“The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.

– John Stott

I don’t know if John Stott gave the above quote as a direct result of reading Matthew 18, but it certainly would make sense. The words and ideas reflected in Matthew 18 intimately echo the themes Stott described in the above statement. Christian leaders are called to exercise authority – true – but to exercise it in a very particular way.

They exercise authority with love.

They exercise authority with example.

They exercise authority in reasoned discussion.

They exercise authority through service.

These patterns, however, are not always common to man. A person who would lead in these ways must be trained, broken, reformed, and renewed. This takes time and intentional direction from someone who knows how to do it. 

In this challenging new lesson series entitled “Graduate Studies in Church Leadership,” we are going to watch as Jesus takes his apostles on a learning journey through Matthew 18-20. Through teachings, confrontations, parables, and unique experiences as they travel from Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus will train these men on what kind of people they must be to lead the church well. And, as we walk through this series, we will see the kind of leadership principles that are necessary for each of us to be the kind of people God has created us as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, and influencers across all areas of life.