https://www.logospathosethos.

info/
 LOGOS, PATHOS, ETHOS:
THE ESSENITALS OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

Rodel D. Lasco

Table of Contents

Setting the stage

What is a Christian leader?

Reflecting on your leadership skills

Part I: Logos- A Leader Has A Message

Chapter 1: A leader is a theologian

Chapter 2: A leader is a life-long learner

Chapter 3: A leader is a communicator

Chapter 4: A leader uses social media wisely

Part II: Pathos- A Leader Is Passionate About The Logos

Chapter 5: A leader radiates commitment

Chapter 6: A leader is an optimist

Chapter 7: A leader perseveres

Chapter 8: A leader is a servant

Part III: Ethos- A Leader Lives The Logos

Chapter 9: Biblical leadership basics

Chapter 10: A leader depends on God

Chapter 11: A leader is growing in humility

Chapter 12: A leader knows his limitations

Chapter 13: A leader is open to correction

2
Chapter 14: A leader knows how to apologize

Chapter 15: A leader lives a consistent life

Chapter 16: A leader knows how to use power

Chapter 17: A leader leads his family

Behind A (Great) Leader… Is An Infinitely Greater God!

References

3
SETTING THE STAGE

As I flew aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Zimbabwe, it finally came together. I have always
been fascinated with the topic of leadership. For the past 35 years, I have had the privilege of
leading in various contexts-- in the church, academia, an international organization, and a not-
for-profit foundation. These experiences, combined with readings on the topic, have shaped my
thinking about what effective leadership is all about. So as I streaked across the African sky, I
put pen on paper (or fingers on tablet) and began another journey…

There is a crisis of leadership in the evangelical circles today.

A sad reality in Christianity today is the fall from grace of tele-evangelists, best-selling authors,
and mega-church pastors. Hardly a month passes by without another sensational collapse of a
once-eminent “man of God”. When such moral failure happens in non-evangelical churches, we
could say that it is because the gospel is not their real foundation. But when it happens to fellow
evangelicals, we are at a loss for words. Not a few feel disappointed, even disillusioned, at the
betrayal of trust by these leaders.

For every famous leader who fails, there are undoubtedly many more who become unfaithful to
their calling. Their downfall mostly goes unnoticed, except in their church or organization. Just
recently, one of the pastors we used to fellowship within our city, enticed a member of his
church to unlawful sexual relations. Upon discovery, the church was plunged into a crisis, even
as the pastor desperately clung to his position. Eventually, a group decided to leave and form
their separate church. Countless variations of such stories are sadly too common in our midst.

I wrote this book with the Christian leader in mind. By this, I mean, a Christian who occupies a
position of leadership, whether in the church or ministry context or a secular context. He can be
a pastor, a Bible study leader, or a parent who leads his family. At the same time, she can be a
manager in the office or a principal in a school. Moreover, this book is for those who see
themselves as future leaders in some capacity. Admittedly, the bias of the book is on leaders
serving in the church or ministry context. However, the principles enunciated here will apply
more broadly to other settings where a Christian serves as a leader.

Let me be clear at the outset. This is not a book about being a super charismatic leader. My
intention is not to write for those who see themselves as uniquely gifted or destined for great
things. Instead, this book is designed for someone who wants to serve the Lord faithfully in a
leadership capacity, no matter how small or large the sphere. You could be someone who wants
to be an effective leader in your Bible study group or your office. Or you may be a young
Christian who is dreaming of having some leadership role in your church. At the other end of the
spectrum, you may have been serving as a leader for some time, but you feel that something is
missing. You are holding this book in the hope that you may find some guidelines on how to
improve your leadership skills. If you belong to any or a combination of the above, then this
book was written for you.

4
I believe that in a vast majority of cases, it is the “ordinary” Christian leader who makes a
difference in a church or the office. Super leaders do exist, but they are by far the exception
rather than the rule. I am not saying you cannot be that person. I am convinced that the same
principles that can be found in this book also apply to “super leaders”. If you become one, then
glory to God indeed. But again, I challenge you to apply the principles of effective leadership
faithfully and leave the results to God. I am convinced that the strength of the Lord’s work in
every locality and context depends in no small degree on ordinary Christians who do their share
in leading God’s people.

I must confess that I do not consider myself a born leader. Nor do I think I have attained some
elevated status as a leader. Even now, I struggle to perform the myriad of duties I am called to
do. However, I can testify that God can use us despite our weaknesses and failures to
accomplish His purpose. I am no leader of a mega-church or a large organization. My
leadership skills have been honed in the Trinity Bible Church, where I have been pastoring for
more than 35 years, and in various positions I occupy in university and research organizations.
Raising three children to adulthood with my wife has also deepened my understanding of what it
takes to be a leader in a family context.

As I reflect, I realize that I can summarize all that I have learned about leadership using three
Greek words-- logos, pathos, and ethos. According to the Greek philosopher Aristotle, these are
the three ingredients of persuasive rhetoric. Logos is the content of the message, pathos is all
about the passion of the speaker, and ethos is the perceived character of the speaker1.

In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul captured the three-fold essence of his proclamation:

“because our gospel came to you not only in word [logos], but also in power and in the
Holy Spirit [pathos] and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be
[ethos] among you for your sake.”2

This book extends this concept to Christian leadership in general. My central thesis is that
logos, pathos, and ethos are the three essentials of effective leadership. This is because
leadership is also primarily an art of persuasion. I define a leader in this book as someone
who has a compelling message (logos), which he/she conveys with passion (pathos) to
his/her organization/people and which shapes his/her life (ethos). This book is divided into
three main parts corresponding to these three key pillars of effective leadership.

Quite apparent from its length, this book is not exhaustive in that it doesn’t cover all that can be
learned about the topic of leadership. Instead, it introduces a new perspective on looking at
leadership. The book distills in an easy to remember way the critical pillars of being a leader.
There are numerous books out there that cover every imaginable area of being a leader. At the

1
Chapell, loc 468-478,
2
Ibid., 495.

5
end of this book, I listed some titles that I found helpful to deepen your understanding and your
skills as a leader.

So enough of the appetizer, let us start our journey together by reflecting first on what a
Christian leader is.

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN LEADER?

I recently chanced upon a cartoon showing a man being interviewed for a job, and he was being
asked whether he has any leadership experience. The man replied, “Leadership experience?
Well, I have 13 followers on Twitter”! That is not what we mean when we think of a leader.

In general, we all have an idea of what a leader is. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is
that a leader is someone who is being followed by other people, as the man in the cartoon
above implies. In one sense, most people are functioning as leaders, for example, of their
families or their small circle of friends. Yet as we look around us, countless are compelled to
follow a leader who is ill-equipped to lead. We can see this in children who are forced to obey
their parents’ selfish demands, or in an office worker who must submit to a whimsical
supervisor.

The sad reality is that a tiny fraction of people can be considered to be excellent leaders.
Exceptional leaders encourage and inspire us. They make us better persons as we interact with
them regularly. In contrast, weak leaders constrain our growth and restrict our vision.

Over the years, management gurus have defined leaders and leadership in more than a
hundred different ways. Here are some definitions, according to Inc.com3:
• "Leadership: The capacity and will to rally people to a common purpose together with the
character that inspires confidence and trust." --Bernard Montgomery
• "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." --Warren Bennis
• "Leadership defines what the future should look like, aligns people with that vision, and
inspires them to make it happen, despite the obstacles." --John Kotter
• "Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by passion,
generated by vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose." --Myles Munroe
• "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." --John
Maxwell
• "My definition of a leader... is a man who can persuade people to do what they don't
want to do, or do what they're too lazy to do, and like it." --Harry S. Truman
• "Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to
achieve a common goal." --P.G. Northouse

3
https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/100-answers-to-the-question-what-is-leadership.html
Accessed 3/12/19

6
A Christian First, Before A Leader

What then, is a Christian leader? A fundamental pre-requisite is that such a person must be a
Christian. Aubrey Malphurs writes this in his book Being Leaders, “At the very core of the
Christian leader’s life is his or her personal conversion. To be a Christian leader, one must first
be a Christian. This is the starting place for all Christian leaders and leadership.” 4

A true Christian leader has seen himself as a sinner, totally unable to save himself, and is thus
destined to suffer God’s wrath in hell if nothing changes (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Blessedly, he has
learned of God’s provision for a lost sinner like him. God, out of His sovereign grace, sent His
only Son to be the substitute of His beloved people (John 3:16; Matthew 1:21). Jesus, the
second person of the Trinity, became a human person, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross
to satisfy the justice and righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13). Now, God is
calling everyone to repent of their sins (Luke 13:3) and put their trust in Jesus as their Lord and
Savior (Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). Based on Jesus’ finished work, those who come in
repentance and faith are declared righteous in God’s eyes (Galatians 2:16; Romans 5:1). The
Holy Spirit dwells in them as they seek to grow in Christ-likeness and manifest His fruit in their
daily lives (Ephesians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:22-23). When they die, they can look forward to
being free from all sin and to dwelling with the Triune God forever (Philippians 1:21; Revelation
22:3).

In short, a Christian leader is, first of all, a Christian before he is a leader. Those who reverse
this order find out to their eternal regret that they should have put first things first.

A Christian leader can be viewed in several ways. He/she could be a Christian who occupies a
position of leadership either in the church context or the secular world, or in both worlds. More
narrowly, a Christian leader is one who serves in the church or ministry context in either full time
or part-time capacity. The principles elaborated in this book will generally apply to all kinds of
situations where a Christian has an opportunity to lead.

Basic Qualifications

The essential qualifications of a Christian leader are similar to a leader in general. However, the
Scripture laid out specific requirements for a Christian leader, which are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-
7; Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4. The apostles Paul and Peter wrote these passages to guide in
the selection of pastors and deacons in the newly established churches of the first century. The
same attributes they identified generally apply to Christians in leadership positions today,
whether in the ministry or the secular world.

4
Aubrey Malphurs, Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership,2003, Baker Books,
Grand Rapids, p14.

7
These qualifications can be grouped into personal, family, relational, and talent qualifications.
Among the personal attributes of a godly leader are spiritual maturity, humility, soberness,
financial integrity, self-control, and holy living. Moreover, he/she must have a good relationship
with his/her spouse and children. In relating to others, a Christian leader must be gentle, peace-
loving, hospitable, respectable, and a good example. For pastors, the one talent qualification is
the ability to teach. Even for non-pastors, teaching ability is a desirable qualification for a
Christian leader. I will have more to say about these qualifications in Part III of this book.

These characteristics are to be desired by all Christians. Thus, they are foundational to any
aspiring Christian leader. There are many books and commentaries in the market that explain
the above passages, and so I will not elaborate them here. The reader will find that these
characteristics are scattered all over this book under the relevant chapters.

When I was young, the apparel maker Levi’s had this advertising pitch: “quality never goes out
of style”. The same can be said of good leaders—they never go out of style. God created
humans as social beings, and in the context of a community, leaders have always played a
pivotal role. People always look up to someone to take up the leadership mantle. A society
without a good leader inevitably descends into chaos.

The kingdom of the Lord is no exception. The Bible is full of excellent leaders, but also
miserable ones. The life of David is a continuing source of inspiration to leaders today. Who can
forget the way he delivered the Israelites against the Philistines? One of my all-time favorite
stories about King David was when he expressed his desire to drink water from the well in
Bethlehem, which happened to be under the control of their fierce enemies, the Philistines (2
Samuel 23:14-17). When his mighty commanders heard his wish, they galloped their way
through enemy territory to get the water David was longing for. But when they gave the cup of
water to David, what did he do? He poured it into the ground, saying, “Be it far from me, O
LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?”
(verse 17). Who will not follow such a leader to the ends of the earth!
.
It is noteworthy that great Christian leaders of the Bible (and others since then) succeeded not
through their efforts but the grace of God. They were sinners like us (Romans 3:23) and were
saved by looking unto Jesus alone. All their accomplishments were likewise attained as a result
of their union with Christ and the power that comes from the Holy Spirit. This truth is crucial to a
right understanding of effective leadership. One of its critical differences with earthly leadership
is that Christian leadership is anchored on grace. That is, none of us are deserving of God’s
blessings and help because we are, by nature, rebels against Him. The Bible calls this rebellion
sin, and we are called sinners.

Moreover, realize that God is sovereign in His bestowal of gifts and talents. This principle is
taught in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). In this parable, the master before going
on a long journey entrusted to his servants varying amount of talents: “unto one he gave five
talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability” (verse
15). The action of the earthly master reflects (albeit dimly) the sovereignty of the Maker and

8
Owner of the universe. God gives varying leadership abilities to whomever He desires to give.
Thus, the success of a leader, or lack thereof, is ultimately in the hands of God.

Practical Implications

There are important implications of the above. First, no matter how faithful you are in adhering
to leadership principles, you will not be an effective leader unless God blesses your work. You
may succeed in the estimation of others but still fail as a leader in the eyes of God. This should
bring a leader to his knees in prayer. By being constant in prayer, a leader acknowledges that
God is the ultimate disposer of things. He expresses his total dependence on his Heavenly
Father for the results of his work. He pleads the blood of the Lamb and His righteousness
thoroughly convinced that he does not deserve any favor from God. In contrast, a leader who
does not pray will not thrive. He may succeed for a while, but his real character is bound to be
exposed sooner or later.

Second, genuine conversion is a pre-requisite for successful leadership in any ministry. It may
sound surprising, but a false convert may successfully lead a ministry. But his true nature will
eventually be exposed, and his success deemed as shallow. In the Old Testament, King Saul
initially appeared to be a mighty leader of God. But his true color was revealed later on. In our
day, we have witnessed the fall of not a few megachurch (and ordinary church) pastors, some of
whom may not be genuinely converted in the first place.

At the outset, let me clarify my definition of success. By success, I am not referring primarily to
worldly metrics like office promotion, honor, size of ministry, or wealth. I define success as the
degree of your conformity to God’s will in your life. It involves doing your best in what God called
you to do, in the time available to do it (Colossians 3:23; Ephesians 5:16). Thus, the more you
obey God, the more successful you are.

As we travel together into this exploration of leadership, we will encounter several outstanding
leaders. But note that there is only one Perfect Leader who ever lived and continues to live. We
usually think of Jesus as Savior, even Lord, but not as a leader. It may, therefore, come as a
surprise that in the Bible, Jesus is also called a leader. In front of the Jewish supreme court,
Peter said this about Jesus, “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give
repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). The word leader here refers to one
who has a preeminent position like ruler or leader5. The word has been translated Prince (KJV,
NIV) and Leader (ESV), pointing to Jesus’ shared authority with God.


Jesus is our Leader! What a great blessing to be led by Him who loved us and gave Himself for
us. Here we see a paradox. As our Savior, Jesus came to serve us. But as our Leader and
Prince, we are the ones who serve Him. He is the paragon Servant-Leader, the One we must
emulate if we are to be effective leaders of His vineyard.

