




































EVAIA: International Journal of Ethics and Values, Volume 1, Number 2, October 2020 

 

 Ilarious                                                                                                         103 

 

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH: A CRITICAL 

EXAMINATION 

 

James Aruma Ilarious, PhD  

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria 

Email: jamesaruma17@gmail.com 

 

 

Abstract 

Spiritual Leadership in the Church is the art of motivating a group of people to 

act towards achieving a common desired goal. Spiritual leadership is nothing 

if not linked to collective purpose; and the effectiveness of the leadership must 

be judged not by press clippings but by actual social change, measured by 

intent and by satisfaction of human needs and expectations which on the long 

term will be visible on the Church growth and development. Spiritual 

leadership is about providing guidance and direction. It does not always have 

to be done from the front; and it is not an easy thing to achieve. Spiritual 

Leadership is the ability of someone who has the style, personal qualities, 

charisma, values, skills, experience and knowledge to mould consensus and 

mobilize other people to get things done together. Spiritual leadership is 

defined as the ability to gain consensus and commitment to common 

objectives beyond organizational requirements which are attained with 

experience or contribution and satisfaction on the part of the working group 

(Oluwasegun 2005). It can also be defined as the relationship in which one 

person /leader influences others to work together on related tasks to meet the 

leadership set goals. Spiritual leadership is a means of direction, the ability of 

the Church management to induce the subordinates to work towards achieving 

the group’s set goals with confidence and keenness. This paper is to critically 

examine spiritual leadership in the Church, the principles and characteristics 

of Church leadership. The findings of the study will indicate what the Church 

authorities need to do or incorporate into the system to ensure growth and 

development both in physical and spiritual dimensions. The research will also 

serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in 

carrying out further research in this field. 

 

Key Words: Spiritual; Leadership; Church; Critical; Examination 

 

Introduction 
Spiritual leadership is leadership that comes out of our life force, our human 

spirit which is nurtured by a connection to the Spirit of God. This force / 

power controls, inspires, sustains, empowers and strengthens our human 

faculties as we engage in Church ministry. Spiritual leadership in the Church 

has an important role to play in providing strategic direction for leaders and 

helping them foster commitment, shared aims and accountability. It fosters 

mailto:jamesaruma17@gmail.com


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 Ilarious                                                                                                         104 

 

agreed and shared objectives and vision, including clarifying roles and 

responsibilities. These are features of effective spiritual Church leadership. 

The fundamental goal of governing the Church will not be compared to that of 

other institutions or organizations. The Church is in the business of winning 

souls for the Kingdom of Heaven. The Church leadership is answerable to 

God. God has set the goals for the Church in the Great Commission: 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). Spiritual 

leadership establishes accountability on both spiritual and administrative 

matters of the Church. This is central to the purpose and function of Church 

governance and management which is important for effective Church 

leadership. 

 

With respect to Church leadership, it implies  one who shows the way, one 

who guides, and one who directs and one who reprimands and develops a set 

objectives along with the  group and resolves  individual or group needs as 

long as Church leadership is concerned. This is perceived as the only way 

towards Church growth and development. Spiritual leadership means building 

of relationships, the process of guiding, directing and commanding others to 

achieve a desired goal or vision.  

 

The real qualities of spiritual leadership according to Sanders (1987) “are to 

be found in those who are willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great 

enough to demand their wholehearted obedience”. True spiritual leadership is 

an internal quality of the Spirit and requires no external show of force. It 

requires exercise of self-control in times of testing circumstances and to 

muster faith and courage as not to forfeit respect and loses influence. Spiritual 

leadership is an embodiment of peace that recognizes the rights of every 

human being. It is much easier to keep the peace than to make peace where it 

has been shattered. An important function of spiritual leadership is 

conciliation – the ability to discover common ground between opposing 

viewpoints and then induce both parties to accept it. There are other qualities 

that detract from spiritual leadership, for example, an oversensitive and 

defensive attitude when checked or corrected. There is always an element of 

truth in such criticism, and self-vindication is an unproductive quality. An 

unwillingness to accept responsibility for failure, or the tendency to lay the 

blame at someone else’s door will forfeit confidence. 

