A Distinction Between the Gift of Leadership and Leading by Example

Abstract

Much has been written on the topic of leadership. The need to train leaders is as great now as it has ever been. However, we don’t want to take the search for leaders too far. As the church looks for leaders, there is danger of placing too much emphasis on the gift of leadership to the exclusion of other gifts and to the harm of those without the leadership gift. At the same time we have to challenge all Christians with the call that they have to lead by example. This does not mean that all Christians have the gift of leadership. It simply means that they are able to lead by letting their lights shine. This paper expounds on the distinction between leading by example and having the gift of leadership. It promotes a balance of attention to all gifts that God gives his people. It also encourages faithful training for all Christians to use their gifts first to serve the leader – that is, Christ.