5
Bock, Darrell, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, (October 1,
2007), p432.

9
If you are reading this book, you must be an aspiring or practicing leader. It has been my joy
and privilege to have led a local church for more than 35 years and counting. I can testify that
despite all the challenges it brings, leading the people of God is one of my greatest blessings.
My aim at the end of my life is to be able to say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight. I have
finished the race. I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:17). Join me in a journey of discovery as
we meditate on the three essentials of Christian leadership: logos, pathos, and ethos.

Discussion Guide
1. What is your concept of a leader?
2. How committed are you to be a godly leader?
3. Reflect on the sovereignty of God and your success as a leader

REFLECTING ON YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS

The desire to know oneself better is as old as humanity. The Greek philosopher Aristotle said,
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” On the other side of the globe, Chinese sage
Sun Tzu wrote, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a
hundred battles.”

The Bible calls upon Christians to examine themselves. For instance, Paul challenged the
Corinthian Christians in this way, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test
yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5a). He also reminded the young leader Timothy to “Keep a close
watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself
and your hearers” (1Timothy 4:16). As a result of sin, humans have built-in blinders that keep us
from seeing who we truly are. I am sure you have experienced being totally clueless about
something in you that is so plain to others around you.

So as we embark on this journey, it is prudent to pause for a while and take stock of where you
are as a leader. This chapter is designed for you to reflect on where you stand in the three
dimensions of leadership—logos, pathos, and ethos.

Before undergoing the self-assessment, one question that may come to mind is whether leaders
are born or made. Related to this is the subject of what is the set of desirable characteristics
that a leader should have. These questions have never been resolved with finality by leadership
scholars and practitioners. Perhaps Gary Yukl, as quoted by Aubrey Malphurs, said it best, “It is
now recognized that certain traits increase the likelihood that a leader will be effective, but they
don’t guarantee effectiveness, and the relative importance of different traits is dependent on the
nature of the leadership situation.”6

Assess yourself for each question below, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest.

6
Malphurs, p109.

10
Logos
• I am aware of the core message I am sharing to others 1 2 3 4 5
• I have a good grasp of the principal teachings of the Bible. 1 2 3 4 5
• I continue to grow in my knowledge of the Bible. 1 2 3 4 5
• I effectively communicate with members of my team. 1 2 3 4 5
• I use social media wisely. 1 2 3 4 5

Pathos
• My life reflects a commitment to and conviction for my message. 1 2 3 4 5
• I am basically an optimist. 1 2 3 4 5
• I tend to persevere in my tasks. 1 2 3 4 5
• I serve others willingly. 1 2 3 4 5

Ethos
• In general, my life reflects the message I am teaching 1 2 3 4 5
• I am dependent on God for the results of my labors. 1 2 3 4 5
• I am seeking to grow in humility 1 2 3 4 5
• I know my limitations. 1 2 3 4 5
• I am open to corrections. 1 2 3 4 5
• I readily apologize for my mistakes. 1 2 3 4 5
• I strive to live a consistent life 1 2 3 4 5
• I know how to use power. 1 2 3 4 5
• I lead my family first. 1 2 3 4 5

Based on your answers to the above, identify which areas you need to improve. We will study
each of the above topics for the rest of this book.

11
 LOGOS

PATHOS ETHOS

12
PART I
LOGOS-- A LEADER HAS A MESSAGE

It is known as the charge of the Light Brigade, one of the most famous defeats in the annals of
British military history. The year was 1854, and the British were at war with the Russians in the
Crimea. The specific events that transpired that fateful day on October 25 are shrouded in
mystery. What is certain was that the Russians captured some artillery guns that were in a
strategic location. In an attempt to stop the Russians from gaining an advantage, Lord Reglan
sent an order to Lord Cardigan to prevent the Russians from carrying away the guns. But the
order was not specific enough. There was confusion as to precisely what needs to be done.
What happened next was even murkier. The order was sent through Captain Nolan who may
have pressured Lord Cardigan to do something drastic. The latter ordered his light cavalry to
engage with the Russians, even though it was ill-equipped to do so. When the smoke of battle
cleared, 270 out of 670 soldiers in the brigade were either dead or wounded. Almost all of the
400 horses perished.7

Just like in battle, an uncertain message from the leader can create confusion among the
people. An effective leader must have a clear message. No one will follow someone without
knowing what he stands for.

We can see this in the most successful leaders, both past and present. Former US president
Dwight Eisenhower talked about the New Deal, which galvanized a nation under severe
economic depression to pull together. More recently, former US president Barack Obama spoke
about change. In the religious world, Pastor Mark Dever has highlighted the “9 marks” of a
healthy church. While Pastor John Piper will always be associate with “desiring God”.

People are looking for leaders who have a life-defining message. Without a compelling
message, an aspiring leader will have difficulty attracting followers. The power of a message
can be seen in the way cultic leaders have led their followers astray. Once their adherents
believed their message, it is shocking how far they would go to obey their leaders. This blind
adherence was brought to the fore during the 1960s in a group called Lapiang Malaya. Believing
in the power of their amulets, hundreds of followers attacked Malacañang on May 21, 1967,
intending to overthrow the government. The result was a massacre. The police killed 33 and
wounded 47 members of the cult. In the aftermath, researchers who interviewed surviving
members found out that what held the group together were their religious beliefs8. Their
charismatic leader, Tatang Valentin, taught his followers a strange blend of political freedom,
the second coming of Christ, and belief in amulets. By believing a false message, scores of
people paid for their lives.

7
https://www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/the-charge-of-the-light-brigade-who-blundered-in-the-
valley-of-death/ Accessed 3/22/19
8
Albada-Lim et al., p154

13
The Christian leader has the most inspiring message in all the world. After all, it is called the
Good News! It is a message of hope for all the lost sinners of this world. We are people of the
Bible, and our message has been handed down to us through generations and millennia of
God’s people. We are not the originators of our message. God has revealed it to us. Our task is
not to find a new message but to faithfully herald the message of the Scriptures.

The Greek word “logos” represents this attribute of a leader. Logos means “word” in Greek.
Scholars of public speaking and especially of homiletics or preaching, have long ago identified
that the quality of the content (logos) is a pre-requisite to a good sermon. In this book, I contend
that an effective Christian leader should communicate a clear logos, or else people will not
follow him.

Another way to look at a leader’s logos is that it is his burden. In the Old Testament, prophets
have a “burden”. This burden refers to the solemn message they want the people to know. A
leader cannot help but to share his logos to others and so it is his burden. The logos is what
keeps the leader excited. He is convicted that his logos is what will change the world, or at least
his corner of the world.

This was the case with the prophet Jeremiah. Yahweh has revealed to him the coming
destruction of His people. His task was to herald the bad news, and he knew that persecution
awaits him. Even so, he testified that “If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his
name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with
holding it in, and I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9). A leader cannot rest until she has shared her
message with others.

I do not mean that a leader has only one repetitious message. Our overarching message is the
gospel, and the whole Bible is our reference book. Within the ambit of this logos, numerous
details must be communicated to people.

The logos is more than just a slogan or one message. It refers to the totality of our vision and
message. It can be manifested in a vision or goal statement. But it is also the totality of the
many messages we convey to the organization. For the pastor, the logos is the whole Bible and
the gospel, but it could be sharpened to highlight particular ministry focus. As mentioned above,
John Piper will forever be associated with “desiring God” and Mark Dever with “9 Marks”. Going
further back, we remember John Bunyan through Pilgrim’s Progress and Jonathan Edwards by
his “religious affections”.

Again, this is not to say such leaders did not declare the “whole counsel of God”. My point is
that they have a relevant and compelling message which rallied people around them.
Furthermore, I am not saying that these leaders are one dimensional. If you listen to the
sermons and read books of the Christian leaders mentioned above, you will be struck by the
breadth of their ideas and message. But all of them focused on some area of the gospel that
needs to be underscored in the context of their ministry. None of them likely did set out to

14
change the world when they were starting. Being faithful to their local congregation, God used
the sum of their logos to transform whole sections of Christianity.

The leader’s logos is not always popular. In real life, the most relevant messages could be
unpopular and even painful. A few weeks ago, we received a call from my father just as we
turned off the lights to sleep. He was calling to inform us that my mother just breathed her last. It
is not a message we would want to hear, but we would feel offended if we were not informed
immediately of such an important message.

For the Christian, he must be faithful to the message that God wants him to deliver. Blessedly,
our message is, at its core, one of hope and redemption. However, specific aspects of the
Biblical message may be offensive to some. In the office, a leader is at times called upon to
deliver bad news to his team. In such cases, we should leave the results of our logos to God,
even when the hearers seem to be rejecting our message. The most faithful leaders of God
experienced rejection, notably the prophets in the Old Testament and early church evangelists
like Paul.

In the following pages, I will discuss critical areas that will help sharpen your logos as a leader.

CHAPTER 1: A LEADER IS A THEOLOGIAN

I recently read an article in which the writer listed things that a pastor should never say publicly
to his congregation. Among the items on the list was this, “I am no theologian”. The author
points out that a pastor who says those words has no reason to preach in a church because he
is supposed to be the theologian of his local church. That is a good point. Christian leaders must
have proper theological training to lead God’s people. While he doesn’t have to be a Biblical
scholar, he needs to have a good grasp of the fundamentals of the faith. Without such
knowledge, the leader will not inspire people to follow his lead. Worse, the leader can lead his
flock astray.

Al Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Seminary in the USA, underscored the need for
what he calls “convictional leadership” in his book of the same title. He said, “If our leaders are
not passionately driven by the right beliefs, we are headed for disaster.”9

An effective Christian leader is humbled by the weighty responsibility of feeding, encouraging,

and protecting the flock of God. He realizes that without God’s strength, he will falter and
stumble. Thus, he seeks wisdom from above even as he diligently studies the Word of God.

A Leader Is A Serious Student Of The Bible

The prince of preachers CH Spurgeon once shared this story: Lord Bacon tells of a certain
bishop who used to bathe regularly twice every day, and on being asked why he bathed thus

9
Mohler, p19

15
often, replied, “Because I cannot conveniently do it three times.” If those who love the Scriptures
were asked why they read the Bible so often, they might honestly reply, “because we cannot
find time to read it oftener.”10

A leader is beset by many responsibilities and an effective leader even more so. His time is a
scarce commodity as myriads of “important” things vie for his attention. One of the things that
are so easy to sacrifice is a private and in-depth study of the Scriptures. Cheap substitutes are
more readily available than ever before because of the internet. One of the chief vices of
pastors today is just to skim the internet to prepare a sermon, instead of spending hours trying
to understand what the text is saying. One news website published an article whose title sums
up the concerns of not a few-- “Did your pastor steal Sunday’s sermon?”

The plague of plagiarism is just a symptom of the neglect of many leaders today to go back to
the source of godly wisdom, the Bible. Without constant immersion to what God has revealed, a
leader’s message will become stale. Worse, a leader may slowly drift into error to the detriment
of the souls of his people and his soul. Without a clear logos from their leader, the flock will
gradually weaken and be easy picking for the tempter.

Why study the Scriptures? Because it is the inerrant revelation of God of Himself and His will for
us. The classic passage about this is 2 Timothy 3:16:17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God
and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the
man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work”.

The case of Joshua in the Old Testament is instructive. His task was to lead a budding nation to
war and conquest as they enter the Promised Land. The much revered (and at times despised)
leader of the people, Moses, just passed away, and Joshua took over the top job. Success
means conquering the land for the new nation, but failure could mean the annihilation of his
entire people. This was the situation of Joshua right after Moses died. Yahweh encouraged
Joshua for the task ahead. One of the things God told him was this: This Book of the Law shall
not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous,
and then you will have good success (Joshua 1:8). For Joshua to effectively accomplish his
mission, constant contact with the Scriptures was a pre-requisite.

Today, the same advice is relevant to all Christian leaders. Your success depends in no small
degree, on our closeness to the Word of God. How are you to do this? First, have a systematic
plan to read the Bible. There are many resources out there that can get you started on reading
the Bible systematically if you are not yet doing so. For example, right now, I am following a
balanced Bible reading plan that cycles between the books of the Old Testament and the New
Testament so that I can read the Bible in one year. In addition to this, I read half a chapter of the
NT in my morning devotions while my wife and I read part of the Old Testament consecutively
before praying at night. You can find your system so that you are exposed to the Bible regularly.

10
http://www.spurgeon.us/mind_and_heart/quotes/b2.htm#study Accessed 5/26/19

16
Nothing will sharpen your logos more than constant dipping in the authoritative source of our
message.

Second, read spiritual books regularly. An effective leader is typically a voracious reader. In my
case, I always keep a book handy wherever I go. It’s incredible how much one can read while
waiting in line in the bank or for a flight in an airport. The advent of e-books is a huge blessing
for me since I can now lug hundreds of books and reading materials on my
tablet/phone/computer. In the last few months, I also discovered audiobooks. Through such
services as Scribd, one can have access to fantastic Christian books for a monthly fee that is
less than that of Netflix. I realize, of course, that this may not be for all people. My point is
simply, make books a regular companion.

The apostle Paul, towards the end of his fruitful life, wrote the following words to his disciple
Timothy: “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and
above all the parchments” (2Ti 4:13). We will never know what those books and parchments
were (perhaps in heaven?). But we can surely learn from this great leader of the faith. While
languishing in a Roman prison facing certain death, Paul wanted to read books!

Without regular immersion to the Word, the well of our logos will run dry. If you are a pastor, this
may become a reality as your sermons become repetitive, predictable, and boring. Pretty soon,
your people will lose interest, and their spiritual growth will be stunted.

A Leader Has Rock Solid Convictions

Today’s Christian leaders are being confronted with unique challenges, just as every generation
has faced theirs. In some sense, the same old ills bedevil us—pride, materialism, love of
pleasure, and rebellion against God. But their manifestation is different in each generation. In
the early part of the 21st century, rapid advances in information technology coupled with ease of
access to the internet have facilitated the spread of worldly philosophies and evil in general to
all corners of the world. Blessedly, the same information highway has helped advance the
kingdom of God. However, without spiritual enlightenment, much of the world will not be able to
resist the allurements of sin transmitted through fiber optics.

Scores of evangelical groups have wavered and even totally abandoned historic doctrinal
positions such as the inerrancy of Scriptures, salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ
alone, and the reality of the supernatural. Post-modernistic relativism shapes the beliefs of
numerous people as the distinction between right and wrong blurs.

In the area of morality, there is a concerted effort to redefine gender and marriage. In several
affluent countries of the world, gay marriage is now legal. Just last week, Taiwan became the
first country in Asia to legalize gay marriage. To hold on to Biblical beliefs on the distinctiveness
of the male and female gender and heterosexual marriage is slowly becoming a minority view in
not a few cultures. The Philippines has resisted the bandwagon of moral decline, at least so far.
However, no one can tell what may happen in the future as more and more countries abandon

17
traditional beliefs on sexuality and marriage. Leaders must be able to anticipate cultural shifts
and forewarn his people of what is coming.

On a broader scale, religious cults of various shapes and sizes have multiplied. The Christian
leader must be steeped in Biblical doctrines if he/she can help guide the people he/she leads to
right beliefs and actions.