 

While always aiming at excellence, the spiritual leadership should avoid the 

snare of perfectionism. The perfectionist usually sets goals quite beyond his 

ability to attain and then entertains a false sense of guilt because of failure to 

achieve. Setting more modest and realistic goals would bring great release to 

many an idealistic perfectionist. 

The vision of spiritual leadership is to prepare people to become faithful and 

responsible citizens for the nation, and his desire to lead them to receive 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         105 

 

salvation in eternity is of paramount to him. There are leaders in the Church; 

Pastors and bishops but not all are spiritual. Spiritual leadership is not made 

by election or appointment by men or any combination of men, not by 

conferences or synods. Only God can make them. Holding position of 

importance in the Church does not constitute or make one a spiritual, nor 

taking courses in leadership, or resolving to become a leader. The only 

method here is that of qualifying to be a leader. Religious positions can be 

conferred by bishops and boards, but not spiritual authority, which is the 

prime essential of Christian leadership. That comes – often unsought – to 

those who in earlier life have proved themselves worthy of it by spirituality, 

discipline, ability, humility and diligence, men who have heeded the 

command and dedicated their lives to serving God and humanity in whatever 

capacity and situation they find themselves. This study is aimed at critically 

examining spiritual leadership in the church, the principles and the 

characteristics of spiritual leadership. 

 

The Master’s Master Principle for Spiritual Leadership: 

Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 

and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all, (Mark. 

10:43-44).s 

 

Although Jesus was not a revolutionary in the political sense, many of His 

teachings were startling and revolutionary, and none more so than those on 

leadership. The term servant in the contemporary world today has a very 

lowly connotation, but was not so as Jesus used it. He elevated it, equated it 

with greatness, and that was certainly a revolutionary concept. Most people 

would have no objection to being masters, but servant-hood holds little 

attraction. 

 

Christ’s view of His kingdom was that of a community of members serving 

one another-mutual service. Paul advocates the same idea; “through love serve 

one another” (Galatians 5:13). This loving service of course, is to spread to 

the needy world around us. Jesus well knew that such another-worldly concept 

would not be welcomed by a self-pleasing world of men. But nothing less than 

that was what He required of those who desired to rise to leadership in His 

kingdom. 

 

Sanders (1987) says that the contrast between the world’s idea of leadership 

and that of Christ is brought into sharp focus in Mark 10:42-43:  

 

You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord 

it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it 

is not so among you. But whoever wishes to become great among you 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         106 

 

shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall 

be slave of all. 

 

This was a lesson James and John had not mustered. However, they took 

seriously the master’s promise: “Truly I say to you, that you who have 

followed me, in the regeneration when the son of man will sit on His glorious 

throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of 

Israel,” (Mathew 19:28).  

 

James and John in a selfish ambition used their mother in an endeavor to 

forestall their colleagues and preempt the prime positions in the coming 

kingdom. This is the common thing people even do today, placing relatives or 

even family members to key positions in their term of office as leaders. But 

Jesus would have none of it. There must be no lobbying for office. “You do 

not know what you are asking for”, they wanted the glory, but not the shame; 

the crown, but not the cross; to be masters, not servants. Their request 

afforded Jesus the occasion to present two leadership principles of permanent 

relevance. 

 

There is sovereignty in spiritual leadership: 

“But to sit at my right or left us not for me to grant. These places belong to 

those for whom they have been prepared” (Mark 10:40). Our emphasis would 

probably have been, “it is for those who have prepared themselves for it”. But 

Jesus emphasized the fundamental difference in leadership principles. “It is 

not so among you”. “Places of spiritual ministry and leadership are 

sovereignly assigned by God” (Sanders, 1987). The Good News Bible 

translation of verse 40 is: “It is God who will give these places to those for 

whom He has prepared them”. 

 

Therefore, no theological training or leadership course will automatically 

confer spiritual leadership to qualify one for an effective ministry according to 

Sanders (1987). There are some who have been given sound theological and 

leadership training, but are spiritually deficient. Jesus later told them, “You 

did not choose me, but I choose you, and appointed you” (John 15:16). To be 

able to affirm, “I am not here by selection of a man or the election of a group, 

but by the sovereign appointment of God.” This statement gives great 

confidence to the Christian worker or leader. 

