Breakfast at Tiffany's: The highest theology for a Christian leader

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Romans 1:16a

Successful Christian leadership must be built upon a solid biblical foundation. Christian leadership that brings glory to God cannot be based solely on certain parts of the Bible or on human tradition. The foundation from which all Christian leaders should build their ministry is biblical theology with the gospel of Jesus Christ as its fixed point of reference.1

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the starting point from which Christian leadership is built. In “According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible,” Graeme Goldsworthy said, “The gospel is the word about Jesus Christ and what he did for us in order to restore us to a right relationship with God.”2 The mark of a true spiritual leader is that they have been miraculously transformed by the redemptive power of the gospel. Not only is the gospel infused with the power of God to save, but it also empowers the believer to boldly live, love, preach and suffer for the cause of Christ (Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:7-8). The gospel frees the Christian leader from a works-based ministry that applauds the efforts of man and instead continuously points to and glorifies God. Paul charged Timothy: “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace” (2 Tim 1:8-9a, KJV).

With the gospel as the starting point for Christian leadership, the minister can recognize Christ as the pattern of biblical theology which enables them to teach and preach effectively.3 With Christ as the pattern, the leader will see Jesus with God before he formed the foundations of the earth; “…which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began…” (2 Tim 1:9b). They will see Jesus as God’s manifest light and ultimate plan to save creation; “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (1:10). And they will see Jesus as the final prize when the trials of life are over and they arrive in their heavenly home; “ For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (1:12).

Leadership that starts with the gospel and recognizes Christ as the pattern of biblical theology lays the foundation for ministry that effectively fulfills God’s purpose on the earth: to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Goldsworthy said, “Jesus Christ shows us that biblical theology is about God bringing in his kingdom in which all relationships are restored to perfection.”4 Kingdom-focused ministry is effective ministry. It keeps the Christian leader attuned to how God reveals his nature and love for humanity through every part of biblical history. It brings the understanding that God loves humanity with an everlasting love, drawing them with loving kindness, and inspires the leader to love people with the same kind of love (Jeremiah 31:3). Then when people are drawn into their ministry because of the love of God through Christ, the leader can provide the new believer with a solid foundation that again starts with the gospel, shows them how Christ is the pattern of biblical theology, and makes them effective in reaching the world around them for Christ.

Therefore, Christian leadership should be built from a foundation of biblical theology with the gospel of Jesus Christ as its fixed point of reference. That is how a disciple becomes a leader and how a leader makes disciples.

1-4 Goldsworthy, Graeme. 1991. According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible. IVP.

(In The Word Ministries—based in Hollister, Missouri, and led by Pastor Aaron and Tiffany Gravett—offers thought-provoking video content and inspiring articles with a focus on getting back to the simplicity of God’s Word. For more content or to find out how you can get involved with In the Word Ministries Church and Bible Studies, visit www.inthewordministries.com).