Leadership = showing others the way + moving forward together

The gift of leadership is the divine strength or ability to influence people at their level while directing and focusing them on the big picture, vision, or idea. 

This shouldn’t be confused with a title or role people have.

I mean, let’s be real: all humans have dominion— it's who we are. 

However, some people have a special ability to lead and to exercise authority in some a way that things are better because they are present and providing direction to others. Whereas all people are destined to “reign in life” (Romans 5:17), these individuals often create order that empowers them to do something and then point the way for others, blazing a trail that makes what was once impossible become accessible for many.

Supernatural, not just a tendency to be in charge

Note, though, this isn’t a natural-type of leadership.

One of the most followed leaders in the 20th Century was… get this… Adolf Hitler. He was chosen Time magazine’s “Man of the Year” for 1938. Within four years, he led a murderous assault of 6 million Jews, peaking at the rate of 15,000 per day. And that number doesn’t include other casualties of the war. 

Where did Hitler get that kind of leadership ability? 

Yes, God created him. And God created him with the capacity to lead at an extremely high level.

Just because we have a natural-born skillset, though, doesn’t mean we’ll use it in a way that honors our Creator. Within the talent resides the potential for great grace or massive destruction. 

This is why instructional obedience (the first facet we mentioned about implementing our spiritual gifts) is important.

As well, understand the gift of leadership might not mean the person is always an extrovert. Though most of them are, we reference James, a leader in the early church, as a potential SD (steady + determined) leader.

At the Jerusalem council he uses words to convey great directional truth (that people STILL follow two thousand year later). Yet he also seems to be a man of mercy. As such, even though I believe he has the supernatural gift of leadership, I believe his created design is— at the core— mercy. 

If you read his epistle, you may get the idea that he’s all “black and white.” Yet a closer read of James’ epistle reveals that he defined the essence of Christianity as… notice this… demonstrating tangible mercy. Care for orphans and widows (James 1:27). Feed and clothe your needy brothers and sisters (2:14-15).

The way James responds at the Jerusalem Council is astonishingly profound. When the question was posed as to whether or not circumcision and other elements of the Law would be required for Gentile converts, James is the one who created peace by laying very few requirements on them (see Acts 15:13-21).  In fact, without James’ leadership it’s doubtful the church would have continued growing through the Gentile nations as rapidly as it did.

Bigger than title, position, role, and even personality...

Whereas many leaders ARE front and center— and seen a great deal. Remember, many people with the supernatural gift of mercy are leading work teams, leading committees, leading families, and doing unseen work at a supernatural level. 

See also Romans 12:8, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 13:17.