Christ-Centered Leadership
Ron DeBoer
8/20/2010

A couple of months ago, the G-20 Summit took place about an hour’s drive from my house. You probably saw some of the footage on the news. Motorcades of world leaders flowed down the streets of Toronto and disappeared behind tall security fences erected to keep protesters away from them. You may have seen footage of the protesters as well. Many angry people from around the world showed up to voice their concerns to our leaders, as well express their dissent through violent acts. At the summit table, the world’s leaders attempted to communicate with one another about issues such as the environment and trade. It soon became evident that every world leader was and is governed by different philosophies, worldviews, and religious convictions.

While I was praying for the world leaders during that time, I got to thinking, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the twenty most influential world leaders sat down and started their day with Bible reading and prayer? Wouldn’t it be amazing if everyone on the globe subscribed to the same hope in Christ and were governed by a single perspective that informed policy, the environment, fiscal decisions, and peace talks? I discovered in my search for topical devotions at that time that Proverbs has some very specific passages aimed at world leaders. (As a new member of the Twitter community, I like to call them “Proverbs Tweets”!) Here is what Proverbs 16:10-16 says about leadership:

The king speaks with divine wisdom;
he must never judge unfairly.
The Lord demands accurate scales and balances;
he sets the standards for fairness.
A king detests wrongdoing,
for his rule is built on justice.
The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;
he loves those who speak honestly.
The anger of the king is a deadly threat;
the wise will try to appease it.
When the king smiles, there is life;
his favor refreshes like a spring rain.
How much better to get wisdom than gold,
and good judgment than silver!

I was once browsing a second-hand clothing and book store with my kids when I saw a man hurriedly rummaging through a pail of donated eyeglasses frames that was set on one of the tables. He would stir around in the pail, fish out a pair of eyeglasses frames, put them on, and then throw them back in the bucket, only to start the whole process over again. Eyeglasses frame after eyeglasses frame the man tried on, looked around the room, and then flung back into pail.

Sometimes I think not only our leaders but we ourselves live our lives like the man in the second-hand store. We look at the world through varying lenses, changing our perspective and worldview when the circumstance suits us. I don’t know about you, but I lack that consistent perspective and worldview in all areas of my life. I notice, for instance, that at work I sometimes put on different perspective glasses than when I’m working on a church committee. I will look at the world and express myself differently when I am with old college friends or with my family. Too often, I think my work and opinions are about me and my personal importance when, in fact, I am the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus on this earth. I need constant self-reflection about that.

Whatever our context, and in whatever situation of influence we may find ourselves in, our responses to the world, to people, and to our work has to be Christ-centered. John the Baptist has a great response to our role and Christ’s role in our lives. Answering his own disciples, who were concerned that people were now going to Jesus to be baptized and not to him, John the Baptist says in John 3:27-36:

“No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” (NLT)

That’s a “tweet” worth sending to everyone you know: “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” If only all our politicians and world leaders were guided by this notion! If only all of us were guided by this notion. If we did, the kingdom of heaven would come more quickly on this earth!

Ron DeBoer is an educator and writer near Toronto, Ontario. You can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/rondeboer16.