Christian Leadership Requires True G-R-I-T

The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. is full of instructions and examples of what God expects of leaders in the Church. A simple acronym summarizes many of these principles: G-R-I-T.

Grace—God's favor. A fundamental principle of Christian leadership is having God's grace. Grace can apply to God's unmerited forgiveness or to His favor. Without God's backing, our efforts become just human efforts. When we have God's favor, backing and blessing, we can more readily exercise His will. We are seeking first His Kingdom, looking to Him for guidance and desiring to serve others (Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
See All...; Psalm 32:8-9 [8] I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
[9] Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

See All...). Having God's favor requires humility. "God resists the proud, but gives grace [favor] to the humble" (James 4:6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
See All..., emphasis added throughout).

Relate. A good leader listens, relates and responds to others, considering their personality style, interests, perspectives and needs. A good leader is effective at adapting to others much like a chameleon. This can create empathy and insight. Paul instructed Timothy not to approach everyone the same. "Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. Honor widows who are really widows" (1 Timothy 5:1-3 [1] Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
[2] The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
[3] Honour widows that are widows indeed.

See All...).

Initiative. Effective leaders can spot what needs to be done and look to God and those over them in authority for guidance in accomplishing it. They take initiative even if they do not have a position or title and will not get the credit (Matthew 6:3-4 [3] But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
[4] That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

See All...).

The apostle Paul took initiative when following God's calling to go to the gentiles, making three extensive tours over several years. His determination helped him overcome many obstacles along the way (2 Corinthians 11:23-28 [23] Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
[24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
[25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
[26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
[27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
[28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

See All...). He also took the initiative of writing many letters to the congregations, writing more instruction that was later included in the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. than any other author.

Teach. Paul told Timothy a good leader is "able to teach" (1 Timothy 3:1-3 [1] This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
[2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
[3] Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

See All...). The foundation for what is taught needs to be based on solid biblical principles, not just personal preferences or opinions (1 Timothy 1:3-4 [3] As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
[4] Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

See All...; Hebrews 5:12-14 [12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

See All...). A big part of teaching involves setting a good example. Paul instructed Timothy, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
See All...). A good teacher must be teachable. Not a "lord it over" know-it-all, but a servant willing to take input, advice and help from others (Matthew 20:25-28 [25] But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
[26] But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
[27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
[28] Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

See All...; 1 Peter 5:5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
See All...).

When you lead, do you do it with true GRIT?