Now is not the time for vacillation. Leaders with convictions are sorely needed.

In my case, it’s been a great source of blessing that I have been exposed early in my Christian
life to reformed theology. The doctrines of the grace as handed down from Augustine to the
Reformers and modern-day Christians have been a bedrock of my convictions.

I encourage you to dig deep into what you believe in. Do not be content with the wishy-washy
doctrinal beliefs of many Christians today. Our age is allergic to doctrines. Perhaps because of
the inroads of post-modernism and relativism, people are afraid to stand on what they believe
in. As evangelicals, we believe in the one true God who has revealed Himself in the Scriptures.

The greatest leaders in the Bible were fully convinced of the teachings they hold. Even under
intense pressure from their enemies, they stood firm in what they know to be God’s truth. Elijah
confronted the false prophets of Baal in the most unfavorable environment. Daniel and his three
buddies withstood the mighty Babylonian empire without compromising their beliefs. In the New
Testament, the apostles were willing to be jailed, beaten, and even killed for the sake of the
“good news”. Why? Because they loved their God, and they had not an iota of doubt on the
divine truths they received.

A Leader Knows How To Handle Theological Knowledge

To balance growth in knowledge in theology, the Christian leader must be mindful of the
dangers of possessing such a vast amount of knowledge. Paul warned the Corinthians that a
type of ““knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor 8:1). The context of Paul’s words was
that certain people in the church know that Christians could eat any kind of food. However, they
were using this knowledge to belittle those who did not have the same level of awareness.

A leader is privileged to have more excellent knowledge than the typical member of an
organization. This situation is expected if he is a diligent student of the Scriptures and is the
resident theologian of the group he/she leads. Sadly, there are Christians who use theology as
a hammer to smack people they do not agree with. Social media has become a virtual battlefield
with so-called “keyboard theologians” bashing each other over minutiae of religion.

According to Kim Cash Tate, “Social media enlivens our carnal nature. We enjoy quick
satisfaction. Emotion wants an outlet. Complaints must be heard. Anger needs to be expressed.
And contrary views must be vigorously opposed, because that’s what the flesh enjoys as well —

18
superiority. It will mow down another’s views — succinctly if on Twitter — while elevating its
own, earning a satisfying flurry of shares and retweets”11.

For those who confess adherence to the so-called doctrines of grace (or Reformed Theology),
this is especially disgusting. The essence of Reformed teaching is the sovereignty of God and
the nothingness of humans who must depend on the unmerited favor of God. Pride is, therefore,
the very antithesis of the doctrines of grace.

Besides, a leader gets to know confidential and privileged information. He/she must resist the
temptation to use such knowledge to gain an unfair advantage or even to put down others. For
example, in the process of counseling, pastors may become aware of certain information about
the counselee or some other person. One of the essential qualities of a leader is that he knows
how to keep his mouth shut!

When I was a new convert, I attended my first Christian camp for college students with much
excitement. As part of the camp, we were paired with a more mature Christian, and I freely
shared my burdens to my “mentor”. Then later in the camp, my mentor spoke in one of the
plenary sessions, and he used what I shared with him in confidence as an illustration. I felt like
cold water was poured on me, and I felt betrayed. It was a lesson I never forgot. Leaders have
to guard any information entrusted to them zealously.
Perhaps this is the reason why the wise man said that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7). Without such fear of God, knowledge will not be used wisely. In
contrast, a God-fearing person will be humbled by the things he knows and will seek the good of
others.

Discussion Guide
1. Show from the Bible the necessity of growing in theological knowledge.
2. Why should the Bible be the ultimate authority of your doctrines?
3. How will you handle doctrinal differences inside your church or organization?
4. Identify ways by which you can grow in theological knowledge

CHAPTER 2: A LEADER IS A LIFE-LONG LEARNER

As I write this paragraph, my mother passed away exactly a month ago on the last day of
February 2019. One of her indelible legacies to me was love for learning. I grew up with all
types of reading materials at home. Even with their limited income, she bought books and
subscribed to the Reader’s Digest since the 1960s. As a result, I grew up a voracious reader
too. One of my fears when growing up was being left in a room with nothing to read! Little did I
know that such a desire to learn new things will serve me well when I occupied various
leadership positions.

11
Kim Cash Tate, A Social Media Heart Check, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-social-media-heart-
check Accessed 5/27/19

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It is vital to know that leadership ability is not static. Just like any skill in life, one can grow in his
ability to lead others. The leader’s knowledge, in turn, will determine how effective he will be.
John Maxwell states, “Leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of
effectiveness. The lower an individual’s ability to lead, the lower the lid on his potential. The
higher the leadership, the greater the effectiveness”12.

Why Should A Leader Keep Learning?

A leader must be a life-long learner because of several reasons. In general, because the heart
of leading is knowing the way. A leader’s task is to help people navigate the highways of life. It
will have been much simpler if the road is clear, just like our expressways. But the reality is that
the path of life is never well-defined. Instead of a highway, it’s more like a narrow trail in the
forest. The desired destination may be clear, but the specific path of getting there may not be
straightforward. As if that was not enough, the pathways keep changing as external conditions
change. Thus, a leader must never stop learning so she can lead the people to their destination.

There are also specific reasons why continuous learning is a must. First, the only way to grow is
to learn. A leader who has ceased to grow is headed for mediocrity and, most likely, failure. The
Bible reminds us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2
Peter 3:18). Personal growth is typically accompanied by knowing more of who God is and how
He works in our lives and the world in general. In not a few cases, those who are too lazy to
advance in knowledge also coast along in their Christian lives. To a pastor, growth is essential if
he is to last for many years in one church. Perhaps one reason why a pastor’s typical stay in
one church is only a few years is that he stops growing. As a result, his logos becomes lifeless
and predictable.

In the office, it is widely recognized that the upwardly mobile staff and effective leaders are
thirsty for knowledge. Those who ceased learning end up coasting along, and their careers have
plateaued. This is especially true today when information is so readily available. Everyone has
the same access to what is on the internet. To have an edge, a leader has to know more, not in
terms of quantity necessarily, but in better ways of harnessing knowledge for the good of the
organization.

In the home, even a full-time mother must grow in knowledge. My wife Haydee has been a full-
time homemaker all her life. She raised three kids to adulthood (and one husband!). Along the
way, she earned a master’s degree and a doctorate. People are sometimes confused about why
she took advanced degrees and yet did not work in the office at all. However, they do not realize
that part of her success as a wife and mother is because she keeps on learning. She can better
interact with our children and me because she is aware of what it means to be in academia

12
John C. Maxwell, 2002, Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know, Nashville, Tennessee,
Thomas Nelson, p11.

20
where we all work. My point is not that we all need PhDs! Only that we need to grow in
knowledge wherever God called us to minister and work.

Second, the world around us and the challenges it brings are changing at a dizzying pace. With
the advent of everywhere internet, access to information has never been easier, and it is only
bound to increase. While this development can be a blessing, it also generates its problems. For
example, internet pornography is a silent pandemic afflicting even professing Christians. A
leader has to deal with a plethora of issues arising from people who are exposed to more varied
sources of stress and temptations. As a result, she must keep pace by being a voracious
consumer of new information.

In sum, a leader who stops learning also stops being a leader. There may be some lag time
before the cessation of education catches up with outward reality, but it will be inevitable.

What Should A Leader Learn?

As already underscored in the previous chapter, the ultimate authority of the Christian leader is
the Bible, and there is no substitute for this. Let me reiterate that. Nothing can replace a
thorough understanding of the Bible. Of all the books in the world, a leader should be reading
and studying it the most.

However, this is not to say that a leader should only read one book. Many of the Biblical authors
themselves show great familiarity with the literature of their day. A case in point is the apostle
Paul, who quoted existing literary and oral material in some of his epistles. For instance, the
famous Christ’s hymn in Philippians 2:5-11 is believed to have been circulating widely in the
time of Paul. In his sermons in the book of Acts, Paul also exhibited his vast knowledge of
Greek philosophers and writers. James, in the letter that bears his name, also alludes to
numerous sayings and proverbs from Jewish and Greek writings.

What kind of knowledge should a leader thirst for? First, you should seek to know more about
leading and leadership. There are tons of reference books and materials dealing with this topic.
One of the books that proved helpful to me as a young Christian was Christian Leadership by
Oswald Sanders, which has been revised and expanded in the current edition. A recently
published book that I found helpful is Al Mohler’s Convictional Leadership. Books by John
Maxwell were also beneficial for me. There are many more out there dealing with how to be a
better Christian leader, and I encourage you to get hold of as much of them as you could. Just
like any discipline, you can always improve your leadership ability by learning from past and
current leaders.

Second, a leader should take advantage of formal and non-formal education as the Lord
provides opportunities. It is never too late to study. In my case, I was able to fulfill my dream of
studying in a seminary by taking online courses and finishing my master’s in theological studies
last month (at the ripe old age of 58 years!). There are many non-formal courses available

21
online, and some are even free of charge. Some churches are also offering modular courses or
sponsoring conferences which are suitable venues for learning and networking.

As a young instructor at the University of the Philippines, I resolved to finish my doctoral degree
by the age of 30. There were many obstacles that I encountered along the way, chief among
them was lack of funds as I was already raising a family at that time. But I was able to attain my
target by God’s grace. Looking back, I am thankful that I did that because the Lord used it to
open many doors for me. Today, I always counsel young graduates to prioritize education over
money as they start their careers. Government agencies and private organizations offer plenty
of opportunities to further one’s knowledge, whether formal or non-formal.

Third, it will be beneficial for the Christian leader to have a deeper understanding of Christianity
in general. For instance, I find that readings on church history could be utterly illuminating.
Current trends in society and religion can be better understood in the light of the arc of history.
For example, the prevailing belief that science trumps religion started in the Enlightenment
when European philosophers began to challenge the veracity of Biblical accounts. Moreover,
reading Christian biographies is good for the leader as he can be inspired by how God used
imperfect persons like him. Besides, he can learn quite a few things about how the saints of the
past correctly (or incorrectly) handled specific issues. Comparing the leadership styles of Martin
Luther and John Calvin, for example, shows that God can use vastly contrasting personalities to
lead His people.

Fourth, a Christian leader must seek to gain a general knowledge of the world she lives in. The
reason is that people do not live in a vacuum. They interact with the world around them,
affecting it, and being affected by it. The leader’s reading and study must cover current events,
social trends, and technological advancement. Being abreast of politics is not bad, but one must
not overdo it. For example, some pastors become so engrossed in politics so that they become
too partisan, alienating not a few church members. This is not to say that a Christian must not
have political views. What I am warning about is being too vocal of our political views which may
be misinterpreted as imposing our political leanings on others.

Fifth, and related to above, for a ministry leader, in-depth knowledge of religious developments
and cults is of great value. Part of a leader’s message is to warn his brethren of the wiles of the
enemy. He must always be scanning the horizon for potential minefields. He aims to lead the
people “beside still waters” (Psalm 23:2). Paul reminded Timothy that a pastor “must hold firm to
the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and
also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).

Lastly, a leader should seek to be a better communicator. This topic will be discussed in more
detail in the next chapter, so I will skip it here.

A leader’s logos will be as fresh and timely as his well of knowledge. While knowing more things
does not guarantee success, it is an indispensable prerequisite to it.

22
Discussion Guide
1. Does a thirst for new knowledge characterize your life?
2. Do your reading and study cover a wide variety of subject matter?
3. Do you invest time and resources in gaining new knowledge?

CHAPTER 3: A LEADER IS A COMMUNICATOR

Years ago, I experienced the most challenging trial up to that point in my young role as leader of
our growing church congregation. I approached my co-leaders, seeking clarification and
affirmation of my performance as the preacher of the church. I was trying to find out if they still
trust me. But somehow it didn’t come out that way. They thought I was charging them of seeking
to unseat me as the leader of the church. Many tears were shed in its aftermath, which
illustrates how miscommunication can ruin relationships and zap the leader’s strength. Similarly,
it is incumbent for a leader to be able to transmit his logos with clarity to avoid
misunderstanding.

Moreover, a lot of learning will come to naught if these are not passed on to the people who look
to us for guidance. Many times the message of a leader is lost in translation. In not a few
instances, the consequences of such miscommunication could be catastrophic. Take the case
of the king of Syria and the king of Israel during the time of the prophet Elisha (see 2 Kings 5).
An officer in the Syrian army by the name of Naaman wanted to go to Israel to be healed of his
leprosy because he learned that a prophet there could do it. To introduce the officer to the king
of Israel, the king of Syria sent this letter, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to
you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:6). This letter brought
panic to the palace in Jerusalem. As the “king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and
said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his
leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.” (2 Kings 5:7). He thought
that the king of Syria was using Naaman as a pretext for starting a war. Fortunately, Elisha was
there to save the day, and he healed Naaman.

Effective communication is not an option for a leader. Al Mohler underlined this when he said,
“To be human is to communicate, but to be a leader is to communicate constantly, skillfully,
intentionally, and strategically”13. That is the only way to propagate the logos, by continually
talking about it to our people.

A Leader Seeks To Be A Better Communicator

A person is usually not born with excellent communication skills. In a vast majority of cases, she
has to develop such skills throughout her life. To that end, she will use all available means to
hone her craft. She will read books on how to communicate effectively. She will practice

13
Mohler, p91.

23
incessantly, often by applying what she learns in a real-life situation. She will seek and accept
feedback, even if it’s negative, from her colleagues.

A leader’s spouse is an invaluable ally in this regard. In my case, my wife Haydee is my in-
house “critic” who has immensely helped improve the way I communicate. She never fails to
point out annoying mannerisms when I am speaking (I must admit I resented this at first!). At
times, she will call my attention to a misplaced necktie or anything in my appearance that could
distract the listeners. Besides, in our church, we have a regular feedback mechanism so that all
our preachers profit from the wisdom of the whole church. For example, one feedback a
preacher got was that his messages ran in circles so that the point is buried in tons of verbiage.
Sadly, that preacher did not listen, and he eventually left our church with his ministerial career
very much in doubt.

A leader must seek to excel both in oral and written communication. Talking before a crowd of
people is one of the most common phobias. When I first began teaching at the University of the
Philippines at age 20, my hands were shaking because of tension. Even now, after more than
37 years of lecturing and preaching, my hands still get clammy just before I speak in public.
However, I have also proven that with constant practice, we can overcome such fears and even
excel in public speaking. Of course, I am not saying we can all be equally proficient in public
speaking. God has given specific individuals a more exceptional ability to speak than others. I
have seen people whose gift is not in teaching a reasonably large group. Part of humility is to
accept our limitations.

Nevertheless, everyone can improve her speaking ability if she strives to do so. Maybe she will
not be able to speak as well as some famous speaker, yet it will still be satisfying to be able to
express oneself more clearly. One practical way to master public speaking is by joining groups
such as Toastmasters Club.