 

There is suffering involved in spiritual leadership: 

“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism 

with which I am baptized?” (Mark 10:38).Jesus was too straight forward and 

honest to conceal the cost in the service of the kingdom. For the fulfillment of 

the stupendous task entrusted to Him, Jesus needed men and women of quality 

character with eyes wide open, who would follow Him to the death. 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         107 

 

 

To the Lord’s probing question, they returned the glib answer, “We are able”. 

Jesus told them that they would indeed drink the cup and experience the 

baptism. Again, they must learn that for an influential spiritual ministry there 

must be a steep price to pay – and that it cannot be paid in a lump sum. In the 

end, it cost James his head, and John finished his years in a concentration 

camp. This is cost of discipleship. Recently the CAN leader paid the price 

with his life, a true example of spiritual leadership of our time who refused to 

renounce Jesus Christ in the hands of his persecutors, the Boko Haram for the 

sake of fulfilling the covenant between him and his Master, Jesus Christ. 

 

James and John desired to attain leadership by “cheap means”, but Jesus’ 

words soon disillusioned them. The fundamental lessons that greatness comes 

only by way of servant-hood, and that first place in leadership is gained only 

by becoming everybody’s slave, must have come as a great and unwelcome 

shock. This is true because of many shameful things one may encounter in the 

course of his leadership to obey the master (God). This is a position some 

leaders would not like to venture into it because of becoming a slave for the 

sake of others or to suffer for their sake. 

 

It is noteworthy that Jesus once gave his disciples an example of serving as a 

slave; an example of true servant-hood when He washed His disciples’ feet, 

(John 13:15). And only once did Peter say He had left an example – and that 

was an example of suffering (1Peter 2:21). Thus, we see in this the thoughts of 

suffering and servant-hood are linked, even they were in the life of the Lord. 

 

Jesus, in stating that the primacy in leadership comes by way of primacy in 

servant-hood, did not have in mind mere acts of service, for those can be 

performed from very dubious motives. He meant the spirit of servant-hood, 

which He expressed when He claimed, “I am among you as He that serves”. 

 

Isaiah 42:1-5 is a Messianic passage which reveals what the spirit of servant-

hood means. These verses are quoted in Mathew 12:18-21 with reference to 

Christ. They outline the features that would qualify the coming Messiah as the 

ideal servant of the Lord. The nation of Israel and her leaders, though chosen 

by God, they failed Him dismally at every turn. However, where Israel failed, 

Jesus succeeded gloriously, and the principles of His life must be the pattern 

for spiritual leaders. Here are some of those principles: 

 

i. Dependence on God 

“Behold my servant whom I uphold” (Isa. 42:1a). This is a statement with 

messianic significance. Jesus, in fulfilling this prophetic intimation, 

voluntarily “emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:7), surrendering all privileges 

and the independent exercise of His will. Though possessing all the powers 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         108 

 

and prerogatives of Deity, voluntarily became dependent upon God, His 

father. Though Jesus upholds “all things by the word of His power” (Hebrew 

1:3), so fully did He identify Himself with the sinless infirmities of humanity, 

that in His manhood, He needed to be upheld. That divine paradox is one of 

the staggering aspects of Christ’s condescension. When we, in the same 

measure adopt same attitude, then, the Holy Spirit will be able to impact us to 

become servant leaders. 

 

i. God’s Approval  

The spiritual leader must be one that God has chosen and approved. “My 

chosen one in whom my soul delights” (Isaiah 42:1a). Gods’ approval of His 

ideal servant is highly reciprocated, for in another Messianic reference the Son 

says “I delight to do thy will, O my God” (Psalm 40:8).  

 

ii. Self-awareness 

Spiritual leadership should know their own strengths and weaknesses. 

Knowing yourself is so important. If you know your strengths, you will keep 

yourself focused on those things you intend to do. If you know your 

weaknesses, you will keep other people focused there. By not knowing 

yourself, you will try to do things you cannot do and you take on things you 

shouldn’t be taking on. Spiritual people know themselves. They are always 

quick to say, “I can’t do that! Someone else will have to do that because I 

know they will do it better. 

