LEAD 510 Discussion Thread Comparing Biblical Leadership and Secular Leadership Approaches
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Feb 20, 2024
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Discussion Thread: Comparing Biblical Leadership and Secular Leadership Approaches
There is no lack of theories as it pertains to what it takes to lead effectively and efficiently.
After reviewing the various readings this week, how would you describe to someone the two major differences, from your perspective, between a biblical and secular approach to leadership? Please include support documentation for both the biblical and secular perspectives
The very first thing I would explain to the person is what leadership is. “Leadership is the art of guiding a team or organization through effective decision-making, setting a vison, motivating members, and achieving collective goals with charisma and integrity.”
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Then, I would tell them about that there is two different perspective people have about being a leader, either a biblical(Christian) or a secular(World) perspective.
I would then explain what the differences between a biblical(Christian) leadership and a secular(world) leadership perspective is. In our reading, it states that “Christian leadership, as the
name implies, is about following the example and teachings of Jesus regarding leadership.”
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Then, I would tell the person that a secular approach to leadership “can be defined as “leadership
without reference to religion or spirituality.” In other words, it’s a leader who focuses on earthly goals and doesn’t consider the afterlife or any type of higher power.”
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Basically, for me, the breakdown of what each perspective on leadership comes down to is one follows Jesus and the other follows the World’s view. To me, when I think of a leadership that does not follow how Jesus would lead is a leader who is focused on being successful, in the means of money or title, and not concerned about who they are leading. They only consider how to make the followers(workers) do what they say to make the bottom line. But for me, I always had problems working with leaders of that type. I always like those leaders who care about the followers(workers). I would then explain what the qualities that each perspective on leadership have. First, I would tell them that to be a biblical(Christian) leader you must have the heart of a servant, like Jesus has. In our reading, I resonated with the article “What is Christian Mentoring, and How Do I Do It?” by Chelsa Kight. I would tell the person that being a biblical(Christian) leader you have to have the mindset of being a mentor to the follower. I would tell them that this is an important thing to know about mentoring, “If you have a relationship with Christ, are living in community and are growing in your faith, you can come alongside others and point them to Jesus…In Christian mentoring, not only will the person being mentored grow in their faith, but the person doing the mentoring will grow as well.”
4 And if that person is a believer, I would tell them to keep that in mind as they are going to be a leader in this world, either in a church or a business sense. A difference I would tell them about is that a biblical(Christian) leader is focused on having good
character “such character acknowledges, affirms, and uplifts others, and people with this type of character consider others in their daily pursuits. They seek to enrich others as they seek to live out their life.”
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A secular perspective on leadership “tends to focus on professional development,
leadership skills, or guiding people into skills they want to grow in.”
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As seen in these sentences the major difference is one focuses on uplifting people and the other is more about teaching a skill.
I would let them know that another difference is that biblical(Christian) leader is they have a heart after God and want to glorify Him through their leading, but a secular(World) is more about
success of money or title and not glorifying God through leading. Another difference is that biblical(Christian) leader “let other leaders rise up in faith”
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rather than trying to control the people and not wanting them to rise up as leader themselves. A final difference is that biblical(Christian) leaders is they are “moved by wisdom”
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which they get from God and a secular(World) leader they lead from ambition, not God wisdom.
Finally, I would tell them to look into their heart to see what they feel would be the best type of leader they would like to be. If they are a believer in Jesus Christ, then I would tell them to pray to God and ask Him to fill them up with Jesus’s character to be able to lead like Him.
Footnotes
1.
Simplilearn, “10 Leadership Theories to Master for Managerial Success in 2024”(article in LEAD 510 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, October 11, 2023).
2.
Rod Dempsey, Dave Earley, & Adam Mcclendon, The Three-Dimensional Leader a Biblical, Spiritual & Practical Guide To Christian Leadership,
(Bellingham: Kirkdale Press, 2023), 1. 3.
Hidayat Rizvi, 2, November 2022, Secular Leadership vs. Christian Leadership: Pros & Cons of Each Approach,
Modern Leadership, www.hidayatrizvi.com
4.
Chelsea Kight, “What is Christian Mentoring, and How Do I Do It?” (article in LEAD 510 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, January 24, 2024).
5.
Rod Dempsey, Dave Earley, & Adam Mcclendon, The Three-Dimensional Leader a Biblical Spiritual, 23. 6.
Chelsea Kight, “What is Christian Mentoring, and How Do I Do It?” (article in LEAD 510 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, January 24, 2024).
7.
Jonathan Dodson, “Worldly Leaders vs Spiritual Leaders: 3 Key Differences”(article in LEAD 510 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, October 3, 2011).
8.
Jonathan Dodson, “Worldly Leaders vs Spiritual Leaders:”
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