It will be to her advantage if a leader can also communicate well in writing. For example,
blogging is a meaningful way you can influence others. I have more than 250 sermons in
SermonAudio.com and just a few blogs. However, I discovered that blogs are being read by
many more people than those listening to sermons. The highest download for a single sermon is
a little less than 300, but almost 6,000 people have read the top blog. Also, a leader can publish
his works in pamphlets and books to further expand his reach.

In the office context, excellent writers are much desired, especially in the academic world where
I work. As a scientist, most of my writings were highly technical, dealing with climate science
and environmental conservation. But recently, I am learning to write more creatively for a wider
audience. Since late 2018, my opinion articles have been published in a major daily, more or
less every month. Just last week, an article on the water crisis was also published in an online
news site. Quite surprisingly, I am enjoying the challenge of making scientific findings more
accessible and exciting to the public.

24
On spiritual matters, I have earlier written short books dealing with the Ten Commandments and
environmental stewardship. I must confess that it is not easy to write. The end product may not
be the best we imagined it to be. But one has to start somewhere. I am convinced that practice
does not always make perfect, but at least it leads to improvement.

Losing The Message: Common Errors

From more than three decades of interacting with leaders and listening to them, I have observed
that there are common mistakes that diminish one’s ability to communicate effectively. The
errors I will discuss below apply primarily to public speaking.

First is inadequate preparation. Speakers who are not prepared tend to meander, with no end in
sight. The main point of the speech is hidden (if there is one), and the end is greeted with a sigh
of relief. If you are invited to speak in any forum, always prepare. As one might expect, the
amount of preparation will vary depending on the occasion and the length of the speech. When
a Christian leader delivers a message from the Word of God, preparation is doubly essential. He
must handle the Word with care befitting the words of the King of kings. Sadly, there are
innumerable pastors whose Sunday sermons are ill-prepared. No wonder, preaching has been
the subject of embarrassing ridicule in some quarters.

Second, lengthy introductions. I have lost count of the many times I have heard a speaker spent
five minutes belaboring the opening lines of a fifteen-minute speech. Because of that, they
rushed through the body and the most critical part of the address in the remaining time.
Moreover, a prolonged introduction alerts the audience that the speaker is not prepared, and
their minds begin to wander. So keep introductions short and to the point. I usually practice the
introduction the most because it is so easy to stumble in the first few sentences when one is still
uneasy and self-conscious. At the same time, pithy introductions help us keep our words
focused and brief.

Third, not minding the time. Some people just can’t stop talking when in front of a microphone.
They go beyond the capacity of the listeners to absorb their talk, whether in the church or
secular forums. A fellow pastor once joked that when a friend pastor preaches, the congregation
looks at the calendar, not at their watch! There are many reasons why a speaker can take
liberty with time. Some people are just unaware of how time passes so quickly. Others have
prepared well for their talk and are excited to share all their ideas. And then some just love to
talk to a captive audience, usually about their exploits (politicians come to mind). When leaders
abuse the time given to them, they typically fail to communicate their message. Studies have
shown that people can only listen well up to a certain point, after which their minds begin to drift.
Worse, speakers show disrespect to the audience when they keep on blabbering and thereby
lose their credibility in the process. By keeping to the allotted time, the leader is conveying that
he values the audience’s time. By exhibiting his respect to others, he gains their respect as well.
The prince of preachers CH Spurgeon once said, “Brevity is a virtue within the reach of all of us;

25
do not let us lose the opportunity of gaining the credit which it brings. If you ask me how you
may shorten your sermons, I should say study them better.” 14

Fourth, the lack of focus. I have heard several talks in which the speaker has no clear point. In
such cases, many things are said, but the audience has no clear takeaway. If you are speaking
in the office or the church, make sure you can summarize what you want to say in one
sentence. The whole speech should support, clarify, and amplify the one thing you are trying to
convey. The human mind can only absorb so much in one sitting. We typically overestimate the
audience’s capacity to remember and our ability to hold an audience’s attention.

Recently, my elementary school alma mater in San Pablo City invited me to speak at the
graduation ceremony. It was April, the height of summer, and the ceremony started after lunch,
the hottest part of the day. I immediately realized that under such conditions, even a half-hour
message would try the patience of the audience. I decided to focus on the value of learning and
peppered the speech with illustrations. Finally, I decided to keep it short, to the relief of the
audience, I daresay.

A Leader Is A Listener

It may seem counterintuitive, but good communicators are even better listeners. The early
church father, James said it well, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to
hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). I call this the speed limits of life. We have to
slow down before we open our mouth and especially in getting angry. In contrast, we have to be
fast in listening to others. Before we can communicate our message, we must first understand
what people are thinking. Only when we appreciate where people are can we tailor our
message in a way that they will comprehend it.

In reality, most leaders talk more and listen less. Then they are surprised that people do not pay
attention to them. When we listen, we express to people that they are essential to us. Once they
feel that we value them, then they will be more open to hearing what we have to say to them.

Early in my career as a pastor and university instructor, I too loved the sound of my voice. I
wanted to hog the conversation whenever I was talking to people. One day, I was in the
mountains with some colleagues to evaluate a government project. One of the members of the
evaluation team was always pulling the conversation to what she wanted to talk about. It
dawned on me that it was exactly how I was when I talk to others. Right there at that moment up
in the mountain, I resolved to be a more patient listener. Over the years, I believe this has paid
huge dividends as I can appreciate more what others are saying. As a bonus, I am learning a lot
from the views and experiences of others.

14
CH Spurgeon, Lecture 9, Lecture to My Students,
https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/spurgeon/Lectures%20to%20My%20Students%20-
%20C.%20H.%20Spurgeon.pdf Accessed 4/12/20.

26
A related matter is that leaders should think first before speaking. Realize that every word you
speak affects the rest of the team. A careless word may cause discouragement or maybe
grossly misinterpreted.

Discussion Guide
1. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a communicator? One way to know this is to ask
your spouse or close friend to give you frank feedback on your communication skills.
2. Are you consistently improving your communication skills? Why or why not?
3. Are you a good listener, or do you dominate conversations with others?

CHAPTER 4: A LEADER USES SOCIAL MEDIA WISELY

According to one website, the internet has more than 4 billion users as of January 2019, out of
the total global population of 7.7 billion15. Besides, active social media users number 3.4 billion,
with each person having an average of seven social media accounts. Around 60 billion
messages pass through Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp every day. Even more amazingly,
Filipinos are the top users of social media in the world in 2018 with each person spending a
whopping 10 hours a day on the internet16.

The above statistics imply that today’s leaders cannot ignore the internet and social media. The
web is a potent medium of communicating both to our people and an external audience. In the
church context, social media can help the pastor keep all the members up to date on what’s
happening. Having an email or messenger group can facilitate spreading announcements and
sharing of news and documents. For external publics, the church website is an essential
gateway for them to know what we do and stand for. For example, in our church, some
members first learned of our existence through the internet.

Another way a leader can share his message through the internet is by uploading sermons
either on the church’s website or websites dedicated to sermons such as SermonAudio.com.
Our church was the first broadcaster of Tagalog sermons from the Philippines in SermonAudio.
We were surprised at the number of downloads from all over the world. This number is because
there are 10 million Filipinos scattered in almost all countries. For my edification, I regularly
listen to sermons through the internet. I have been blessed on numerous occasions by
preachers from other countries, even if I haven’t met them personally.

However, the internet and social media could also be a dangerous place for a naïve leader to
be. While social media can facilitate the spread of uplifting messages, it can just as quickly
spread inappropriate messages. We know how an impulsive email or post has damaged the

15
https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/amazing-social-media-statistics-and-facts/ Accessed 4/5/19].
16
https://www.rappler.com/technology/news/222407-philippines-online-use-2019-hootsuite-we-are-social-
report Accessed 4/5/19

27
reputation of a leader, not to mention his relationship with others. The leader must remember
that the golden rule still applies to social media— we should do unto others what we want them
to do to us. More importantly, in the words of the Lord Jesus, we should love our neighbor as
ourselves (Matthew 22:39). The lordship of our Savior extends to the virtual world of the web.

One thing a leader must be wary of is the trend to debate others through social media. Such
virtual debates can degenerate rapidly to name-calling and harsh words. I have heard of cases
where fellow believers bully and offend each other over doctrinal issues, which are not even
what may be considered major ones. It will be unseemly for a Christian leader to participate in
such disorderly activity. It will water down his logos if he is not walking the talk in this area.

You must remember that the internet is merely a tool that can help you propagate your logos.
Anything then that could muddle the logos should be avoided like the plague.

How then should we use social media? Below are some tips from, where else, but the
internet!17. According to churchleaders.com, some of the things to avoid are the following: don’t
tweet mostly about yourself, don’t retweet only things that say good things about you or your
book, your product or your brand, don’t crowd your social feeds with “check-ins” from all the
glamorous places you’ve been, don’t tweet or post something in a highly emotional state or
without taking time to consider whether it should be shared or not, don’t post important life news
on social media before communicating to your closest friends/family in person, don’t flaunt your
relationships by having public interactions on social media, don’t have awkward fights or edgy
back-and-forths in public. On the other hand, here are some positive things to do using social
media: promote the good, interesting, useful work of others; direct people to helpful resources
that aren’t produced by you, share things you know your audience will find valuable, say thanks
to people who say something nice to you or about you on social media, be positive, affirming,
uplifting, earnest (rather than negative, cynical, critical, ironic), let others talk up your books,
articles or products on social media, use social media to bless others: share Bible verses,
affirmative quotes, use social media to enhance communities but not replace them, quickly
communicate important and timely information (e.g., church’s service times), if you are a leader
or respected figure, respond to local or world events with a comforting, wise voice of authority.

On putting up and maintaining your personal and church’s web presence, seek a competent
professional to help you set up your website. Of course, the cost may be prohibitive if one gets a
top web designer. One alternative is to explore working with a brother or sister in the church
who may want to do this as a ministry.

Ideally, Christian leaders must seek to conquer the digital world in furthering his logos. As Al
Mohler observed, “Leaders understand that the digital world is a real world- a world in which we
are called to lead”18.

17
https://churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-how-tos/162435-24-social-media-dos-
and-dont-s.html Accessed 4/9/19
18
Mohler, p174

28
Discussion Guide
1. Is your leadership benefiting from social media? How?
2. What are your weaknesses in using social media?
3. How can you improve your social media engagement?

PATHOS-- A LEADER IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE LOGOS

Having a message is not enough. While it is the foundation of effective leadership, a leader is
more than his message. Even if one has a most compelling message, it is no guarantee that
people will be inspired to follow him. We only need to remember pastors we know who have the
best message in the world (the gospel), yet who flounder in leading his congregation.

Here then, is the second pillar of effective leadership— passion. An effective leader must
sincerely believe his/her message, and this must be seen in his/her passionate embrace of the
message. In rhetoric such as in preaching, this passion is denoted by the Greek word pathos.
According to Pastor Brayan Chapell, pathos is ”the emotive features of a message, including the
passion, fervor, and feeling that a speaker conveys and the listeners experience”19.

Passion is hard to define, but you know it when you see it. Some may think of it as excitement
to the cause, and indeed it is. However, it is not just outward excitement. Many people are
always excited, but their enthusiasm quickly fades away. In contrast, there are quiet leaders but
who are passionate about their logos. Passion cannot be equated to personality, as if some
people are naturally passionate. Some introverted people are just as passionate even if the
outward manifestation is muted compared to extroverts.

To be a passionate leader is to be wholly committed to the message so that the whole person
radiates such devotion. Passion can be seen in the way a leader speaks and moves. Passion is
visible in the way a leader lives his daily life. Others may observe it as love for the cause. We
see this in various arenas of life, such as in sports, academia, the military, or politics. In religion,
Christian leaders should be the most passionate of all people because of the logos they
proclaim.

Again, passion is not a short-term excitement about something. It is a long term commitment to
one’s message and vision. To a Christian leader, the genesis of such passion is love, love to the
Lord, and love to people. This reality is probably the reason why we associate passion with
those who are in love. Again and again, we see in the Scriptures passionate people because
they love the Lord. Paul was as passionate as they come. Why? For him, to live is Christ and to
die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Of course, to the genuine Christian, loving the Lord is a given.
Paul warned, “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed.” (1 Corinthians 16:22a)

19
Chapell, p42.

29
Repeatedly, we see how passion consumed God’s appointed leaders in the Bible. Faced with a
giant of a warrior, David’s words to Goliath before he fell him down with a slingshot dripped with
passion: “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in
the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1
Samuel 17:45). In the New Testament, no person is as passionate as Paul in spreading the
gospel to the Gentile world. Why? Here is his testimony: “For the love of Christ controls us,
because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died
for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died
and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

In his excellent book, “Leaders Who Last”, David Kraft wrote this: “Passion is contagious.
Passion will have more of an impact than personality. There is something compelling about
leaders who love what they do and do what they love. A leader like this has the power to ignite
enthusiasm and dedication in scores of others with whom he has contact. Life is too short to be
boring or mediocre. I am one who has always respected, admired, and looked up to leaders with
contagious and infectious passion.”20

The moment a leader loses his passion is the beginning of his decline as a leader. It may not
happen overnight, but it will manifest itself in little things at first. Later, such lack of interest will
become evident to his people, and they too will gradually loosen their grip on the organization.
The leader will coast along, perhaps with no better option in life, especially if he is in his senior
years. Others will suffer burnt out and will quit the race, a defeated person.

In the following chapters, I will present what makes a passionate leader.

CHAPTER 5: A LEADER RADIATES COMMITMENT

It was a long day, and I was fatigued. One of the members of the church sidled up to me and
asked if I could spare a few minutes to discuss something that’s bothering him. My inner voice
wanted to say no and head home to unwind. But I heard myself saying to him, “Yes sure,
Brother”. If you are a leader, you have faced different variations of such incidents. Leadership is
not for those who want to do the minimum amount of effort. Often, leaders are called to perform
beyond what is expected of the rank and file members of the organization. As someone once
said, "Without passion, a person will have very little influence as a leader."21

20
Kraft, p48
21
Michele Payn-Knoper https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/100-answers-to-the-question-what-is-
leadership.html Accessed 3/12/19

30
A passionate leader is 100% committed to the logos and vision of the organization. Such a
commitment can be seen in how much time and resources the leader commits to the pursuit of
the goals of the group. For example, a leader who is habitually late during meetings telegraphs
his lack of interest in the organization’s purpose. Conversely, a leader who comes to meetings
on time and well-prepared conveys the high value he places on their work.

Commitment is not merely following some rules. It is the willingness to go over and beyond the
call of duty. In the office, a committed leader is eager to take the extra effort to assist the team
cross the finish line of a challenging project. In the church, a dedicated leader is willing to spend
extra time to counsel hurting members. This is how Paul expressed his passion in building up
the Thessalonian church, “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each
one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls
you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). Note that he emphasizes each
one of the members of the church. He is passionate about all the sheep under his care.

Where does one draw that level of commitment? Several incentives in this world could spur a
person to give her 100% in leading a group. In secular work, earning more money has been a
powerful incentive that fortifies people’s resolve to work assiduously. This reality is the reason
why managers are given perks and privileges that progressively increase as one ascends the
ladder of success. For other leaders, the lure of power and prestige are irresistible forces that
enable them to give their utmost best.

