BECOMING A HEALTHY LEADER: Leaders Are Lifters

“He who thinks he is leading, but no one is following, is only taking a walk.”

This powerful proverb summarizes the entire essence of leadership, especially in the Body of Christ. A leader is not just someone who occupies a title or position; a true spiritual leader is one who lifts others to a higher dimension in life and destiny—spiritually, morally, emotionally, and even physically.

BECOMING A HEALTHY LEADER: Leaders Are Lifters

True leadership in the church is never about personal gain or self-promotion. A godly leader must be both a spiritual giant (a model worthy of imitation), and yet a humble servant who points people to Christ and not to himself. In other words, a real leader must be “tall” enough to inspire others by example, but “small” enough in humility so that those following can still see Jesus clearly.

A. WHO IS A CHURCH LEADER?

Scriptures: Isaiah 9:16; Isaiah 55:4; John 21:1-3

In the house of God, leadership is not primarily about title, age, status, charisma, or public recognition. One may possess all these outward attributes and still not be a true leader in the Kingdom.

Church leadership is influence. It is the God-given ability to lead people willingly, without manipulation or coercion. It is when people choose to follow you because they trust your walk with God, respect your example, and see Christ in your lifestyle.

Peter had this kind of influence. That’s why, even after Christ’s resurrection, when Peter said, “I go a fishing,” others followed him (John 21:3). Jesus later confirmed this leadership mantle by charging him to “feed My sheep” (John 21:15-17), appointing him as a key leader among the apostles.

Facts About Influence:

Influence cannot be forced—it must be earned.
Without influence, people will not truly follow you.
Where influence is weak, results will be limited.
Influence takes time to grow—it is a spiritual process.
Your influence will determine your ministry’s impact.
Influence is built by your lifestyle—your vision, values, integrity, and faith.
You can benefit from another’s influence temporarily, but you must build your own eventually.

In any growing local church, the spiritual leader—usually the pastor—must be the primary source of spiritual influence. When other individuals (whether elders, board members, or assistants) wield more influence than the pastor, the growth and unity of the church will be hindered.

B. PURPOSE AND POWER OF LEADERSHIP

Scripture: Isaiah 9:16

One of the divine purposes for leadership in the church is to help people discover their place in Christ and grow into their God-given identity. Leadership is not about putting greatness into people, but bringing out the greatness God already placed within them.

As a spiritual leader, your calling is to:

Discover the hidden treasures in people.
Transform the wayward through love and truth.
Encourage the unsure and help them gain confidence.
Polish rough diamonds—people with potential but lacking refinement.
Stabilize the unstable and give them direction.
Train the unskilled and turn them into disciples.
Empower the powerless through the Word and Spirit.
Provide spiritual platforms for others to rise and fulfill their callings.

Your leadership is validated not by your preaching or position, but by the lives being lifted under your influence. Leaders who truly lift others must rely entirely on the Holy Spirit. God uses leaders as ladders—and a ladder doesn’t climb itself, it lifts others higher.

C. WHY MANY LEADERS LIMIT OTHERS TODAY

Scripture: Isaiah 9:16

Sadly, many church leaders start well, but once they are given positions of influence, they fail to use it to edify others. Instead of being lifters, they become limiters—blocking the rising of others due to insecurity, pride, or ignorance.

Reasons Why Leaders Become Limiters:

Failure to confront and overcome personal weaknesses.
Prejudice against growth, change, and learning.
Allegiance to church traditions or systems over loyalty to Christ Himself.
Insecurity and inferiority complex—fearing others may outshine them.
Viewing younger ministers as threats rather than partners in ministry.
Jealousy over the anointing, gifts, or success of others.
Fleshly desire to dominate and control others.
Misunderstanding leadership as position instead of function.
Operating in the flesh—manifesting the old Adamic nature.
Disconnect from the will, presence, and mind of God.
Treating people merely as steppingstones, not as sons and daughters in the faith.

So many destinies—evangelists, prophets, pastors, teachers, apostles—have been aborted or hindered because their leaders oppressed or silenced them instead of developing and releasing them. These kinds of leaders are not building God’s kingdom; they are damaging the body of Christ.

D. LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS FOR LIFTING OTHERS

The effectiveness of your spiritual leadership is directly tied to your ability to lift, raise, and empower others. The true measure of your ministry is not in your sermons, but in the quality of leaders and disciples you are raising.

Spiritual Fundamentals to Embrace:

Life – Your personal walk with God is the foundation of your leadership.
Limit – Identify and remove limitations from your own life.
Love – Be driven by love—for God and His people.
Learn – Be a continual learner; never stop growing in knowledge and grace.
Listen – Develop a listening heart; hear God and hear people.
Light – Walk transparently, with no hidden sin or secret agendas.
Ladder – Become a ladder for others to rise in ministry and purpose.
Laugh – Don’t be too serious; keep joy and laughter in your journey.
Length – Go deeper in your walk with God; don’t be shallow.
Levels – Provide leadership that produces fruit at multiple levels of impact.
Labour – Leadership that lifts others requires hard work, sacrifice, and consistency.
Landmark – Be intentional about leaving eternal, godly imprints on lives.
Legacy – Deposit truth, values, and vision into people—not just buildings or programs.
Landmines – Watch out for Satan’s traps that destroy spiritual leaders—pride, offense, immorality, and laziness.

Until you commit to lifting others, your leadership will never reflect the heart of Christ. You may be moving, but you’re not truly leading. Kingdom leadership is about raising sons, releasing potentials, and reproducing Christ in others.

May the Lord raise more lifters and deliver the church from limiters. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.