The Transformational Journey: Jesus as Transformational Leader

For our final installment on Jesus as a Transformational Leader, I once again want to quote from
Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer, authors of Transformational Church:

1.      Jesus embraced other cultures. Jesus embodied a cross-cultural gospel focus. He was not afraid or offended by the Samaritans. He went out of his way to talk with them and refused to give up when they rejected him. The heart of Jesus is for people, all people. It is illustrated by the life-changing conversation Jesus had with a woman at a well (John 4). The Holy Spirit birthed the church in a multicultural, multilingual environment.

2.      Jesus gave up his will. Jesus surrendered his will to the Father. A transformational leader is in tune with the heart of God. He is not confused about who belongs to whom. Jesus prayed shortly before his death: “…not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). We are not able to equal his work. But as transformational leaders, we must resolve to do whatever God requires.

3.      Jesus surrounded himself with [broken, hurting] people. Jesus was attractive to [broken, hurting] people. By offering grace and truth, [Jesus offered healing]. As much as we are sincerely driven to make our churches attractive, the most beautiful element of our churches is people enjoying a transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.

4.      Jesus’ vision was leveraged by prayer. Prayer is continually connected to the mission of God in the life of Jesus. Jesus explained the power needed for the harvest was found in the resource of praying. “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:37-38). The source for harvest workers is not in recruitment strategies, but in prayer.

5.      Jesus felt the needs of people. Why did Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus? (John 11:35) Simply because he grieved the loss of his friend. Jesus was a man who deeply loved others. He felt their pain. Jesus felt compassion because the people were “weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:35-37). Jesus cared for people who were hungry and afraid. He cared for the physically sick, the spiritually oppressed and the economically marginalized.

6.      Rather than ask ourselves WWJD, perhaps a better question is What Would Jesus Be? Before we seek to ignite transformation in our congregations (or presbytery), we might do a bit of self-reflection. As leaders, how would we rate ourselves? At which of these five actions are we most like Jesus and least like Jesus? How can we lean into our strengths? How can we invite and enlist those around us to help us minimize the damage we do because of our weaknesses?