However, for a Christian, such earth-bound incentives are at best peripheral. The Bible tells her
that the riches, pleasures, and honor of this world are transient (2 Corinthians 4:18). She knows
that ultimately there is no profit even if she gains the whole world but loses her soul (Mark 8:38).
Even non-Christians are aware that there is more to life than just money and material things.
They know that without work-life balance, the rat-race of life will become unbearable.

As a Christian, where should you draw the motivation to serve others? Paul was one of the all-
time great leaders of the Bible. He was willing to spend and be spent for others (2 Corinthians
12:15). He suffered horrible persecution on multiple occasions, at one time even being stoned
and left for dead (Acts 14:19-20; 2 Corinthians 11:23-33). Nearing the end of his life, he could
say, “I have fought the good fight. I have kept the faith. I have finished the race” (2 Timothy 4:7).
What kept him going amidst the most difficult of conditions? I think we can gain insight from his
confession.

On one occasion, Paul said that “the love of Christ constrains us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). In all that
he and his fellow workers did, there is one driving force, and that is the love of Christ for them.
In the same verse, Paul said that Christ died for all His people. In other words, a deep sense of
the sacrificing love of the Lord empowered Paul in serving Him despite the most intense
opposition.

31
Without a powerful motive, a leader’s commitment will sag under the constant stress that is sure
to come. For the Christian, it is only a deep-seated appreciation of what Christ did for her can
sustain her resolve to serve in the ministry or her other callings in life.

“The world is run by tired men”. That quote has been attributed to Winston Churchill, one of the
greatest leaders of the last century. But you don’t have to be a Churchill to appreciate what he
said. We might as well say that tired pastors run the church, or tired managers lead the office.
Leaders have to face the fact that there will be physical, mental, and emotional stresses that go
with the job. It may not be in the job description, but every leader is aware of what it is like to be
tired.

It is during such times that your commitment will be put to a withering test. There will be times
when you would rather quit. Times when self-pity may rear its ugly head and say, you have
done your part, and it’s time to call it quits. It is in such moments that a leader’s commitment to
his logos will be tested. For the Christian, the high calling of Jesus should spur her to persevere
in whatever organization she leads.

Recently, one of the offices I head underwent a major organizational overhaul. It took some time
to untangle certain nagging issues, and there were times when I got frustrated in the process.
There were nights when I was ready to give up. During such moments, I mused that maybe the
Lord was leading me to go somewhere else. However, I stayed on by His grace, and now I see
why. After undergoing the painful change process, the fruits are becoming visible in terms of
organizational vibrancy and focus.

But here we have to be careful. There is a commitment that leads a person to sacrifice more
important things in her life because of a desire to attain the goal of her organization. We have
heard of the many horror stories where a successful leader fails in the most critical aspects of
life.

For instance, a pastor can be so “committed” to the church that he reneges on his duties as a
husband and father. A mother can be a successful executive in a multinational corporation, and
yet her family life lies in tatters. Such a “commitment” to lead fails to recognize that God has
given us multiple callings, which we need to prioritize according to what He revealed in His
word. We need to pray that God will grant us a spirit of discernment in this area.

Discussion Guide
1. Assess your level of commitment to your organization and its message
2. Are you ready to exert extra effort to help others in your organization?
3. Are you able to maintain the right balance in your various callings?

32
CHAPTER 6: A LEADER IS AN OPTIMIST

Our church had outgrown our small meeting place a few years ago. Starting from eight
members in the early 1980s, we were jampacked in a chapel that could accommodate
comfortably no more than 60 people. I knew that we had to build a bigger worship hall if the
church was to grow further. However, there were no funds for a building construction project.
When I started floating the idea to the church, some members were skeptical that we could
raise enough money to build a new chapel. When I look at the numbers, things were indeed
bleak. However, I thought it was not impossible. We devised a plan where members could
commit some amount of money over time, no matter how small. We figured that if we can have
at least one million pesos of pledges, we could begin the project. We then set one Sunday when
we would open all the commitments. When the time came to open the pledges, we were
blessed to have more than a million. Now, we are using the new worship hall, and God has
blessed the decision to enlarge the meeting place of the church.

A leader will undoubtedly face difficulties, scores of them in fact, throughout his life. Well,
without problems, there is no need for leaders! So crises come with the territory. One essential
ingredient in navigating issues is a positive attitude. A leader who has a bleak outlook in life will
not inspire people to follow her.

What is the ground of optimism for a Christian leader? The world’s confidence is frequently
grounded on one’s abilities, achievements, or resources. In contrast, a Christian relies not on
herself, but on the grace that God provides. Paul can therefore say, “I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:9). That passage has been abused and misused by
well-meaning Christians. In the context, we learn that what Paul has in mind is the grace of
being content in whatever circumstance God had placed him. The general principle we can
draw from this text is that God will enable His people to do what He requires of them, even in
times of great difficulty.

Ultimately, the confidence of the leader is anchored on who God is. He is a faithful God who will
do as He promised (Number 23:10; Lamentations 3:22-23). Yahweh is the highest sovereign
and none can prevent Him from doing what He wants to do. The Lord will complete His
redemptive plan for fallen humanity precisely as He purposed. That is why Paul wrote the
following words:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those
who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also
predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the
firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and
those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(Romans 8:28-30)

33
Astoundingly, whatever happens to a Christian is part of God’s plan and will be for his spiritual
good. The passage above declares that all those who have been chosen by God will be fully
glorified on the last day when Jesus comes again.

What a great encouragement these truths are for a Christian leader. He doesn’t have to rely on
his native abilities. When things go “wrong”, and a situation seems hopeless, he can look up to
God for deliverance. The passage above does not mean that he will do nothing and wait for God
to do everything. Instead, as he uses the means that God provides, he commits the results to
God. Ultimately, success is measured by one’s faithfulness to God and not on the results
obtained. He may lose money because of individual decisions, but if he abides with his Savior, a
leader knows that God is pleased.

In the light of the above realities, a leader does not see his ministry as the end all and be all of
his existence. From the perspective of eternity, whatever happens to his leadership is not that of
a big deal. Thus, he faces disappointments with courage, knowing that such things are fleeting.
Even better, all that happens will eventually lead to the glory of God. With such a perspective, a
Christian leader cannot be but optimistic. Indeed, it will be harder to explain if someone who
holds such convictions is a pessimist!

Another encouraging truth from the Scriptures is that we abide in Christ even as He is in us.
Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will
be done for you” (John 15:7). Jesus abides in every believer through the presence of the Holy
Spirit in her life. This means that you are not alone in whatever difficulties you face in life. Every
leader will experience a sense of failure at one time or another. There will be trials that will
overwhelm her. In such moments, you can rely on the promise of Jesus not to leave us nor
forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Stepping in the shoes of Moses is not something that we would readily volunteer for. But that is
exactly the situation that Joshua faced. Moses had just died, and God has passed the mantle of
leadership to him. It must have been a daunting prospect to lead the people of Israel across the
River Jordan and in the conquest of the promised land. In the first chapter of the book that bears
his name, Yahweh repeatedly told the new leader, “Be strong and courageous.” Why? “Do not
be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9). The unfailing presence of the Lord is our strength. A leader can face the future
with hope because he is never alone.

However, such optimism is guarded by reality. Some of us tend to be overly optimistic. While
such an attitude can help start projects, a lack of realistic perspective will eventually cause such
projects to stutter when confronted with real-life constraints. Quite recently, in one organization I
lead, I benefited immensely from a colleague who showed me how to manage my optimism
properly. If you are like me, then having a co-worker who sees the other side of the picture is a
great blessing that could sharpen our leadership ability.

Discussion Guide

34
1. Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
2. Are you able to rally your people when they are down?
3. If you are easily discouraged, what Scriptural passages do you need to meditate upon?

CHAPTER 7: A LEADER PERSEVERES

The night before I wrote this, my fellow elder and I were talking to one of the budding leaders in
our church. I just shared with a promising young man the feedback of our church members to
him, an exercise we do annually. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and I see that he
could be part of our leadership team at some point. He has spent four years in a Bible school
and countless hours studying and honing his skills. However, he is newly married, and the
demands of supporting a young family test his sense of calling to the pastoral ministry. He
confessed to us that there are times that he is doubting whether he should devote his life to
serving the Lord as pastor. Thankfully, he was able to overcome those doubts as he remains
passionate about the work of the Lord.

Similarly, those of us who work in a secular setting can identify with times when we are not sure
we can go on in our leadership roles. Leaders are continually facing stressful situations that can
drain them. Thankfully, leading people more often than not brings its rewards.

A leader’s passion is not a passing fancy that easily dissolves under pressure. True passion is
not just about emotions that could dissipate at the drop of a hat. Instead, passion is all about the
commitment of the whole person to a cause more significant than oneself. Charles Spurgeon
once quipped that “By perseverance, the snail reached the Ark.”22

Not that a leader’s commitment will always stay sky-high. All leaders have experienced low
points when self-doubt gets the better of them. In some cases, after a great victory and when
the adrenalin wears off, a leader may feel the blues.

The prophet Elijah is a case in point. He was coming off from perhaps the greatest act of his
prophetic career. Before all the Jewish people, he challenged more than 400 false prophets to a
duel, and he won. In the dramatic account which we can read in 1 Kings 18, Yahweh honored
His name before the people through the burnt sacrifice offered by Elijah. The prophets of Baal
were humbled, rounded up, and killed. The evil queen, Jezebel, patroness of the idol Baal, did
not take the mass slaughter of the fake prophets lightly. She threatened to kill Elijah within 24
hours. When the message reached the prophet, he ran for his life, his tail between his legs. He
found himself in the wilderness, and he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O
LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”” (1 Kings 19:4).

Perhaps no other prophet is as bold and passionate as Elijah. Yet here he was cowering in fear
because of the threat of a woman. His experience shows that no person is immune from

22
https://www.forbes.com/quotes/1606/ Accessed 6/19/19

35
occasional attacks of fear and a sense of impotence. Under such circumstances, a leader must
learn how to persevere.

First, you must remember that God has promised that every true believer will persevere to the
end. In general, the Christian life is a never-ending battle against one’s sinful nature, the world,
and the devil. The Scriptures repeatedly proclaim that the outcome has already been decided.
All genuine believers will safely make it to heaven to be with the Lord forever. In his immortal
words, Paul confessed, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor
things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans
8:38-39). Being united to Christ, the Bible says that we are already seated with Christ in the
heavenly places (see Ephesians 2:6). In other words, from the divine perspective, the war is
over. We have won!

To the Christian, such an assurance can help put his earthly struggles in the right perspective.
Since the ultimate issue of life is secured, the things that happen in our ministry are relatively
minor compared to eternal life. If God has granted us the blessing of heaven, why will He
withhold lesser things (see Romans 8:32)?

Second, you must remember that while you rely on God’s grace, you must also exert effort in
meeting your obligations despite the hardships that surround you. In numerous cases, things do
not just happen automatically. There will be hurdles along the way that could derail the most
well-intentioned programs. There was a time when we in the office were preparing a significant
proposal for a donor. We were coordinating people who were in Kenya, Indonesia and the
Philippines. With cultural and time differences, there were times when the process was
frustrating. But having persevered, we were able to land a major contract to the jubilation of all
concerned.

Paul captures the delicate balance between divine action and human responsibility in
Philippians 2:12-13:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence
but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it
is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

It is God who works to enable Christians to desire and implement His will, but we have to “work
out” to show the fruits of our faith. Many Christians err at this point. Either they rely on God’s
sovereignty and do nothing. Or they exert maximum efforts oblivious to the God who controls all
things. The former could lead to a laid-back attitude in life or even laziness. The latter could
burn out a leader as he tries to take responsibility for many of the things he could not control.
By removing God from the equation, he severs himself from the source of power.

There will be times when the people we serve will lose heart. A leader must be the last person
standing, able to rally the people to keep on pressing.

36
One day, the young shepherd David visited his brothers in the battlefront to bring them supplies
from home. What confronted him was the sight of Goliath challenging the Israelites to a duel,
mano a mano. While King Saul and the rest of the army cower in fear, David accepted the
challenge, and the rest was history. By persevering in the face of enormous odds, David
inspired an entire nation to trust Yahweh.

But a caveat is in order there. I am not saying that we will always be victorious in the eyes of
people. Quite the opposite, there are moments when from a worldly perspective, a leader will
appear to lose the battle. Such was the case to many of the prophets in the Bible. Isaiah and
Jeremiah preached on a largely skeptical and even violent audience. Paul seemed to have gone
mad to the Roman leaders who tried him. The Lord Jesus’ life seemed to have ended in utter
defeat on the cross of Calvary. Once more, remember that success is persevering in the will of
God which at times maybe contrary to what others think.

Discussion Guide
1. What usually hinders you from completing your tasks and goals?
2. What Scriptural passages can encourage you to persevere in your tasks?
3. How can you balance reliance on God and working hard to attain your goals?

CHAPTER 8: A LEADER IS A SERVANT

Leadership guru, John Maxwell, wrote in his blog: What’s your highest calling as a leader? Well,
I believe it’s being a servant leader. I often teach that leaders ask the question, “Will I help
people?” But servant leaders ask, “HOW will I help people?” When you’re a servant leader, you
do so much more than just make people a priority. You look for specific opportunities to serve
them and help them reach their potential23.

The title of this chapter and the words of Maxwell may come as a surprise to some. In God’s
eyes, a godly leader is someone willing to take the meanest jobs. This is what Jesus told His
budding under-shepherds:
“You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and
their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But
whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first
among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45).

A leader who is passionate about his cause is more than willing to serve others to succeed.
Aubrey Malphurs defines Christian leaders this way: “Christian leaders are servants with
credibility and capabilities, who are able to influence people in a particular context to pursue

23
https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/live2lead-a-chance-to-serve-your-people-and-your-community/
Accessed 7/3/19

37
their God-given direction”24. Note the emphasis on servanthood as basic to the identity of what
makes a Christian leader.

Let me be clear at the outset of what a servant-leader is not. Such a leader is not a spineless
coward who is easily pushed here and there by people. This is the caricature that may come to
mind when someone reads about leading by serving. There is not a better Person to refute this
than the Lord Jesus Himself. He was “meek and lowly” (Matthew 11:29), yet He was a tower of
strength. He was never intimidated by the highest religious personalities in Israel and even by
the civil powers of the Roman empire. On the contrary, He held His ground against all comers
when it comes to defending the will of God.

So what does a servant leader look like in practice? First, a servant leader pursues the good of
others more than himself. Leaders of this world typically think of their welfare first before that of
others. Such leaders spend their time scheming how to advance their agenda and interests
even at the expense of his people. No wonder it is common for followers to view their leaders
cynically. They do not feel that their concerns are the priority of their leader.

In contrast, a servant leader spends his time thinking of ways by which he can help his people
attain their goals and alleviate their suffering. Just like their Master, they dedicate their lives to
pursuing the good of others.

