good for the leader. When the leader
substitutes his plan for God’s plan, it is a perversion and prostitution of
spiritual leadership!
Spiritual leaders are wise planners as opposed to worldly planners. Wise
planners plan according to God’s Word. Worldly planners plan according
to the values of Wall Street. The Apostle Paul asked: “Do I make my
plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, ‘Yes, yes’
and ‘No, no?’” Paul knew that worldly leadership and worldly planning
is often deceitful and contradictory. People give their word and make
promises they never intended to keep. They often say one thing and
mean another. They sign agreements, contracts and covenants that they
quickly break. Paul said that as a spiritual leader he did not live or plan
that way. He said that “...as surely as God is faithful, our message to
you is not ‘ Yes’ and ‘No’” (II Cor. 1:17-18). Paul writes to assure the saints
at Corinth of the integrity of his words and deeds: “I say what I mean, and
mean what I say! Since I serve and represent a faithful God, you can trust my
words and plans.”
To be a truly spiritual leader like Jesus and Paul, one must be a Biblical
planner. A leader who is a Biblical planner does his planning and
preparation with an open Bible...open heart...open mind. He depends upon
God’s Spirit to guide his planning through God’s Word. If he has any
doubt and confusion, he seeks mature Godly counsel. He humbly believes:
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many counselors they succeed”
(Prov. 15:22). Every wise leader will “Make plans by seeking advice...”
(Prov. 20:18).
A spiritual leader is committed to the clear principle: “God’s Will is
God’s Word.” If his own plans contradict God’s revealed Word in any
way, then the leader’s plans must be changed, modified or abandoned.
To the best of the Christian leader’s understanding, his plans must be in
perfect accord with the revealed will of God through His Word. Nothing