Enhancing Your Leadership with a Focus on Faith
The Essential Role of Faith in Leadership
How do we stay focused on faith in leadership? It’s easy to get caught up in the events of the day. There are so many tasks and responsibilities that can distract us from what’s really important.
Where does faith fit into our day? Should it flow throughout every aspect, or should we set aside a certain time of the day to specifically focus on faith?
The Importance of Faith in Leadership
In chapter 11 of Hebrews, we read this statement:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation” (Hebrews 11:1-2, ESV).
Following this statement, the author uses an array of Old Testament forefathers to prove the commendable faith that was shown during their lives.
The Faith in Leadership Hall of Fame
Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame,” mentioning several notable figures from the Old Testament who exemplified great faith. Here’s a list of those people:
- Abel – “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts.” (Hebrews 11:4, ESV)
- Enoch – “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5, ESV)
- Noah – “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7, ESV)
- Abraham – “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)
- “By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.” (Hebrews 11:9, ESV)
- “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son.” (Hebrews 11:17, ESV)
- Sarah – “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11, ESV)
- Isaac – “By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.” (Hebrews 11:20, ESV)
- Jacob – “By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.” (Hebrews 11:21, ESV)
- Joseph – “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.” (Hebrews 11:22, ESV)
- Moses – “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” (Hebrews 11:23, ESV)
- “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” (Hebrews 11:24, ESV)
- “By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27, ESV)
- “By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.” (Hebrews 11:28, ESV)
- The Israelites – “By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.” (Hebrews 11:29, ESV)
- Rahab – “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” (Hebrews 11:31, ESV)
- Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets – “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets.” (Hebrews 11:32, ESV)
Note that all of these people were not commended for their bravery or ability to facilitate people or projects. These individuals are celebrated for their faith, and how they acted upon it, demonstrating trust in God’s promises and commands.
It was their faith that was the commendable attribute.
Integrating Faith into Your Leadership
A great leader must not simply have faith but have such faith as to be commended. Therefore, we should not simply work through our day without having some faith-based perspective.
Today, take a read through the rest of Hebrews 11. Consider the possibility that faith could be one of your commendable character traits.
Making Faith a Daily Practice
When completed, get serious about making faith a key part of your day. Set some reminders to bring faith into key projects that you may be working on, or the people you work with or oversee.
Bring faith into your daily life.
Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts
- How have you decided to bring the attribute of faith into your daily life?
- What challenges have you faced in integrating faith with your leadership?
- Can you share an example where faith positively impacted your leadership?