 

iii. Empathy in Spiritual Leadership  

The spiritual leader should display the spirit of empathy. “A bruised reed He 

will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguished” (Isaiah 

42:3). The Lord’s servant would be sympathetic and understanding with the 

weak and the erring. Failing men and women are often crushed under callous 

tread of their fellowmen; but not so with the ideal servant. Jesus was to 

specialize in mending bruised reeds and fanning the smoking wick into a 

flame. 

 

Many a times some leaders, even Christian workers, ignore those who have 

failed and “pass by on the other side”. According to Sanders (1987), such 

people “want a ministry more rewarding and more worthy of their powers – 

something more spectacular than bearing with the relapses and backslidings of 

frail humanity”; but it is a noble work to reclaim those whom the world 

despises. Peter’s wick was burring dimly in the judgment hall, but what a 

brilliant flame blazed on the Day of Pentecost. Peter’s interview with Jesus 

after resurrection put him on the right path of spirituality.    

 

 

 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         109 

 

iv. Optimism in Spiritual Leadership 

Fear and discouragement should not be associated with any spiritual leader. 

“He will not be disheartened or crushed, until He has established justice in the 

earth” (Isa. 42:4). God’s servant would not be discouraged. A pessimist never 

makes an inspiring leader. Hope and optimism are essential qualities for the 

servant of God as he battles with the powers of darkness for the souls of men. 

God’s servant would be optimistic until his full objective is achieved. 

 

v. The Anointing of the Spirit  

The preceding five qualities would be insufficient for the ideal servant of God 

to function. A touch of the supernatural is required, and that is supplied 

through the anointing of the spirit. “I have put my spirit upon him”. Jesus of 

Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power, and went 

about doing good (Acts. 10:38). The same anointing that Jesus received from 

God is available for anyone else who has prepared himself for it. “Until the 

spirit descended upon Him at His baptism, Jesus created no stir in Nazareth, 

but then events of world-shaking importance began to happen. 

 

Comparison between Natural and Spiritual Leadership  

 

Before going into the comparison between the natural and spiritual leadership/ 

leader, let us first try to understand in a general sense as to what is 

“Leadership”? 

 

Leadership in a general sense is the influence, the ability a leader possesses to 

influence others to the extent they accept to follow his lead. We can buttress 

this point by citing definitions from some men who have themselves wielded 

great influence on others. 

 

Lord Montgomery (1958) once a military leader defines leadership as: “The 

capacity and will to really men and women to a common purpose, and the 

character which inspires confidence”. In the religious realm, Matthew & Mott 

(1934), a world leader in student circles, defines a leadership as the “ability of 

a man who knows the road, a man who can keep ahead, and who pulls others 

after him”. On the other hand, Chandapilla (1980), an Indian Student leader, 

defines Christian leadership as: “A vocation where there is perfect blending of 

qualities that are both human and divine, or a harmonized working of God and 

man, given over to the ministry and blessing of other people.” 

 

President Truman on the political angle defines leadership as: “A person who 

has the ability to get others to do what they don’t want to do, and like it”. 

 

Sanders on his part seemed to agree that spiritual leadership is the blending of 

natural and spiritual qualities. However, according to him the “spiritual 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         110 

 

qualities are not self-produced but God-given, and therefore can reach their 

highest effectiveness when employed in the service of God (and humanity), 

and for His glory.” Although spiritual leadership partakes of those qualities, 

there are other elements that supplement and take precedence over them. For 

example, personality according to Montgomery is a prime factor in spiritual 

leadership. “The degree of influence will depend on the personality of the 

man, the incandescence of which he is capable, the flame which burns within 

him, the magnetism which will draw the hearts of men towards him”. Jason 

(2015) says “a strong leader in the non-church cannot simply walk into a 

church leadership role without possessing certain absolute spiritual qualities.” 

The person should first and foremost be called by God to lead. Without this 

supernatural and sovereign call, none can lead God’s people (the church) 

effectively. Secondly, spiritual leadership must have the power of the spirit 

flowing through him. Spiritual leadership is ultimately the Holy Spirit 

empowering a particular person for a particular task within the body of Christ. 

