Use Your Authority; Build Your People

As leaders in missional enterprise, following Jesus, the greatest leader of all, we are called to lead differently. But what does that look like in the context of everyday business leadership?

Yes, we know our enterprises must be founded on the kingdom values and principles of Jesus. We know the way we work and lead should be marked by the fruit of the Spirit. These principles are certainly transformative. Yet one lingering challenge is understanding how to think about the authority we have been given as leaders and how that authority should be used in everyday situations.

As always, we turn to the Scriptures, especially to the teachings of Jesus.

In Mark 10, Jesus says:

“You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

This passage is familiar to many of us. Yet when we think about it in the context of enterprise leadership, applying it can feel challenging.

We have heard much about servant leadership, and the concept is embraced even beyond the Christian leadership world. And it is easy to agree that “lording it over” others should be avoided. But what could Jesus mean when he criticizes leaders who “exercise authority”? Isn’t exercising authority essentially what leaders do?

Body Building

Perhaps thinking about physical exercise is helpful. When we exercise, one objective is to build up the part of the body being exercised.

Paul speaks about a similar idea in Ephesians 4. He says Christ gave various leaders to the church “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Paul makes it clear that Christ places leaders in position in order to build something up—the people Jesus has redeemed and is shaping into his likeness.

Looking back at Jesus’ words, perhaps the concept becomes clearer. We are not to “exercise authority” in the sense of trying to build up our own authority. That is not the goal. Instead, leaders are given authority by God so that they can build the people entrusted to them toward the purposes God has given.

The way of the world is for leaders to use people to build their authority.

The way of Jesus is for leaders to use their authority to build their people toward the purposes of Jesus.

The two ways of thinking could not be more opposite.

This distinction has profound implications for the way we lead our teams, make decisions, handle conflict, evaluate success, and think about influence itself. Jesus does not call us to abandon leadership or authority. He calls us to use whatever authority we have in ways that strengthen, equip, encourage, and develop the people entrusted to our care.

As leaders in missional enterprise, one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves may simply be this:

What am I building?

Am I building my own position, reputation, and authority?

Or am I using the authority God has entrusted to me to build people toward the purposes of Jesus?

In a future article, we’ll explore this idea more deeply by looking at leadership as stewardship and considering what it means to faithfully steward the authority entrusted to us by God.

Verse of the Week:

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (ESV)

Let’s end our reflection today with thanksgiving that our leader, Jesus, gave his life in service to us for our redemption. May he be glorified as we learn to lead as he does.