Second, a servant leader serves. A godly leader does not think it below himself to be laboring
for the benefit of his people. At times, this may mean joining fellow church members in
arranging chairs in the worship hall or even washing dishes in the kitchen. Of course, such a
service is to be rendered mindful of the priorities of the leader’s life. For the pastor, his top
priority is prayer and the study of the Word, among others (see Acts 6:2).

Third, a servant leader is willing to make painful decisions for the good of others and the entire
organization. There will be occasions when this may appear to be against serving others. For
example, in our office, there are times when we have to talk to erring staff or even let a few go.
True, to those being disciplined, they don’t feel being served. In fact, such an action is intended
for their improvement. One has to remember that a leader serves the whole group and not just
individuals. For the sake of the group, a leader may make decisions that, even for the group
may look self-serving. Being misunderstood is one of the hazards of leadership.

In sum, a servant leader leads because he wants to better the lives of others. It simply means
applying the second great commandment in the area of leadership. Godly leadership is to love
others as oneself.

Discussion Guide
1. What differentiates a servant leader from other leaders?
2. How can the life of the Lord Jesus be a pattern for servant leaders?

24
Malphurs, p38.

38
3. Identify areas of your life where you can improve in serving others

39
PART III: ETHOS-- A LEADER LIVES THE LOGOS

The title of a blog in ChurchLeaders.com caught my eye, and so I read on. Here is what the
author wrote: “PreachersNSneakers is blowing up on Instagram right now. It started just a few
weeks ago with zero followers and now has over 136,000 followers as of today. It’s controversial
because it’s taking Instagram photos from celebrity pastors that they posted themselves, and
putting the price tag of the shoes they are wearing next to them. These pastors are wearing
shoes that cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 for a pair of shoes! A lot of people are
shocked. Some are outraged. How can these pastors wear such expensive sneakers? People
are calling these pastors false teachers. They’re calling them hypocrites, slamming their
churches, and saying that they’ll never tithe to the church again”25.

I am not one to judge those pastors who were caught wearing those shoes. But one thing we
must not miss is this-- a leader may have the right logos and is passionate about it, but he may
end up in mediocrity if his life is not consistent with his message. A leader’s life is the most
crucial pillar of effective leadership. Logos reveals a leader’s mind, passion unveils the leader’s
heart but action proves his total commitment to the message.

Sadly, this area has been the waterloo of countless leaders. In recent years, we have witnessed
the fall of one mega-pastor after another. They had the right message (the Gospel), they were
burning with zeal in preaching it, but their lives violated their message. Such stories have played
out in numberless churches and ministry groups.

In the political and corporate worlds, the same story is repeated with grating regularity. At every
level of a corporation or government office, there are leaders who mouth the official party line,
but their actions proclaim the opposite.

Studies and practical experience have shown that people follow the deeds, not the words, of
leaders. The leader’s life should be an example that his people would want to emulate. Paul can
therefore say, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

In an article in the Forbes Magazine website entitled, Why What You Say As A Leader Does Not
Matter, here is what Louis Efron has to say: “As most people know, “Do as I say, not as I do”
simply does not work around children… Like children, employees will quickly adopt their
leader’s behavior when it serves them best. If you tell someone you will do something, then
don’t do it, people will feel it is okay to do the same to you when the time comes. If you speak
poorly about others, are dishonest, or disrespect those around you, your employees will behave
the same way… Your words may be heard, but your actions as a leader are watched, judged,

25
https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/349736-preachers-and-sneakers-these-pastors-paid-
how-much-for-these-shoes.html Accessed 5/16/19

40
critiqued and emulated. The culture you model at the top of your institution will be the culture of
your entire organization.26”

Thus, a Christian leader’s life must show what it means daily to love God above all, and one’s
fellow humans as himself (see Matthew 22:37-39). In this section, we will explore what it means
to live the message. For the Christian, the whole Bible is her guide in life. So in one sense, living
the message is living what the Bible says. This little book will not exhaust all that the Bible says
about our character. What I will do is highlight key character traits from the Bible illustrated with
practical experience.

Chapter 9: Biblical Leadership Basics

As discussed briefly in the previous section, the basic requirements for church leaders (pastors
and deacons) are outlined in three passages in the New Testament: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-
9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4. Every ministry leader should take time to study these texts and seek to
model their lives based on the characteristics listed there. There are numerous books written on
these passages, and I urge the reader to get hold of some of them for further amplification of the
richness of these passages.

At the outset, it is worth noting that Paul says, “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he
desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1). If you desire to be a leader in the church or ministry, it is
something good in the sight of God. It is God’s will that godly leaders develop among His
people. It is His usual way to lead His people through mature men and women.

It is, therefore, no surprise that He gave us the key qualifications of prospective leaders. These
qualifications can be grouped into personal, family, relational, and talent qualifications of a
leader. Overall, a leader “must be above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2). That is, he must live an
exemplary life that is devoted to God. Of course, no leader is without fault, so God is not looking
for perfection. What Paul meant to say was that if you look at the leader’s life, there are no
glaring weaknesses that mar his character.

Personal Characteristics

Among the personal attributes of a Christian leader are spiritual maturity, humility, soberness,
financial integrity, self-control, and holy living. These character traits imply that a Christian
leader’s first obligation is to God. He is, first of all, a Christian before he is a leader. As such, his
primary calling is in the words of the Westminster Shorter Catechism to “glorify God and enjoy
Him forever”.

Concerns from multiple fronts usually swamp leaders. It is easy to fall into the trap of dealing
with the external and urgent while neglecting our life before God. Early in your leadership

26
https://www.forbes.com/sites/louisefron/2015/05/26/why-what-you-say-as-a-leader-does-not-
matter/#404752e78cd4 Accessed 5/31/19

41
journey, resolve not to put anything or any person between God and you. Start your day with
your devotions or quiet time. End your day in prayer. In between, be always communing with
your Lord.

Commit yourself to spiritual disciplines which are the means of grace that will lead to godliness.
In his excellent book “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life”, Donald Whitney listed the
following disciplines that the Christian ought to pursue: systematic Bible intake, prayer, worship,
evangelism, service, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning.27

Family Relations

Moreover, a leader must have a good relationship with his spouse and children. Paul said that a
pastor must “manage his own household well” (1 Timothy 3:4). His logic is that if a person
cannot manage his own family well, how much more the family of God? I will have more to say
on this topic in a separate chapter below.

Relating to Others

In relating to others, a Christian leader must be gentle, peace lover, hospitable, respectable,
and a good example. In a word, he must love her neighbor as herself. Human relationships are
what leadership is all about. As any leader can attest, it is easier to lead 100 sheep than ten
people (even if he has not been a shepherd!).

I have often marveled at the relational blind spots I sometimes have. There was a time when
one of my colleagues in the office was unusually aloof. I thought I had something to do with her
working relationship with other staff only to find out later that she was dealing with a traumatic
experience during one of our team building sessions.

Whether in the ministry or the office, dealing effectively with other people is always the main
challenge of a leader. Take for example what Paul included in his catalog of qualifications: “not
quarrelsome” (1 Timothy 3:3). A leader’s patience will be tested to the limits at certain times. In
some ways, a leader’s task can be a thankless job. Her motives can be misinterpreted by
others, which could lead to hurt feelings, even offensive words. Under such pressures, a leader
must not be quick to ignite a quarrel. At the same time, the opposite is also true. A leader must
not be quick to initiate conflicts. The Greek words for “not quarrelsome” in fact imply that the
pastor is not a violent person or bully. The pulpit (literally and figuratively) must not be used to
browbeat people who have offended the leader.

Talent Qualifications

For pastors, the one talent qualification is the ability to teach (1 Timothy 3:2). This requirement
is understandable because the main task of a pastor is to preach and teach the Word of God.

27
Whitney, D., Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life,

42
The general principle here is that leaders must possess the required competencies in their area
of service, whether in the ministry or the office.

Because of this need, my general advice to early-career young people is to prioritize additional
learning rather than salary. In their choice of jobs, budding leaders should prioritize work where
they will grow professionally even if the pay is lower. When they have gained superior
qualifications, they will be able to earn much more in the long run compared to those whose
talents have atrophied. Even beyond salary considerations, those who have sharpened their
abilities will be more satisfied with the quality of their work and life.

Before we end this chapter, I want to draw your attention to one trait of a leader that Paul
mentioned. And that is that a pastor must not be “recent convert” lest he is consumed with pride
(1 Timothy 3: 6). Leaders need the experience to mature. Paul did not give an absolute number
of age or years after conversion before a Christian can be a pastor or ministry leader. This is
because there is some latitude in this regard. The age of the church and the number of
members among many factors will govern the appropriate level of experience of its leaders.
Likewise, in the office, each successive leadership rung demands various levels of experience.
However, leaders must exhibit some degree of maturity compared to their people. It is a truism
that no church or organization can grow higher than the spiritual maturity of its leaders.

Discussion Guide
1. How are you growing in personal holiness?
2. How well do you relate to others?
3. In what ways are you developing your talents?
4. When would you consider a person mature enough to lead a ministry?

CHAPTER 10: A LEADER DEPENDS ON GOD

The plan was all set. My pastor friend and I agreed on a scheme for me to transfer to his church
to take over his pastoral role because he has a broader calling in God’s kingdom. Despite my
apprehensions over such a seismic shift in my ministry, I was ready to submit to the will of God.
We thought we had covered all the bases and so presented the plan to our respective churches.
The shock and vehement opposition of my church stunned us. Eventually, we had to scuttle the
idea because of stiff resistance from my church. Once again, God showed me that the best
plans of men are just that, plans. In the end, God’s will always prevail.

It is, therefore, no surprise that perhaps the most peculiar thing about the Christian leader is that
she does not rely on her abilities. Her logos is primarily that humans are unable to save
themselves and even do things by themselves. Every human being is a sinner who depends
alone on God for his salvation. With such a core message, there is no room for pride and self-
reliance.

43
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that a Christian leader merely waits for God to move and
does nothing in the meantime. On the contrary, he exerts all effort in all that he does in
obedience to the call of the Scriptures. However, he knows that the ultimate results and success
of all his work are in the hands of the Almighty God. Because of this, such a leader cannot but
depend on God for victory. A leader who radiates confidence in his own talents is turning his
back on the gospel he claims to believe.

I have learned this lesson the hard way, not just once, but so many times. There were times
when I felt I got things under control. Times when I thought my leadership savvy and intelligence
would be adequate to overcome specific problems. Well, in most cases, I discovered to my
chastisement how dangerous such thinking was. God has humbled me on countless occasions
so that I may learn this lesson the hard way.

Jesus did not leave us in the dark about this topic. He said that we could not bear fruit if we do
not abide in Him (see John 15:4). Unless we are united to Him by faith, all our efforts will be in
vain. Believing this, a Christian leader always depends on God for success.

I suspect that this is the Achilles heel of numerous leaders today. They assume, perhaps
unconsciously, that if they do their best, the rest will follow. I have observed many leaders in the
secular world who exude cockiness. Yes, they think they are the masters of the universe. Sadly,
such an attitude has also permeated Christendom. Not a few pastors preen as if they are God’s
unreplaceable gift to the church. No wonder, people praise the leader more than God.

What we need today are leaders who have seen their utter dependence on God. Men and
women who have been smitten by their sinfulness and brokenness. Leaders who daily see their
reliance on the Lord Jesus alone not only for salvation but also for the performance of their daily
duties.

Paul is an excellent example of what I mean. He testified that “But by the grace of God I am
what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any
of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

We see in Paul the perfect balance that we also need. Paul “worked harder” than most other
leaders. At the same time, he plainly declared that it was God’s grace that enabled him to do the
things he did. It is so easy to fall into one extreme or the other in this regard. Some say they rely
on God and does little to pursue their plans. On the other hand, there are those leaders who
work harder and think little of God’s role. They may once in a while pay lip service to their
reliance on God, but they basically think only of what they can do.

What happens when a leader depends entirely on God while doing her best in fulfilling her
obligations? Quite surprisingly, she experiences the power that God alone can give. Paul can
say that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). In the context,
Paul was referring to the grace of being content, whether in times of plenty or in times of want.
We can apply the same principle in the Christian life in general and in leadership in particular.

44
God can give us the grace to do all things He requires of us. Because the Spirit resides in every
believer, we can have the power needed to overcome all the obstacles that come our way.

There are moments when the leader will feel as if he is drowning with problems and trials. Our
enemy will continually find ways to discourage us. If we depend on our strength, there is no way
we can win over discouragements and disappointments that periodically comes our way. It is
only by relying on God more and more that we will be victorious.

How will you, as a leader, express your dependence on God? One concrete way is to be always
praying. A person who genuinely believes that God is sovereign in ordering all things that come
to pass will frequently be near the throne of grace. Commit all your plans and actions to the
disposition of a loving God.

CH Spurgeon once said, “The same God that ordains to give a certain blessing has also
ordained that we shall pray for it. We do not expect to change the will of God, but we believe our
prayer to be a part of his will.”

If you aim to be an effective leader, always start your day with prayer as you commit your day to
God’s enabling power. Throughout the day, pray without ceasing with prayers short and long.
End the day with a prayer acknowledging the workings of God in the day about to close.

Discussion Guide
1. In what areas of your ministry do you often rely on your abilities?
2. Why do you need to depend on God for the success of your ministry?
3. How can you grow in your reliance on God?

CHAPTER 11: A LEADER IS GROWING IN HUMILITY

I once read of a boy who was awarded a medal for being the most humble in class. A day later,
he was spotted still wearing his badge! As somebody once observed, when you thought you
have humility, you have just lost it.

All Christian leaders struggle with the grace of humility. This struggle highlights another
difference between a Christian leader and secular leaders. Humility is not always a desired goal
of the latter, although there are undoubtedly exceptions to this. In contrast, humility is
indispensable to the ministry leader. This requirement follows from our dependence on God
alone for success, as I discussed in the previous chapter. If success comes ultimately not from
our abilities and wisdom but from God, then we have nothing to crow about.

Our culture ingrains people from childhood with the idea that they have the power to do what
they want in life. While there is nothing wrong with encouraging the young to follow their
dreams, our society is overdoing it to the point that people tend to forget that God is the One
who determines the outcome of all things.

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This worldly thinking is opposite that of the Scriptures. One of the greatest leaders who ever
lived, the apostle Paul, said this of himself: “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be
called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:9). Just like Paul,
every Christian is always conscious that he is an unworthy recipient of God’s goodness. That is
why he is saved by grace alone.

The Bible is clear about the dangers of pride. The wise man of old wrote that “Pride goes before
destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Countless leaders had
imploded when their heads began to swell. Perhaps they had tasted success, and people
around them began whispering how great they were. Pretty soon, they believed the hype, and
they attributed their success to their brilliance. They then spoke and acted like they were
exceptional people. Soon they started belittling others and ignoring the counsel of faithful
colleagues. In the end, they stumbled over fatal mistakes that doom their leadership and even
their spiritual lives.