Sanders; “There is no such thing as self-made spiritual leader. The spiritual 

leadership should be able to influence others spiritually only because the spirit 

is able to work in and through him to a greater degree than in those whom he 

leads”. Marshall (1991) says that the spiritual leadership is the capacity and 

ability to deal with future. This ability or capacity to deal effectively with the 

future is called foresight. Foresight requires vision, in the sense of imaginative 

insight or ‘seeing’ with the inner eye. Vision according to Nweke (2018) is 

what which enables leaders to ‘see’ the possible future further and more 

clearly than others, to be better than others at identifying opportunities and 

possibilities, and knowing how to respond to forthcoming events or likely 

situations. Vision is an essential hallmark of all the great leaders. It marks out 

a Moses or a Joshua, a Samuel or a David or a Nehemiah. 

 

The question whether “spiritual leaders are born or made” attracts variety of 

answers from different schools of thought. But the consensus appears to 

advocate that the correct answer is, “Both”. This could be so because 

leadership according to Sanders 1987) has been defined as an “elusive and 

electric quality” that comes directly from God. On the other hand, it is clear 

that leadership skills can be cultivated and developed. Each person from birth 

has been endowed to possess skills that either qualify or disqualify him for 

certain tasks. These skills often lie dormant until some crises call forth their 

exercise. They can and should be developed. 

 

Some people appear to get into the corridors of power purely by reason of 

fortuitous circumstances. They happened to be available at the crucial moment 

and no one better qualified was on the horizon. But closer investigation will 

usually reveal that the selection was not accidental. Behind the scenes a 

hidden training had been taking place in the life of the person involved that 

filled him for the position. Joseph could be a perfect example. His elevation to 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         111 

 

prime minister of Egypt seemed to be purely fortuitous, but in fact it was the 

outcome of many years of rigorous, though hidden tutelage under the hand of 

God. The Bible says: “Joseph found favor with God, (Gen. 39:4-6, 21). 

 

Natural leadership and spiritual leadership have many points of similarity, but 

there are some respects in which they may be antithetical. This is seen when 

some of their dominant characteristics are set over against one another. 

Sanders outlines the difference between natural and spiritual leader as follows: 

 

Natural leader      Spiritual Leader  

i. Self-confident    Confident in God 

ii. Knows men     Also knows God 

iii. Makes his own decisions    Seeks to find God’s will 

iv. Ambitious      self-effacing  

v. Originates his own methods  Finds and follows God’s methods 

vi. Enjoys commanding others   Delights to obey God 

vii. Motivated by personal considerations  motivated by love for God and man     

viii. Independent     God-dependent  

 

It is to be noted here that testimonies of those men who have served God 

faithfully abound both in Biblical and historical records of the past as well as 

of the modern times. Tozer (1962) has this conviction: 

A true and safespiritual leadership is likely to be one who has no 

desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward 

pressure of the Holy Spirit and the pressure of external situation. Such 

were Moses and David and the Old Testament Prophets… I believe it 

might be accepted as a fairly reliable rule of thumb that the man who 

is ambitious to lead is disqualified as a leader. The true leader will 

have no desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, 

gentle, self-sacrificing and as ready to follow as to lead, when the 

Spirit makes it clear that a wiser and more gifted man than himself has 

appeared. 

 

The fact that spiritual leadership and authority cannot be explained solely on 

the grounds of natural ability is strikingly exemplified in the life of Saint 

Francis of Assisi, who on one occasion was mocked by Brother Masseo, who 

said: “Why thee? Why thee?” He repeated this over and over again. When 

Francis realized that, he asked him “what are you saying?” Brother Masseo 

replied “I am saying that everybody follow thee, everyone desires to see thee, 

hear thee, obey thee, and yet for all that, thou are neither beautiful, nor 

learned, nor of noble family. Whence comes it that it should be thee whom the 

world desires to follow?” 

 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         112 

 

When Francis heard these words, he was overwhelmed with joy and praised 

God with extraordinary favor. He then turned to Brother Masseo and said: 

 

Thou wishest to know? It is because the eyes of the Most High have 

willed it so. He continually watches the good and the wicked, and His 

most holy eyes have not found among sinners any smaller man, nor 

any more insufficient and sinful, therefore He has chosen me to 

accomplish the marvelous work which God hath undertaken; He chose 

me because He could find none more worthless, and He wished to 

confound the nobility and grandeur, the strength, the beauty and the 

learning of this world, (Burns, 1909). 

