Choosing Leaders According to Christian Faith

Leadership in an institution, whether on a small scale or a large one, is very significant for that institution’s progress. Many people will place their hopes for change, well-being, and advancement on the leader of that organization or institution.

There are many theories about leadership, but not many combine leadership with personal life and the noble values that must be possessed. Therefore, blueprint or the plan of leadership must be seen not only from institutional managerial ability, but also from family and self.

The criteria of a quality leader, based on the considerations above, can be seen from 2 (two) things, namely: VALUES (value) that can be seen by the general public based on his actions, and PERSONAL QUALITIES that can be seen from the people around him. Let us discuss them one by one.

There are many theories about leadership, but not many combine leadership with personal life and the noble values that must be possessed by a leader.

Values That a Leader Needs to Have

1. Integrity

Integrity is when a person has the same character between what people see and what is inside that person. What the public sees is the same as what those closest to him see. What is spoken is also what is done. What is promised is also what will be kept. Morally, a person with integrity can be trusted because he cannot be influenced by money, sex, or power.

Simply put, a leader with integrity is a person who is honest, keeps what was promised, cannot be bribed with money, is not greedy for power, has high moral standards, speaks openly. He also steps forward as the responsible party when failure occurs without blaming others.

2. Discipline

A disciplined leader is a person who is determined to value time, someone who is committed to carrying out duties according to procedure, a person who works according to the targets or goals to be achieved, a person who has a clear line of leadership, a person who is firm.

3. Dedication

A dedicated leader is a leader who is not easily shaken by circumstances, does everything without calculating his own interests, does his work with great energy or with passion and high enthusiasm, but is also someone who consistently does something even though the results are not yet visible. This leader is someone who is not easily influenced to move around, but is loyal, faithful, and considers what he does to be a ministry.

4. Stewardship

A leader with the value of stewardship is a leader who realizes that he is only a manager of all assets that are actually not his, but God’s. When a leader has this value, then the way he treats money and power becomes different. He always thinks that the power he has now is not eternal, because he personally must be accountable to the One who owns that power, like the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.

Therefore he will exercise power honestly, transparently, without siding with a certain group, without showing favoritism to certain people or groups, even to his own family itself. He also always thinks that the money he has must be obtained in the right way, not by corruption.

5. Teamwork

Leadership that holds to the principle of teamwork is leadership that focuses on the involvement of all elements to achieve the goal together. Every element in the team must be empowered, improved in ability, supported, evaluated, and given proper appreciation. A leader with this principle will always carry out evaluation and accountability personally as well as in groups based on the goals or targets that must be achieved.

Personal Qualities

In addition to the noble foundational values possessed by a leader, below are personal qualities that a leader should also have. These qualities cannot be seen by the general public, but can be seen by the people around that leader.

1. Morally blameless

A good leader is a leader who has a good moral record This means he is not easily influenced, especially because of sexual attraction. Having a good marriage means having only 1 (one) wife and never having divorced. Because a good leader must be able to lead his own wife.

2. Having good quality of faith

What is meant here is a person who not only knows the principles of faith, but is able to practice them in a spirit of togetherness, tolerance, and appreciation for differences.

3. Having a Clear Mind

A clear mind is related to a person’s conscience. A person with a clear mind will not make decisions based on factors of like and dislike, let alone hatred. He will not make decisions based on mood, but based on the consideration of thevalue) he holds and clear standards, and in accordance with procedure.

4. Able to restrain himself

What is meant here is a person who is not temperamental, and can restrain himself even when in a very angry state.

5. Wise

This means that in speaking he will not cause controversy or misunderstanding in others. He always sees problems through a deeper lens and has the ability to empathize, making decisions that are more in favor of the welfare of many people.

6. Not loving money

This means not seeking financial gain for himself, the people close to him, or the group that supports him, but leading as an act of service.

7. Loving peace

This means giving greater priority to a process of peaceful, honest, and fair resolution based on the applicable legal principles and rules.

8. Able to lead his own family

A good leader must begin from the smallest element, namely the family. If he is not able to lead his own family, how can he possibly lead something greater? This means that every element of the family (wife and children) has alife style) that shows simplicity and respect.

9. Friendly

A good personal quality. This means not only in the form of a smile, but in the form that the leader can be approached. He creates a mechanism by which he can be reached even by ordinary people. He will not be exclusive with only a handful of people.