Having looked at the subtle tactics of controlling leaders that can happen in Christian settings in the first part of this article, I have four suggestions for readers who may be able to shape leadership cultures and governance structures in churches and Christian organisations.

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1. We all need to examine our hearts for the attitudes that lead to such behaviours

If we are insecure, we need to trust in the Lord who holds us securely in His love. If we are jealous, we need to crucify the flesh and surrender again to the pursuit of His glory. If we are fearful of loss, we need to trust in the One who is our reward.

In place of worldly wisdom, whose hallmarks are “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” (James 3:14), we need to ask our Heavenly Father for heavenly wisdom (James 1:5) that “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). Worldly wisdom creeps unawares into Christian leadership if we do not guard against it. We need to be committed to integrity. [1]

2. We need to appoint to Christian leadership people of good character

Too often Christian leaders are appointed because of charisma or giftedness. Their character has not been tested and proven over time. Many have had no significant working experience outside narrow Christian ministry settings. They are appointed to leadership roles before they have shown the ability to manage a household well (1 Timothy 3:4), when they are unmarried or have no children or their children are young, and without any alternative responsible leadership experience. In the absence of good support and accountability, the risks of developing unhealthy patterns of leadership are significant.

This is not to deny that some single or younger leaders display remarkable maturity, or that some who have worked only in ministry contexts have deep wisdom. The point is simply that Scripture emphasises tested character, whereas appointment processes often prioritise dynamic personalities, public gifting, familiarity, and relational ease with existing leaders. It is a biblical principle that leadership responsibilities should be limited until a person has shown consistency of character (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).

Central to the New Testament descriptions of a leader’s character is self-control, exhibited in marital faithfulness, not loving money, and not being violent but gentle. Self-controlled leaders are able to resist the temptations to sexual, financial and governance malpractice and abuse that are the chief disqualifiers from ministry. This self-control is one of the nine flavours of the fruit of the Spirit – a list that begins with love, but it reaches its zenith in self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Christian leaders must be people who show consistency over time in the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Self-control is vital in Christian leadership because its chief aim is to glorify Christ, not self, and to do this through developing and equipping others, not holding power to oneself. A self-controlled leader will not dominate every discussion; they will be attentive to others and welcome their input. They will be happy to speak last or not at all and quick to share the limelight. They will not be boastful or self-aggrandising; they will be quick to acknowledge and praise the contributions of others. Their stories will make much of Christ and others and little of self. In short, self-controlled leaders love God and others.

3. Christian leaders need to seek and practise real accountability 

This begins with the individual leader. Unless a leader seeks out accountability, it will often be missing. Every Christian leader should have people who are not ‘yes men’ or ‘yes women’ who have been given explicit permission to challenge the leader’s decisions, reasons and motives. This should include people in oversight. A board must be comprised of people who understand their governance duties and are committed to fairness for everyone in the organisation not uniquely loyal to the key leader. But leaders will also benefit from external advisors who can hold them to account.

The necessary counterpart to these efforts from the leader is that accountability groups and supervisory boards must ensure good governance. They must not depend on the narrative or interpretations of an individual leader, but ensure they can hear directly from people under the leader. They must put in place sound policies for safeguarding, complaints, conflict of interests, grievances and whistleblowing and ensure they enact those policies fairly [2]. They must not allow senior leaders to have undue informal influence behind the scenes or around the edges of policies. They must be ruthless in declaring interests and ensuring conflicts are dealt with transparently. They must develop a culture where challenge is expected, motives are tested and people are not instrumentalised.

4. Christians must honour and pray for those in authority in society

Here we return to the story I began with. While Christians should pay attention to how leadership functions in the Church and in Christian organisations, we also have a responsibility to those in authority. This includes honouring them by submitting to them as commanded in Scripture [3]. The nature of this submission, the tensions it creates and the limits of Christian duty to submit are beyond the scope of this article, but I have written about them elsewhere [4]. Importantly, however, in modern democracies Christians may also engage more actively with these societal authorities by campaigning and or even entering into positions of authority. Perhaps we could encourage leaders as well, recognising how often they face discouraging ad hominem attacks, by speaking fairly about them and sending them messages of thanks.

Above all, however, Christians should do as the apostle Paul commands and pray for, “kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:2). We need to pray for Trump and Starmer, and other world leaders. We should pray that they will act wisely and with restraint. We must pray for an end to the current conflict and preservation of life. We can pray that rulers will understand their accountability to a Higher Authority and act justly. We should pray that they will permit freedom for Christians to live at peace and to share the gospel. But, above all, we should pray for their salvation. Self-control, humility and servanthood are possible, but, ultimately, they come only through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

World leaders are not a different species from us. They are fallen human beings like me and like you, with all the same temptations. As we observe them, we need to be discerning and avoid simplistic judgements. Donald Trump is right in at least one thing: Keir Starmer is not Winston Churchill. Nor should he try to be. He lives and leads in a different time and a changed world, and he must decide what he believes to be in the interests of his country and make decisions that are consistent with the values he holds. Donald Trump must do the same. Where they reach different conclusions, they should make their case without ad hominem attacks. Ultimately, their electorates will decide whether they agree with their policies and trust their leadership.

The temptations to use power for self-promotion or self-protection are part of leadership. Political leaders can be tempted to put the interests of self and party over those of nation and global harmony. Christian leaders can be tempted to put the interests of self and institution over those of Christ and the least of His brothers and sisters. Leadership that is genuinely selfless is rare, even in Christian settings. It has always been so. Among the apostle Paul’s associates, he singles Timothy out as the only one at one point (Philippians 2:20-21). We need more Timothys.

As we read the headlines we must turn to prayer. Prayer for peace and for salvation. Prayer for grace to hold on to hope when things seem so uncertain. Prayer for leaders to become like the Lord Jesus. But first, prayer that I might be like him in whatever leadership I exercise.

Paul Coulter, author, executive director of the Centre for Christianity in Society in Northern Ireland. This article was first published on the author's blog, Connected Christianity. If you would like to be informed when the Christian Leadership Integrity Commitments are released, please subscribe to this blog.

Other Resources from Paul Coulter

Honour, Fear, and Love: The Shape of Christian Faithfulness in Post-Christian Societies. Co-published by Christianity in Society, this book is based on 1 Peter and especially 1 Peter 2:17, the verse that gives Christianity in Society its values.

Does Power Always Corrupt? An earlier article in the Connected Christianity blog reflecting on use of power in relation to the Epstein files.

Christian Leadership Integrity Commitments. A set of ten principles to help Christian leaders understand and grow in integrity with accompanying policy templates and other resources.

Paul offers a consultancy service including mentoring, advice and research for Christian leaders. Find out more through his personal website: www.paulcoulter.net/consultancy.

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