I’ve been pondering the following for self-reflection and as I coach others to be effective leaders:
Top 12 Essentials for a Leader Called by God
God’s way of leadership (very different than the world’s way) is rooted in servanthood, faithfulness, and dependence on God. Below are 12 key essentials for a leader called by God, along with Scripture references and reflective questions to help deepen understanding.
1. A Deep Relationship with God
📖 John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
🔹 Key Insight: A leader must prioritize an intimate connection with God before leading others.
📝 Reflective Question: Am I consistently abiding in God’s presence and seeking His direction in my leadership? Or do I go to other people and resources first?
2. Humility & Servanthood
📖 Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
🔹 Key Insight: Leadership is about serving others, not seeking personal power or recognition.
📝 Reflective Question: Do I approach leadership with a heart to serve, or do I seek personal gain and recognition?
3. Courage & Boldness
📖 Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
🔹 Key Insight: God calls leaders to step out in faith and trust Him, even in the face of challenges.
📝 Reflective Question: How do I respond to fear and uncertainty in leadership? Do I trust God fully?
4. Integrity & Character
📖 Proverbs 11:3 – “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”
🔹 Key Insight: A leader’s character matters more than their skills. Integrity builds trust and credibility.
📝 Reflective Question: Do my private actions align with the values I proclaim in public?
5. Wisdom & Discernment
📖 James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
🔹 Key Insight: God-given wisdom enables a leader to make sound decisions and navigate challenges.
📝 Reflective Question: Do I seek God’s wisdom first, or do I rely on my own understanding?
6. Teachability & Accountability
📖 Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
🔹 Key Insight: A leader must be willing to learn and be held accountable by godly mentors.
📝 Reflective Question: Do I embrace correction and guidance, or do I resist accountability?
7. Vision & Purpose
📖 Habakkuk 2:2 – “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”
🔹 Key Insight: A leader must have clarity of purpose and communicate God’s vision effectively.
📝 Reflective Question: Have I sought God for His vision, or am I pursuing my own ambitions?
8. Love for People
📖 1 Corinthians 13:2 – “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
🔹 Key Insight: Love must be the foundation of leadership—love for God and for people.
📝 Reflective Question: Am I leading from a place of love and compassion, or from pride and ambition?
9. Faithfulness in Small Things
📖 Luke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…”
🔹 Key Insight: God promotes those who steward well what they’ve already been given.
📝 Reflective Question: Am I being faithful in the small assignments God has given me?
10. Resilience & Endurance
📖 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
🔹 Key Insight: Leadership is hard, but a godly leader perseveres through trials with faith.
📝 Reflective Question: How do I respond when leadership becomes difficult?
11. A Spirit of Prayer & Dependence on God
📖 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
🔹 Key Insight: A leader must be rooted in prayer to receive wisdom, strength, and direction from God.
📝 Reflective Question: How often do I seek God in prayer for my leadership decisions?
12. Empowering & Equipping Others
📖 Ephesians 4:11-12 – “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
🔹 Key Insight: Leadership is not about doing everything alone, but about raising up others to lead.
📝 Reflective Question: Am I intentionally equipping and empowering others to grow in their calling?
Final Thought
A leader called by God is not self-made, but God-formed. Each of these essentials reflects the character of Christ. As you reflect on these qualities, ask God where He is shaping and refining you.
💬 Which of these areas is God highlighting in your life right now?
How can you grow in that area?
Dig Deeper:
The following quote references the importance of empowering young leaders:
“When individuals grow up without receiving affirming and encouraging words, they may internalize a sense of unworthiness or inadequacy. This lack of affirmation can breed insecurity and a fear of failure, as individuals constantly seek external validation to fill the void left by the absence of love. As these individuals mature and potentially ascend to leadership positions, their deep-seated insecurities can become obvious in their leadership styles characterized by fear and control. Motivated by a fear of rejection or failure, these leaders may resort to authoritarian tactics, micromanagement, or manipulation in an attempt to maintain control and avoid perceived threats. Thus, the absence of loving words in their formative years can contribute to the development of leaders who are driven by fear rather than by a genuine desire to lead with compassion, integrity, and empathy. How you speak to an individual and pray for them could bear more weight on our world than you realize.” (Source: ‘God, Show Me What You See‘)
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Merri Ellen Giesbrecht / www.merriellen.com
Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box 
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