One of the greatest rulers who ever lived was King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon. His
empire extends from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. One day while surveying his
great city on the rooftop of his palace, he said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by
my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). Even
before the words left his mouth, the Lord humbled him. He became mentally deranged and
acted like a cow, eating grass in the field until he acknowledged the kingship of Yahweh.

Earlier, I mentioned that a leader must be ready to serve. A humble spirit is what underlies such
readiness to do menial tasks for the sake of the kingdom of God. A Christian leader’s logos
proclaims our total dependence on the mercy of God.

How can you as a leader, develop humility? The first step is to always remember that you are a
sinner saved by God’s unmerited love through the work of the Lord Jesus. We are sinners
destined to hell if God did not intervene to rescue us. As Paul noted, “it (salvation) is not of
works so no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:9). If you are always near the cross of Jesus, you will
remain humble.

Second, surround yourself with a few people who can tell you straight in the face if your feet are
leaving the ground. Such a person can be your spouse or selected church members. In my
case, I have been blessed to have a wife, Haydee, who can call my attention whenever she
detects the risings of pride in my heart. I have lost the number of times Haydee has warned me
whenever pride rears its destructive head in my life.

Third, seek God’s enabling grace in this area. We need to learn from our Lord what it means to
be meek and lowly in heart. Pray for His enabling grace as you resist pride in your life and
desire to grow in lowliness that befits your logos.

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Discussion Guide
1. In what areas of your life are you prone to pride?
2. What are the concrete ways by which you can grow in humility?

CHAPTER 12: A LEADER KNOWS HIS LIMITATIONS

They were supposed to contend for the championship when the NBA season began in 2018.
With their roster healthy, many were tipping the Boston Celtics to rule at least the eastern
conference. The leading superstar of the team was Kyrie Irving, who famously abandoned the
Cleveland Cavaliers (and Lebron James) weeks after they won their first NBA championship. As
I write this in May 2019 near the city of Boston, the Celtics were just eliminated in five games by
the upstart Milwaukee Bucks in the semi-finals of the eastern conference. They were a team in
shambles, the future uncertain. The season which started with so much promise, ended in a
whimper. There are undoubtedly numerous reasons why this happened. But one article in
espn.com caught my eye. The title says it all, “Kyrie Irving's failed leadership tells the story of
the Celtics' failed season”28. The author proceeded to narrate the inner workings of a franchise
whose leader repeatedly sabotaged the team, unaware of his effect on the rest of the players.

A Christian leader who does not know the limits of his abilities and giftedness is destined to fail.
An honest assessment of one’s skills flows from a humble spirit. If a leader genuinely believes
that he is a sinner and, therefore, full of imperfections, he will readily recognize his limitations
and seek to remedy them. Moreover, he will be open to the aid of others.

In the Old Testament, Israel’s first king, Saul, started with a bang. However, not long after he
ascended the throne, his real character was revealed. Among his many transgressions was that
he usurped the role of Samuel as a priest when he offered burnt offerings. He may be the king,
but what he did was exceedingly offensive to God. As a result, his kingdom was taken away
from him-- one more leader who sabotaged his career because he did not know the limits of his
mandate.

In contrast, in the book of Acts, we read the story of Apollos, a man who was both eloquent and
knowledgeable in the Old Testament (see Acts 18:24-28). However, there were gaps in his
knowledge about the Lord Jesus. When Priscilla and Aquilla corrected him privately, he was
humble enough to listen, and his ministry exploded.

All of us have seen leaders who, unaware of their limitations, stumble from one crisis to another.
A management principle has been invented partly to account for the prevalence of incompetent
managers. Called the Peter Principle after the person who coined it, it can be restated this way--
a leader rises to the level of his incompetence. Here is how it unfolds in an office setting. A
person who performs well is promoted to the next level. If he does well at that level, he

28
http://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26702069/kyrie-irving-failed-leadership-tells-story-celtics-failed-
season Accessed 5/9/19

47
continues to rise in the hierarchy of the organization until such a manager reaches a level where
he is no longer competent.

At the same time, it is also true that all leaders have their respective strengths and weaknesses.
In other words, each leader comes with a set of limitations, perhaps because of his upbringing
or educational background, among other possible reasons.

Given all of the above, a Christian leader must be the first to admit his weaknesses. There is no
point in refusing to recognize them. In most cases, the people we work with know our limitations
already. It is surprising how much people notice about us. For example, just recently, one of my
staff commented that I always wear a blue shirt during certain days! I didn’t even know I was
doing it.

Paul indeed acknowledged his weaknesses. Because of his many blessings, he revealed that
God gave him a “thorn in the flesh” which many commentators think is some bodily defect,
perhaps in his eyes. Three times Paul prayed that God would remove it. Maybe it was
compromising his effectiveness in the ministry, and so he thought God would grant his request.
But the exact opposite happened, and his prayers were refused. This was his account of what
God revealed to him and his reaction to it, “But he [the Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient
for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of
my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

To the Christian, our weaknesses are simply the channels by which we experience the power of
Christ. There is, therefore, nothing to fear when we see our deficiencies. We can embrace our
lack and commit them to God. Having lived with his thorn in the flesh, Paul can testify that
“When I am weak, I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10b).

What are critical areas of limitations a leader must be aware of? First, you must recognize your
talent limitations. As a new Christian, I immediately found out that singing in the choir was not
for me! Looking back, it was good that I realized that early on because I was able to concentrate
on a teaching ministry that prepared me for the role of a pastor. Of course, it doesn’t mean that
we will not seek to improve our talents. For example, as I regularly sang during worship
services, I noticed that my singing has developed over the years. Maybe not enough to join a
singing group, but at least I can now lead congregational singing when needed.

Second, you must accept your educational limitations. Most of us wish we could have studied
more or gone perhaps to a better school. As a bi-vocational pastor, I did not have the
opportunity to study theology in a seminary. For more than 30 years of pastoring, I had to self-
study my way through the ministry. At rare times, I feel insecure about this deficiency and wish I
could have gone to a Bible school. If this is your situation, accept that God so arranged your life
that you would have whatever education you need. Again, if you can improve your lot, try to do
so. But do not force it. Follow God’s leading in your life.

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Third, you must bow down to your bodily limitations. Whether you are young or old, our bodies
have natural flaws. As we have seen earlier, even the apostle Paul had his thorn in the flesh.
When I was a young pastor, I had some nagging illness that was not serious, but enough to
keep me conscious of the frailty of my body. Looking back, the Lord used such limitation to keep
me grounded and nip any risings of pride in my heart.

Fourth, you must accept the limitations of your resources. Whether you are working in a ministry
or some secular job, there is usually just enough for our daily needs. There could indeed be a
significant disparity in the resources available to Christian leaders. For example, a pastor may
envy the number of books in the library of another pastor. A dissatisfied and envious spirit is an
ever-present danger to be watchful for.

In sum, part of living the message of a Christian leader is a willing recognition of one’s
limitations in life.

Discussion Guide
1. What are the limitations that God has imposed on your life?
2. In what ways do you rebel because of those limitations?
3. Identify the means by which you can be more accepting of your weaknesses.

CHAPTER 13: A LEADER IS OPEN TO CORRECTION

George Whitefield was one of the most famous preachers of the 1700s. He was, in fact, the
mega-preacher of his time. Whitefield was instrumental in fanning the Great Awakening
throughout the American colonies. As might be expected, he received his fair share of
criticisms, some virulent. According to one account, “After receiving a letter of personal attack
he wrote one simple reply to its sender: “I thank you heartily for your letter. As for what you and
my other enemies are saying against me, I know worse things about myself than you will ever
say about me.” With Love in Christ, George Whitefield”29.

As we have seen earlier, a Christian is aware of his imperfections as a sinner. Being a fallen
sinner is a core message of his logos. As a consequence, he knows that he is prone to make
mistakes and even outright sins. He knows that as a sinner, he has blind spots that only others
can see. Thus, a Christian leader is open to the correction of others around him.

In theory, it seems a no-brainer that a leader should welcome any correction from others. But
the reality is usually far from this. We all have experienced the feeling of irritation that comes
from being corrected. The typical reaction is defensiveness and even anger. Such a knee-jerk
reaction is one reason that keeps leaders from blossoming to their full potential. By eschewing
the correction of others, they forego the chance to grow as a person and as a leader.

29
https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/evangelistsandapologists/george-whitefield.html
Accessed 5/9/19

49
The book of Proverbs contains many warnings against those who do not want to be corrected.
For instance, it says that “whoever hates reproof will die” (Proverbs 15:10b), and thus, “Better is
open rebuke than hidden love” (Proverbs 27:5).

Corrections often come in the guise of criticisms, as Whitefield found out. Therefore, how a
leader handles criticism will determine how far she will grow. First, remember that God is the
ultimate source of criticisms. Yes, the motive of the human critic may not be lily-white, However,
God is sovereign, and by allowing such a message to reach you, there is undoubtedly a vital
lesson for you.

Second, and because of the preceding, analyze whether the criticism has a factual basis or not.
This step will require tremendous grace and discernment, especially if the comment comes from
a known “enemy”. You, therefore, need to seek God’s grace through prayer that your eyes may
not be blinded by prejudice against the source of the criticism.

Third, If the criticism hits the mark, then seek to address it prayerfully and in a godly way.
Consult trusted individuals if you want a second opinion. Once you are convinced that the
comment against you has merit, then promptly seek to change your ways.

However, if there is no basis for the criticism, then you may safely set it aside. Sometimes,
people who criticize you mean well, but they just don’t have all the essential facts. So do not
always assume that such persons have ill will against you. There was a time that I thought I had
preached a fairly good sermon. Then one of my relatives who attended the worship service for
the first time commended my preaching afterward (music to my ears!). However, he added that I
lacked one thing—more jokes! I am not against occasional humor in a sermon, but I do not want
to use jokes liberally because I believe that they will dilute the sacredness of the Word of God. I
knew he meant well, but I did not follow his advice.

Our logos proclaims that all people are sinners. We should apply that message in our lives by
welcoming legitimate criticisms.

Discussion Guide
1. Recall the last time you heard someone criticize you. How did you react?
2. Reflect on your common reaction to criticisms
3. Think of ways you can handle criticisms better and more Biblically.

CHAPTER 14: A LEADER KNOWS HOW TO APOLOGIZE

One day, I was counseling a member of our church who I have helped several times before. We
have been together in the church for more than 20 years. The counseling was not going well as
I detected a rebellious attitude in the person. At some point, he charged me with some offense
that I committed against him through my words. I struggled in keeping an objective view of

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things as I try to remember whether I have said what he was claiming I did. Part of my struggle
was the possibility that I may have to apologize to him.

One of the most challenging things for a leader to say is, “I was wrong, and I apologize”. This
difficulty is especially real for someone who thinks that apologizing is a sign of weakness. If
there is no real offense committed, then yes, apologizing could be a sign of weakness. But if
one has genuinely sinned against another, then an apology is called for.

At its heart, leaders who do not apologize give in to their prideful spirit. A genuinely humble
Christian does not shrink from asking forgiveness if he has offended someone, even if that
person has a much lower position in the organization.

When confronted with a mistake, a leader usually goes on a defensive mode. She may try to
defend or rationalize her actions. It is common to pass the blame on others, even to the extent
of blaming the offended person (which adds insult to injury).

What is the leader to do when he commits an offense against another person? First, you must
seek the forgiveness of God. All sins are ultimately against God. Take the case of King David.
After his grievous sin against Uriah and Bathsheba, he cried out to Yahweh, “Against you, you
only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:4a). It may come as a surprise
that David said his sin is against God only. Imagine how the relatives and friends of Uriah would
react to that. Surely David sinned against Uriah by having him killed and for ruining his family.
But what David recognized was that sin is primarily a rebellion against God.

Second, you must ask the forgiveness of the person you offended. It is not enough to confess
your sins to God. Some think that doing so is sufficient to absolve them of their responsibilities
to others. However, the Bible is unambiguous that we have to confess our sin to the person
sinned against. Third, you must try to make restitution, if at all possible. You must seek all
possible avenues to address any damage your sin has caused.

At the same time, a Christian leader should cultivate a forgiving spirit. You must resist the
temptation of using your position to exact revenge on people who commit mistakes against you.
It is quite interesting that the Bible seems to emphasize more the need to forgive others than
seeking the forgiveness of others (see, for example, Colossians 3:12-13).

A pastor needs to have a reservoir of a forgiving spirit. How many times have we preached our
hearts out against certain sins or bad habits and then see members of our congregation do the
very things we warned against just minutes earlier?

In one of the most striking parables of the Lord Jesus, He told the story of a man who has been
forgiven of his massive debt by his master. However, that same person did not forgive someone
who owed him a much less amount. When his master heard what he did, he was naturally
incensed. “Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you
all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow

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servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he
should pay all his debt.” (Matthew 18:32-34).

Again, a spirit who seeks forgiveness and is ready to forgive is consistent with the logos of the
Christian leader. Jesus commands us to pray, “and forgive us our debts, as we also have
forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). We daily need God’s forgiveness, and so we must also be
ready to forgive the much lesser sins of others against us.

Discussion Guide
1. When was the last time you apologized to another person in your organization?
2. Assess how you typically respond to criticisms.
3. Identify the ways you can respond constructively to comments about you as a leader.

CHAPTER 15: A LEADER LIVES A CONSISTENT LIFE

A Christian Post article in December 2018 broke the sad news: “A Kansas City evangelical
megachurch pastor has been placed on an indefinite leave of absence as he seeks help at an
addiction treatment facility after confessing to a “moral failure” to his wife and church leaders.”30

Such news item occurs with numbing regularity so that people are hardly shocked anymore. We
don’t need to know the salacious details of what happened to that pastor in Kansas. But one
thing is sure-- something went wrong inside of him much earlier than its public expression.

Gordon MacDonald, in his insightful book “Ordering Your Private World”, writes this: “Our outer,
or public, world is easier to deal with. It is much more measurable, visible, and expandable... It
is the part of our existence easiest to evaluate in terms of success, popularity, wealth, and
beauty. But our inner world is more spiritual in nature. Here is a center in which choices and
values can be determined, where solitude and reflection might be pursued. It is a place for
conducting worship and confession, a spot where the moral and spiritual pollution of the times
need not penetrate.”31

Making our public and private lives consistent is an uphill battle. That is why an untold number
of leaders take the easy way out. We have seen leaders who are the paragons of virtue in the
office but mighty failures in their personal lives and relationships. Or ministry leaders whose
relationship to God has atrophied due to constant neglect, while projecting a confident aura to
the outside world.

30
https://www.christianpost.com/news/megachurch-pastor-fred-herron-enters-rehab-admits-moral-failing-
to-his-wife.html Accessed 5/10/19
31
Gordon MacDonald, Ordering Your Private World, p20

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Jesus calls such leaders as hypocrites. He reserved His most scathing rebuke to the religious
leaders of Israel whose public persona was at variance with their spiritual lives before God.
Why? Because of their inconsistent lives. ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For
you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead
people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but
within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27-28).