 

Saint Francis of Assisi was not highly a learned person, was very simple and 

humble. In the eyes of the world, was rated amongst the lower class of people, 

but the anointing of the spirit in his life was much more greater that enabled 

him to achieve greater things for God. That is what it takes one with spiritual 

leadership skills to sacrifice his life for the task. William Carey (1761-1834) 

who was credited as the “father” of the nineteenth century missionary 

movement has his motto: “Expect great things from God and attempt great 

things for God”. Spiritual leadership does not necessarily require learned 

people. Whether learned or not, most times they go extra miles because of the 

anointing God has put upon them for the task they should accomplish in His 

name. 

 

True and committed spiritual leadership in the words of Casey Treat (1989) 

are people who are not excited about their leadership, they don’t think about 

leadership or being a leader, rather, they think about where they are leading 

people. They think about their vision. They think about their goals. They think 

about their dream. They think about what they want to accomplish in life. If 

you ask, “Are you a leader?” they might say, “No! I am just a person who has 

a goal, a vision, a dream and I am committed to getting it done. These indeed 

are the true colors of spiritual leadership. 

 

Spiritual leadership is a dynamic reciprocal process of personal influence by 

which the leadership of the Church shapes the attitudes and activities of 

Church members towards the achievement of the Church’s objectives. Paul in 

the Pastoral Letters lists the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications for 

Church leadership to ensure sustainable development, growth and survival of 

the Church, (1 Timothy 3: 1-7).  These have remained the model for ages and 

they include: social qualifications and responsibilities; moral qualifications 

and responsibilities; personality qualifications and responsibilities; domestic 

qualifications and responsibilities; maturity qualifications and responsibilities; 

and mental qualifications and responsibilities. Space cannot permit us to begin 

to explain these one after the other. However, for any spiritual leadership to 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         113 

 

steer the ship – the Church successfully, these roles / qualifications must be 

imbibed. 

 

But experience has shown that a marked departure from Pauline list of roles 

and qualifications for spiritual leadership in the Church has really affected the 

growth of the Church. The level of understanding expected from both 

leadership of the Church and the followers is missing in most cases, and this 

has resulted in crises within the “Body of Christ.” 

* 

According to the New Testament, the terms “Bishop” and “Elder”are 

synonymous. Bishop means and “overseer”, and the elders had the 

responsibility of overseeing the work of the Church (Acts 20:17,28; 1Peter 

5:1-3). “Elder” is the translation of the Greek word Presbytes, which means 

“an old man.” Paul used the word Presbyteryin 1Timothy 4:14, referring not 

to a denomination, but to the “eldership” of the assembly that ordained 

Timothy. Elders and Bishops (denote same office Titus 1:5,7) were mature 

people with spiritual wisdom and experience to ensure spiritual decency of the 

Church of God. The word “Pastor” means “shepherd”, one who leads and 

cares for both spiritual and physical needs of the flock of God (1Peter 5:1-4). 

 

Misconceptions about spiritual leadership: 

Many a times, people conceive spiritual leadership as any ordinary leadership 

in the general understanding of the word. There is a clear demarcation 

between ordinary/natural leader and spiritual leader. Jesus’ disciples had this 

misconception on many occasions. For example, the request made by James 

and John the sons of Zebedee; “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at 

your left in your glory” (Mark 10:37). Again, on another occasion, the 

disciples came to Jesus and said “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of 

heaven?” (Mathew 18:1-4). 

 

Jesus in reply to these misconceptions from his disciples gave a clear 

instruction expressed in very precise but pungent words that need no 

grammatical analysis, (Akauni 2010). He began by referring them to what 

they all know: 

“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord 

it over them, and their high officials (leaders) exercise authority over 

them.  But not so with you,” (mark 10:42, 43). 

 

Here, Jesus first recognized the system of leadership among the Gentiles – the 

unconverted, the uncircumcised and the worldly. He drew a line of 

demarcation and a boundary that is not adjustable. The boundary between two 

kingdoms: light and darkness. One is of the earth, the other is from heaven. 

