Do you serve on a Church Elder Council or on a ministry’s Leadership Team? Then how that team works should be radically different from how the world conducts business (I wrote about the accountability needed in a church here). And yet, many secular mindsets worm their way into God’s work and is inconsistent with God’s Word. James 3:13-18 demonstrates the characteristics of those who value worldly vs. godly wisdom, but there is one verse (v17) that lays out 7 characteristics that should embody those who pursue Godly wisdom:
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17).
A Godly Leadership team isn’t perfect, but the overwhelming trajectory of the team will demonstrate:
1. Purity of Motives (“Pure”). A person on a Godly leadership team in pursuit of God’s wisdom has motives that are driven by the team’s values, not personal goals. Within their heart, they know they are not speaking to advance themselves, their causes, or their shadow agendas, nor are they positioning themselves for advancement.
2. Peace-Loving Spirit (“Peaceable”). Godly teams look for ways to tear down walls and build bridges. They find paths towards God-honoring compromise and, as much as the Scripture allows, protect the harmony of the relationships that exist around the table. They recognize that peace isn’t just good for getting things done; it’s the fruit of Spirit-guided decision-making.
3. Gentleness in Strength (“Gentle”). Leadership teams that prioritize showmanship, bravado, and swagger are the opposite of Christlikeness. Godly leaders possess strength under control. When dialoguing as a team, they can be direct, firm, and truthful while also being kind, loving, and compassionate.
4. Openness to Reason. A godly leadership team has forums for feedback, listens well, and stays teachable. Leaders welcome input, consider perspectives fairly, and are humble enough to admit when a new idea is better than their own.
5. Mercy in Action (“Full of mercy and good fruits”). A godly leadership team shows compassion, especially when mistakes happen. It uses these moments as opportunities for teaching and mentoring, rather than belittlement.
6. Impartial Judgment (“Impartial”). A godly leadership team avoids favoritism and deliberately shuns nepotism. They make decisions that benefit the entire church or organization, not just certain individuals or departments. When possible, they listen to different voices, value other people’s input, and consider every decision fairly.
7. Sincerity of Heart (“Sincere”). A godly leadership team communicates with honesty and transparency. When communicating, there is prudence about what can be said and when to say it, but they don’t talk out of both sides of their mouth. There are no hidden motives, political games, or backroom agendas, just straightforward leadership that people can trust.
What’s the outcome of these characteristics? A “harvest of righteousness”, lasting fruit for the cause of Christ, sown and cultivated in an atmosphere of peace. (James 3:18)