The importance of responsible leadership
I was reading The Leadership Lessons of Jesus: A Timeless Model for Today’s Leaders by Bob Briner and Ray Pritchard, and one key lesson stood out to me: the importance of responsible leadership. In this chapter, Briner and Pritchard highlight a passage in the book of Mark when Jesus explains to His disciples that they must not hinder those who support the work of the Kingdom of God. Jesus goes on saying how it will be better for that person to die a terrible death by drowning than to cause one of these people to sin (Mark 9:42). For leaders today, myself included, the lesson is clear: we must lead responsibly, ensuring that those entrusted to our care are led on the right paths so that they will not fall into the murderous hands of the enemy.
I volunteer as a track and field coach at a high school where I get to teach, coach, and guide a small group of high schoolers every week. As I have been going about my duties as their coach, I am constantly being reminded of how tumultuous that age is. Still developing in all facets of life, young people are easily influenced and are in desperate need of responsible leaders who can guide them toward truth and maturity. Their behavior is often influenced by a wide range of sources that are not often in line with the ways of God. I find it difficult to be the type of leader they need at times, as I am not usually a contentious person. However, this chapter of The Leadership Lessons of Jesus emphasizes how crucial it is for leaders, like myself, to confront destructive behaviors when we see them. Allowing young people to continue in their wayward behaviors only encourages them to develop bad habits, which in turn become part of their character. Jesus makes it clear in Mark 9:42 that this is not acceptable and that the responsibility actually lies on the leader who allowed the little ones to fall into sin.
So, today, I am challenging myself to become a more contentious person. I am praying that God makes me as bold as I need to be to confront the bad behaviors when I see them, but also gentle and tactful when challenging these young high schoolers. And I pray the same for you in whatever leadership positions you fill. Whether within your family, your friend group, your work, or anywhere else, I pray that you would be bold for the Kingdom of God, keeping His little ones on track and in line with the truth of God. Amen.