Jesus made his point clear. If you belong to the kingdom of light, you cannot 

stand on the other side. “It shall not be so among you”(KJV). 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         114 

 

True greatness in Jesus’ expression comes in serving others. Most businesses, 

organizations and institutions measure greatness by high personal 

achievements. That is the world’s way. In Christ’s kingdom, however, service 

is the way to get ahead – the task of the spiritual leader. The desire to be on 

top without first becoming a servant (slave) of all will hinder the purpose for 

any achievement. 

 

Peter, who was one of the disciples heard this message and expands in 1Peter 

5:1-4. Peter, by writing to the elders, identified himself as a fellow elder, not a 

superior and asked the elders to “be shepherds of God’s flock”, exactly what 

Jesus had told him to do (John 21:15-17). Peter was giving his own advice as 

he worked along with the elders in caring for God’s faithful people. His 

identification with the elders is a powerful example of Christian/spiritual 

leadership, where authority is based on service, not power (Mark 10:42-45). 

 

Peter describes several characteristics of spiritual leadership in the church:  

a. They should realize they are caring for God’s flock, not their own; 

b. They should lead out of eagerness to serve, not out of obligation; 

c. They should be concerned for what they can give, not for what they 

get; 

d. They should lead by example, not by force. All of us lead others in 

some way. Whatever our role, our leadership should be in line with 

these characteristics. 

 

Characteristics of Spiritual Leadership:  

According to Hyatt (2020), spiritual leadership has to recognize the value of 

imitating Jesus and His leadership style. Jesus Christ was not a manager. His 

primary role was to function as a spiritual leader. However, it is  true, of 

course, that you can have a leader who is also a good manager, or a manager 

who is a leader according to Marshall (1991), but the two functions are quite 

different and must not be confused. Management is essentially the 

stewardship of resources and its concern is with making the organization work 

effectively and efficiently. It involves itself with logistics, information, people 

and systems, it builds teams, controls budgets, measures performance, 

monitors progress, and initiates corrective action where needed. These 

operating functions are vital to the success of a venture but they have nothing 

essentially to do with spiritual leadership. These have to be entrusted into the 

hands of faithful god-fearing people, the example of the seven deacons (Acts 

6:2-4). 

 

We should note that, not all leaders in religious organizations are spiritual 

leaders. This is not a criticism as much as a distinction. Distinguishing 

spiritual leadership from other forms of leadership can free people from 

unrealistic expectations of some spiritual leaders. At the same time making 



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this distinction can help identify who the spiritual leaders in your 

organizations are. Here are six characteristics that identify most spiritual 

leaders according to Hyatt, (2020). 

 

 They lead others into their own encounter with God: 

One of the most effective things about Jesus’ life style was that He didn’t 

switch into another mode to introduce His disciples to the reality of God. 

Whether standing in the synagogue, picking wheat along the path, or 

interacting with the Father was so natural that others around Him could not 

help but do the same. Whether spiritual leadership is training a new employee 

or working through a difficult conflict resolution, the followers will discover 

their own connection to God and more deeply in the process. 

 

 They lead others to discover their own purpose and identity: 

 

Spiritual leadership is characterized by great generosity. A spiritual leader 

genuinely wants others to fully discover who they were made to be. 

 

Workplace issues and strategic development become tools to help followers 

discover their own identify and overcome obstacles standing in their way. 

People functioning in an area of their created identity and strength will always 

be more productive than those who are simply trying to fill a position or role. 

 

 They lead others into transformation – not just production: 

When the goal is spiritual growth and health, production will always be a 

natural outcome. People function at their peak when they function out of 

identity. Helping your followers discover that their own transformation can 

happen on the job will engender loyalty and a high level of morale. Spiritual 

leadership fosters passion in those who follow. Passion is the ingredient that 

moves people and organizations from production to transformational impact. 

 

 They Impact their Atmosphere  

While we may not stop a tempest with our words, spiritual leaders recognize 

that they can change the “temperature” of a room, interaction, or relationship. 