A leader will soon discover that the adulation of people and the taste of outward success can be
addicting. They give such a rush of pleasant sensations that he will soon be craving them more
and more. By neglecting secret spiritual disciplines, a leader may be able to do more and thus
reap more significant outward successes, at least for a time. Increasingly, he neglects more and
more his private life before God. And just like that, it won’t be long before what remains is but a
shell of his former self. The inner life has wilted, and slowly but inevitably moral compromises
begin to creep in.

How can a leader insulate himself from such inconsistencies before it’s too late? First, resolve
not to sacrifice your private relationship to God before the altar of success. Early in your
leadership responsibility, realize that your utmost priority is your life before God. Every first hour
in the morning must be spent praying to God, and listening to Him speak through His Word.
Before the rush of daily activities come flooding in, the leader must discipline himself to remain
in his closet first, alone with God.

In the Bible, we read this about Jesus: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still
dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35). If even
the perfect Son of Man rose early to fellowship with the Father, how much more we sinners who
are badly in need of grace daily. This fellowship is the most critical key to resisting the allure of
this world. If you are neglecting your time with God, stop whatever you are doing, and re-set
your life. No matter how painful, remove anything that robs your time with your Lord and
Saviour. If you don’t, you will become another statistic in the ever-lengthening list of leaders
whose career imploded because of “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life” (1 John 2:15).

Second, surround yourself with faithful brethren and colleagues who will warn you if ever you
veer off the righteous path. Give them carte blanche in rebuking you if necessary. One of the
chief causes of leadership failure is when a leader isolates himself from others. When he does
that, he removes opinions and ideas coming from multiple perspectives. A leader, just like any
person, has blind spots that only others can see. He, therefore, needs other people to warn him
of unseen dangers that lurk around the corner. Indeed, we have to remind each other and help
each other return to God if any of us fall into sin. Paul challenged the Galatian church in the
following way: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should
restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
(Galatians 6:1).

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In our church, I always found it healthy if there are at least two other persons that share the
leadership responsibility with me. I believe that this is the reason why a plurality of elders is the
New Testament ideal for every church. Admittedly, numerous churches do not have enough
qualified men to be pastors nor enough resources to support them. This lack of leaders was the
case in our church for many years, having started with only eight members, most of whom were
students. One thing we did to remedy the shortage of pastors was to let a couple of faithful men
share leadership duties with me. We met regularly to discuss church matters, and most
decisions were collectively made. I believe the Lord used such a temporary arrangement to
preserve our church during those early years.

Third, practice regular self-examination using the Scriptures as your standard. Humans have the
capacity for self-reflection that is unique among living organisms. This ability is God’s gift to us
so that we can correct our ways. Admittedly, such innate capacity has been significantly
impaired by the entrance of sin. But because of the indwelling Spirit, a Christian can probe the
inner recesses of his mind and heart. Paul can, therefore, say to the Corinthians to “Examine
yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5a).
Towards this end, keeping a diary or journal is one means you can use. Such discipline has
been largely neglected in this age of texts and emojis. I have been keeping a journal for
decades now, and God has used such discipline to grow my faith.

A Christian’s logos is about the Spirit’s power to change not just the outer person, but the heart
as well. Thus, a Christian leader must set the example of a consistent life. Yes, he is not perfect,
but a holy striving for consistency must be evident in his daily life.

Discussion Guide
1. Evaluate the alignment of what others think of you and what you know about yourself.
2. Identify areas of your inner life that is not consistent with your public life.
3. How can you give the topmost priority to your relationship with God?

CHAPTER 16: A LEADER KNOWS HOW TO USE POWER

When the end came for Pastor Mark, it was met with part shock and part sadness by the
Christian community. He was one of the most well-known mega-church pastors in America. He
was the chief architect of the famous Mars Hill church for nearly twenty years, building it up to a
14,000 people congregation. Recently, an investigation by church elders concluded that “Pastor
Mark has, at times, been guilty of arrogance, responding to conflict with a quick temper and
harsh speech, and leading the staff and elders in a domineering manner.”32

One of the most offending traits of a Christian leader is the abuse of power. Such an attitude is
so against the message of the gospel. The Good News is all about the helplessness of humans

32
https://religionnews.com/2014/10/15/exclusive-mark-driscoll-resigns-from-mars-hill-church/ Accessed
5/12/19

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in their salvation. God gets all the glory in the story of redemption. He is the Lead Actor in this
play, and we are the mere supporting cast. Thus, it is very grating to see leaders who proclaim
such a logos but act as if their prowess is the reason why people are being saved.

Since time immemorial, abuse of authority has been the plague of leaders. “Power tends to
corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” Lord Acton famously wrote. Christian leaders
must, therefore, be wary of how they use power. They should always bear in mind that Jesus’
followers aim to be servant leaders. Their model is Jesus, who came not to be served but to
serve (see Mark 10:45).

Peter challenged his fellow church elders to be “not domineering over those in your charge, but
being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). This exhortation implies that even in those early
church groups, there were leaders who succumbed to the temptation of abusing their authority.

How should a ministry leader view and use power? First, bear in mind that power or authority is
not evil in itself. It is God Himself who appoints people to lead whether in the church or the
secular context. A vital part of being a leader is the wise use of power. Paul urged the Christians
in Romans in this way, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no
authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1). All
authorities in this world ultimately emanate from God. Thus, God commanded Christians to
submit to state officials because He has appointed them. This submission is, of course, true as
well for church leaders.

Second, use your authority as a leader for the good of others. This is what servant leadership is
all about. You are given power so that you can pursue the well-being of the people you lead.
Unlike in the non-Christian world, you are not to use power to advance your agenda. In the Old
Testament, the prophet Ezekiel condemned the leaders of the nation in this manner: “The weak
you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up,
the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and
harshness you have ruled them.” (Ezekiel 34:4). In contrast, Paul personifies the servant leader
when he told the Corinthian church, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.” (2
Corinthians 12:15a). Paul was no power-hungry leader. He used power to serve others,
spending his energy and resources to build them up in the faith.

Third, ensure that there are checks and balances in your organization. Abuse of power
flourishes in a situation where the leader is not accountable to somebody else. There are
several ways this can be done. In the church context, a plurality of elders forms a natural buffer
against one person lording it over God’s flock. As mentioned above, in small churches, the
pastor or leader can make himself accountable to other members of the church.

The way a leader uses power tells a lot about how committed he is to the logos he proclaims. A
leader whose aim is to serve points to the Savior who gave His life that people may be freed
from the bondage of sin. In contrast, a ministry leader who is intoxicated with power negates the
very words that come out of his mouth.

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Discussion Guide
1. Reflect on how you have been using the authority you have in various contexts of your life
e.g. family, church, office.
2. Ask a close friend, colleague, or family member to tell you how they perceive your use of
authority.
3. Identify and implement ways to improve your use of authority.

CHAPTER 17: A LEADER LEADS HIS FAMILY

The title of the article caught my attention, “Why So Many Entrepreneurs Get Divorced” followed
by the subtitle “Why the start of a company so often spells the end of a marriage”33. This article
is a reminder not only that leading one’s company can lead to marital discord but also that
success as a leader does not automatically translate into success as a father or a mother. The
reverse is often true. There are many top managers whose family life is shambolic.

In the office, one’s colleagues do not always care that much about what happens to a leader’s
family so long as he delivers. In contrast, to the Christian, leadership always starts in the family.

As we have seen earlier, to aspiring elders, Paul has this to say, “He must manage his own
household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know
how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?” (1 Timothy 3:4-5). A
person who is not leading his family well is not qualified to lead the household of God. The logic
of Paul is simple—if one cannot even lead his own family, how can he lead the church of God?

In my decades of preaching, one crucial indicator I use every Sunday is whether I can preach
my sermon and look at my wife in the eye with a clear conscience. As a sinner, all of us are, of
course, not perfect. But can our families attest to our genuine desire to follow the Lord? This
desire includes a readiness to admit our mistakes and apologize to them if necessary.

There are untold Christian leaders whose effectiveness has been short-circuited by a sour
relationship with their spouses. I cannot underscore this point more strongly. If you want to be
an effective ministry leader, pray and seek for a godly wife. Grow in your relationship with her,
and you will not regret the time you invested in her. If you are already married, make your
relationship to your spouse your number one priority, even more than your children. Yes, that’s
right, even more than your kids. Many parents today concentrate so much on their children at
the expense of keeping the flame of love alive.

Do not misunderstand me. I am not advocating neglecting our children. Instead, my point is do
not sacrifice the health of your marital relationship for the sake of your children. It is not a zero-

33
https://www.inc.com/magazine/20101101/why-so-many-entrepreneurs-get-divorced.html Accessed
5/13/19

56
sum game. You can love both your spouse and your children. It's a matter of knowing the
proper balance. Next to my salvation, God’s greatest blessing to me is my wife, Haydee.
Without her at my side, I could not have attained whatever positions God has given me over the
years.

Moreover, you must prioritize your spouse even more than your ministry or work. It is easy to
crave for outward success at the expense of one’s marital obligations. We can also use God’s
work as an excuse to neglect our duties as husbands or wives.

A Christian leader must also take time to train and discipline his children. Paul said that
managing the household well includes proper training of children to be submissive to their
parents (see 1 Timothy 3:4). We live in a culture where kids are the idols of many parents. The
latter work hard for their kids and give them their hearts desire. Such children grow thinking the
world owes them whatever they want. Once these children leave home, not a few rebels against
their parents and leave the religion of their birth.

No success in the ministry or the office can compensate for failure in the home. So before you
aim for great things in your leadership role, make sure that you lead your family first.

Discussion Guide
1. Describe your relationship with your spouse and children.
2. Identify the areas you need to address to improve your relationship with your family.

BEHIND A GREAT LEADER… IS AN EVEN GREATER GOD!

Any study of leadership and its practice always carries with it the temptation to view leadership
as merely a matter of dos and don’ts. As if one’s success as a leader depends solely on one’s
effort. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

In the end, the sovereign God determines your success or failure as a leader. Many persons are
more intelligent and better prepared than others, yet they don’t become the leaders they
seemed destined to be. Quite surprisingly, those who are less qualified become great Christian
leaders. This surprising fact is because God wants to use the lowly things of this world to
humble the wise (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-28).

This reality has several implications. First, your dependence must always rest on the enabling
that comes from God. You can master every technique contained in this book and many other
books, but success may still elude you. This fact is because God is the one who determines
how far you can go as a leader. So while you attend to the means God has provided to improve
as a leader, your heart must not gravitate to these tools. You must remind yourself incessantly
that the fruits of your labor will emanate from the grace that comes from above.

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Second, be reminded that your first duty is to cultivate love and devotion to God. Your private
religion is non-negotiable. The Reformers call this communion with God. Having been united to
Christ when you were converted, your overarching aim must be to deepen your fellowship with
the Triune God. Leading others comes a poor second (if not third or fourth) in comparison to our
fellowship with our Creator.

Third, because God disposes of all things, we need not be discouraged by “failures”. From a
human standpoint, we may fail. But viewed from the lens of eternity, all things that happen to us
is for our spiritual good (see Romans 8:28). What encouragement to Christian leaders! In the
final analysis, we will surely be successful. All Christians will end up in heaven with their
heavenly Father and will thus successful.

Throughout this book, I have attempted to define success in the eyes of God. As we end our
time together, it is worth synthesizing what we learned. For a Christian leader, success is when
we obey God’s will for our lives. Success is when we become more Christ-like. Success is,
therefore, not measured in terms of popularity, wealth, or power. It is ultimately before you and
God. You may “fail” in the estimation of people but be hugely successful in the eyes of God.
There is no better example of this than our Lord Jesus. He died in a horrible and despicable
way, which shouts “loser” to all who saw Him on the cross that day. But at that very moment, He
cried “It is finished”. He succeeded in paying the penalty for our sins. He triumphed over sin and
evil and is now seated victorious, the most successful Leader in history.

So if you are someone who is just starting your leadership journey, fasten your belt. You are
about to start an exciting adventure, one that is a life-long discovery of who you are, and more
importantly, who God is. I promise you there will be tears, but blessedly, there will be much
more joys.

At the end of it all, may Paul’s words be ours too:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth
there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his
appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

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Acknowledgments

This book will not be written without the grace and empowering that comes to God alone
through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him alone be the glory!

My ministry experience was forged in the Trinity Bible Church, and their encouragement over
the years is one my greatest blessings. They will see several examples from our life together in
this book. One of my churchmates provided a constructive review of the book.

I am deeply grateful to my colleagues in the various offices I have worked on as a professor and
scientist. They have shaped this book in more ways than one.

My family has been the bedrock of my life and where I first learned what it means to be a leader.
Our grown-up children, son-in-law, and granddaughters are a source of pride and joy.

Next to my relationship with God, my greatest blessing is my wife, Haydee. Leading her, and
with her, is something I will eternally cherish.

Soli Deo gloria!

59
References

Aldaba-Lim, E., Jamias, E., Perlas, A., & Sucgang, R. (1967). A Cursory Study of the Lapiang
Malaya-Its Membership, Organization and Implications to Present Philippine Society. Philippine
Sociological Review, 15(3/4), 151-162. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23892153

Bock, Darrell, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, (October
1, 2007), 880pp.

Chapell, B., 2005, Christ-Centered Preaching, Baker Academic, Kindle Edition.

Kraft, Dave, 2010, Leaders Who Last. Crossway, Wheaton, IL, Kindle Edition. 144pp.

MacDonald, Gordon, 2003, Ordering Your Private World. Nashville, Tennessee, Thomas
Nelson, Inc., 298pp.

Malphurs, Aubrey, Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership,2003, Baker
Books, Grand Rapids, 336pp.

Maxwell, John C. 2002, Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know, Nashville,
Tennessee, Thomas Nelson, 114pp.

Mohler, R. Albert, Jr., 2012, The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles to Leadership That Matters,
Bethany House Publishers, South Bloomington, Minnesota, 241pp.

Sanders, J. Oswald, 2007, Spiritual Leadership: Principles Of Excellence For Every Believer,
Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 372pp.

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About the Author

Leadership Experience
• Preacher and pastor of the Trinity Bible Church in San Pablo City, Philippines since
1982
• As a full professor at the University of the Philippines, occupied various administrative
positions until 2004
• Country coordinator of an international research center from 2004 to the present
• The executive/scientific director of a non-profit foundation from 2012 to the present

Education
• Masters in Theological Studies (Christian Leadership), Midwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary, USA, 2019.
• Ph.D. in natural sciences, University of the Philippines, 1991.

Websites
• Trinity Bible Church, San Pablo City:
o http://www.tbcspc.org/
o https://rdlasco.wixsite.com/tbcspc
• Sermons in SermonAudio.com
o https://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=rlasco
• Scientific publications:
o https://scholar.google.com.ph/citations?user=VzBsC6EAAAAJ&hl=en

Family
• Dr. Lasco and his wife Haydee are blessed with three grown-up kids, one son-in-law,
and two adorable granddaughters

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https://www.logospathosethos.info/

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