Abstract
Today, books on leadership abound, and Christian leadership books are certainly no exception. In the mass market of Christian leadership materials, Michael S. Wilder and Timothy Paul Jones pose the question, “What if Jesus didn’t lead like Jesus” (Wilder & Jones, 2018, p. 3)? The question is designed to draw attention to the reality that some principles of leadership and modes of leadership—which may be helpful and applicable—have been inaccurately represented as Christian leadership. In response, they construct a leadership paradigm from a robust biblical theology for pastors that is authentically and holistically Christian.
As a foundation for their biblical paradigm of pastoral leadership, Wilder and Jones offer a concrete definition of leadership that focuses on the leader's identity and role in the community: “The Christ-following leader—living as a bearer of God's image in union with Christ and his people—develops a diverse community of fellow laborers who are equipped and empowered to pursue shared goals that fulfill the creation mandate and the Great Commission in submission to the Word of God” (Wilder & Jones, 2018, p. 16). Ultimately, Christ-centered followership or leadership through followership defines leaders as “first and foremost followers” who are “inseparable from the community” and who use delegated power for a greater purpose than themselves (Wilder & Jones, 2018, pp. 21–24).
This definition underscores three important factors related to the leader's identity as a follower first—“union, communion” and “mission”—that concern dynamics related to the leader's position, power, and purpose (Wilder & Jones, 2018, p. 20). The leader lives in union with Christ; therefore, the person endeavors to live a life of obedience that reflects the life of Christ. Consequently, leaders are relatable stewards of the community. The leaders’ union with Christ places them in communion with God's people who are all made in God's image. As a result, the power that accompanies leadership belongs to God and is to be exercised according to God's plan. Lastly, the mission of the leader is grounded in God's truth and his purposes for creation and the redemption of mankind. In short, the emphasis on union, communion, and mission shapes leaders into humble stewards of the church community who utilize delegated authority and power guided by God's truth and purpose.
After defining and explaining Christian leadership, Wilder and Jones go on to illustrate examples of leadership through followership in the Old and New Testaments. In doing so, the authors present an important motif: the shepherd leader. There are three essential functions of the shepherd leader. Jones explains, “God refers to his people as sheep and to their leaders as shepherds—a metaphor that places leaders among the people, personally sustaining and safeguarding the flock” (Wilder & Jones, 2018, p. 110). Therefore, the shepherd leader is (1) present, (2) protecting, and (3) providing.
Shepherd leaders cannot be distant but must lead from within. A shepherd leader “can never lead from a safe or comfortable distance. It is inconceivable to be a shepherd without living among the sheep” (Wilder & Jones, 2018, p. 110). Thus, a shepherd leader is present with his people as part of one community. The metaphor of shepherd also implies that leaders are responsible for “sustaining and safeguarding the flock” (Wilder & Jones, 2018, p. 1100. In doing so, shepherd leaders have an essential connection with the flock: “Pastors are brothers with the members of their congregations, called to cultivate the identities of their brothers and sisters in Christ as redeemed sojourners, living stones, and suffering servants” (Wilder & Jones, 2018, p. 175).
In the wake of The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast and other recent highly publicized moral leadership failures in the church and parachurch organizations, Wilder and Jones’ work impels one to reconsider how accepted leadership models, practices, and behaviors in the church have drifted away from true Christian leadership. They capture the profound and paradoxical biblical principle that Christian leadership is centered upon the humble commitment to surrender to Christ and follow first. The leader as a follower is the thread that ties Wilder's and Jones’ biblical paradigms of leadership together. One is reminded of the genuine humility and care for others that is so foundational to pastoral leadership. They also offer a sobering concept of power and how it is to be used by pastors and Christian leaders. The pastor does not possess intrinsic positional power but is a steward called to build their people into the very image of Christ to fulfill the mission of His church. Wilder and Jones redirect leadership away from hubris and charisma pointing to humble stewardship grounded in the pursuit of Christ.
They also move beyond the philosophical and offer a concrete relational and functional paradigm for leadership. The biblical shepherd motif is formulated into a workable leadership model for pastors. Therefore, the book offers not only a deep theological understanding of pastoral leadership but also a practicable model for leadership that can equip pastors to lead as followers of Christ and authentic Christian leaders. The book is helpful for Christian scholars, seasoned pastors, and pastors in training who desire to be authentic Christian leaders.
In fact, in this time of highly publicized moral leadership failures, seminaries and churches should truly appreciate a book that calls professors, tenured pastors, and seminary students back to the essence of Christian leadership, following Christ first. This sobering reminder is perhaps needed at all these levels. The Bible warns of the danger of leadership and power to fallen humanity predisposed to sin and sin blindness, and Wilder and Jones provide a journey that can help any Christian leader avoid the dangerous path that ends in pride and moral failure. While Wilder and Jones are not writing to avoid moral failures, their pastoral leadership can do just that by reminding Christian leaders of what it is to truly be one of Christ's shepherds.
Lastly, while Wilder and Jones are primarily writing to pastors and Christian leaders in the church, their book captures timeless and applicable biblical principles of leadership. As a result, the book can be helpful for leaders in multiple contexts. In fact, I applied their leadership principles to build an ethical leadership model for police leaders to combat the harmful tendencies of the police subculture that can lead to police brutality. Clearly, the book offers a wide appeal to leaders in many contexts.