Transformational Leadership Via Jesus.

I was chatting with my mentor this week, and the focus was on transformational leadership. How does one move a follower toward the position of leader?

I think consensus among all Christians, is that Jesus is the author of transformation.

Looking at Jesus leadership, and specifically how he raised up his disciples to become the leaders of His church, two words surface: Desire & Ability

Jesus Had The Desire

Looking at Jesus’ example, 12 men followed him for three years as He taught, healed, performed miracles and challenged the status quo. These men, the Disciples, were consistent followers of Jesus. But Jesus was calling them to leadership.

The most notable, Jesus’ words to Peter in Matthew 16 speak to His desire for future leadership:

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Mt. 16:18-19)

Jesus, being fully God, chose to leave the leadership of His church in human hands. Not all of them led to the same degree and one actually betrayed Him in the end. However, Jesus had a desire to transform these followers into leaders.

Do We Have The Desire?

Are we okay with giving the keys to our ‘kingdom’ (so to speak) to someone else? Are we okay with handing over our legacy, to someone who might do it differently, or maybe even screw it up from time to time? If not, we need to get there!

We have to want to transform our followers into leaders. This speaks so clearly to ego. If being followed is more important to us, than the multiplication of leadership, there’s a serious problem.

We have to have the desire.

Jesus Had The Ability

Seeing this subtitle, you might be thinking, “Well of course Jesus had the ability!” And you’d be right. Jesus, being fully man and yet fully God, has all the abilities needed to transform followers into leaders.

More the reason to learn from Him!

As followers of Jesus, we need to capture these abilities. His power and His practices seen in His work through us, creating in us transformational leadership.

Transforming followers into leaders, the way Jesus did, means capturing His patience and His process:

1. Challenging a follower to step up and be courageous.
2. Helping the follower when they fail.
3. Reaffirming the follower that they are more than capable.

The best example can be seen, once again in Peter’s leadership journey. In Matthew 14, we see Jesus balance His abilities in order to teach Peter and important leadership lesson.

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt. 14:25-31)

In this lesson, we see Jesus (1) call Peter, commending his courage, (2) saving him in his moment of fear, (3) affirming him, that he was capable to keep walking.

Do We Have The Ability?

We might have the desire, but can we capture that ability? Do we have the patience to work through the transformation process?

The ‘walking on water’ event, though momentary, truly captures a complete leadership lesson. One that’s essential for transforming followers into leaders.

As leaders, we must keeping (1) calling our followers to something greater, (2) letting them fail, then (3) reassuring them that they can achieve so much more.