Leadership is a core tenant of the Bible; it’s everywhere – From the Old Testament to the New Testament. Scripture paints the portrait of a leader, and you’ll see below why biblical leadership is more than just barking orders or climbing the proverbial ladder.

Servant Leadership: Flip the Pyramid

The gold standard of biblical leadership is servant leadership. Jesus lays it out plainly in Matthew 20:25-28 (NASB):

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.Matthew 20:25-28 (NASB)

Translation? If you’re in it for power and prestige, you’re doing it wrong. True leaders get their hands dirty, lift others up, and model humility. Jesus didn’t conquer by wielding a sword but by washing feet—an act that would’ve made even the most self-respecting first-century Jew gag a little.

The Character of a Leader: Walk the Talk

Biblical leaders aren’t perfect, but their moral compass needs to be pointed in the right direction. The Apostle Paul gives a checklist in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (NASB) for overseers (a fancy word for leaders in the church):

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.

The gist? Leadership isn’t about talent alone—it’s about character. No one wants a leader who’s brilliant at strategy but a disaster at self-control.

Courage and Strength: Leading from the Front

The Bible has a lot of “Don’t chicken out” moments. Take Joshua 1:9 (NASB), where God reminds Joshua (a leader with big Moses-sized sandals to fill):

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Leadership is scary. You’re making decisions, facing criticism, and sometimes walking into literal or figurative battles. Biblical leaders are called to press on, trusting that God’s got their back.

Wisdom: More Than Street Smarts

Leadership without wisdom is a trainwreck waiting to happen. King Solomon, known for being the wisest guy around (and also for marrying way too many women), prayed for wisdom instead of wealth or power. God rewarded him for it. As Proverbs 11:14 (NASB) reminds us:

Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.

Good leaders don’t go Lone Ranger. They seek advice, listen to others, and make thoughtful decisions. A foolish leader trusts only their own instincts—and it rarely ends well.

Accountability: It’s Not About You

I believe one of Jesus’ best lessons, and one of the most repeated, is how he held his disciples accountable. He needed to make them responsible leaders. Hebrews 13:17 (NASB) lays this heavy truth on church leaders:

Obey your leaders and submit to them—for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.

Leaders don’t just answer to shareholders or voters. In God’s playbook, they’re responsible for the well-being of those they lead. That’s a weighty job that should make any would-be leader think twice.

The Big Picture: It’s About Service, Not Glory

The bible is chock full of great points on effective leadership, one of the best in my opinion is Proverbs 16:12 (NASB):

It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness.

Leadership isn’t about securing your own legacy; it’s about doing what’s right, even when it costs you. History books might forget your name, but God’s accounting ledger won’t.

A Few Good Examples of Leaders

• Moses: He was a great leader but could also be seen as terrible delegator (until Jethro gave him a wake-up call in Exodus 18).
• David: A man after God’s own heart but blew it big time with Bathsheba. Yet, he repented and re-centered his leadership on God.
• Nehemiah: A fantastic example of prayerful and strategic leadership. The man rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls and rallied a demoralized people while dodging critics left and right.
• Jesus: The ultimate leader. Period. He loved, taught, served, and sacrificed—redefining leadership for all eternity.

So, What’s the Bottom Line?

Biblical leadership isn’t glamorous, but it’s powerful when it calls for humility, service, courage, and wisdom. It’s not about building empires or achieving fame but about leading with integrity and love. You might not get a corner office for it, the eternal rewards? I’d bet they’re worth it.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright ©, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org