Changing the atmosphere is likely casting vision, only it is immediate. When 

there is tension, fear, or apathy, a spiritual leadership can transform the 

immediate power of these storms and restore vision, vitality and hope. A 

leadership that is Spirit-driven can fill a room with love, joy, peace, patience, 

kindness, goodness and gentleness, even while speaking hard things. 

 

 They help people see old things in new ways: 

Some people are stuck not in their circumstances, but in their perspectives and 

paradigms. The word “repent” means “to think differently, or to think in a 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         116 

 

different way”. Jesus called people to look again at old realities through new 

eyes. Changing ways of thinking always precedes meaningful change.   

 

 They gain a following because of who they are – not because of a 

position they hold: 

Spiritual leadership can be found in secular organizations, just as managers 

can be found in the Church settings. Spiritual leadership influence more than 

they direct, and they inspire more than they instruct. They instinctively 

recognize that they are serving something – and someone bigger than 

themselves and their own objectives. 

 

Spiritual leadership: Governance and Contributions to Nation Building: 

It is generally believed that religions play an important role in society. From 

the facts of history we are made to know that religiouns according to Abdul 

Aziz (2013) “are the foundation for major world civilizations. Religion also 

functions as the mechanism to diminish the constant dreadful rivalries among 

human beings. Through religious worldviews, individuals (adherents) should 

align their characteristics and beliefs to suit these worldviews.” 

 

Religion therefore plays an important role in the process of social and 

economic development. In most societies, especially in developing countries, 

religious beliefs strongly shape the political and economic institutions, and 

hence either hamper or spur overall development. Given this approach, 

Durkheim proposed that religion has three major functions in society: it 

provides social cohesion to help maintain social solidarity through shared 

rituals and beliefs, it provides social control and enforce religious-based 

morals and norms that help maintain conformity and control in society, and 

lastly it offers meaning and purpose to answer any existential questions. 

 

Religion, for Durkheim, is not “imaginary” according to Bellah (1973), 

although he does deprive it of what many believers find essential. Religion is 

very real; it is an expression of society itself, and indeed, there is no society 

that does not have religion. Believers perceive as individuals a force greater 

than themselves and give that perception a supernatural face. When we 

express ourselves religiously in groups, this according to Durkheim makes the 

symbolic power greater. Religion is an expression of our collective 

consciousness, which is the fusion of all our individual consciousness, which 

then creates a reality of its own. 

 

Having given this background let us then turn to the role spiritual leadership 

plays in order to make his contributions for nation building. Nation building is 

one area of earthly life where the church has been very much involved. The 

church has been able to go beyond the tripod of preach, pray, and complain 

when it comes to issues of governance in our nation. The word nation is being 



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 Ilarious                                                                                                         117 

 

defined as “a community of people with some common heritage”. The role of 

national institutions as agencies is to mobilize, aggregate and harness citizens 

and resources to do the will of God, and to ensure the common good of all. If 

this is well understood it then follows that great nations can only be built by 

Godly men, on Godly principles. Nations of the world including Nigeria are 

groping in darkness and backwardness because of absence of leaders with 

proper mindset, commitment and zeal to do the will of God by investing in 

human capital by promoting peace and development in every part of this great 

nation. 

 

Nations are built by her patriotic citizens, not by foreigners. As believers in 

Christ and as citizens of Nigeria, there are God-given responsibilities spiritual 

leadership should consciously execute as their own contribution to the 

building of our nation. 

 

Conclusion 

The need for spirited, talented, vigorous leadership in the church today cannot 

be overemphasized. The world situation of our time demands a strong voice 

from the church and this can come only from spiritual leadership guided by 

God, devoted to Jesus Christ and to their responsibilities as God’s 

representatives on earth. Sanders has made it clear that spiritual leadership is 

the blending of natural and spiritual qualities; and that even natural qualities 

are God given and their true effectiveness can only be reached when they are 

used to the glory of God. 

 

Churches grow and people are helped when the leadership is strong and doing 

the right things. It is always the will of God for churches to grow and to 

equally make their contributions to the overall development of the nation. 

Why some churches don’t grow is because the leadership is not spiritually 

equipped to spur both physical and spiritual growth level of the congregation.  

 

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 Ilarious                                                                                                         118 

 

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