In this article, we explore the characteristics expected in the life of a Christian and much more as a leader.
Who is a Christian?
The word Christian means taking upon us the name of Christ. A Christian is a follower of Christ.
He is a person who walks according to God’s instructions. One who obeys his commandments, statues, and orders.
A Christian is someone who has experienced a spiritual rebirth. A Christian is one who shows good example by his way of behavior, character, and attitude.
Top 10 Characteristics or Qualities of a Good Christian Leader
Knowing what qualities, you need as a Christian makes us serious as we embark on this journey.
1. A Christian Leader Must Have Faith
Faith is one of the most essential characteristics of a leader because it is the foundation of the Christian walk.
It is an unwavering trust and confidence in God, His promises, and His Word.
The Bible affirms in Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
A good Christian leader seeks to deepen their faith through prayer, studying the Bible, and developing a personal relationship with God.
Through this personal relationship, he will have a deeper discussion with God. He will have the grace to approach the throne of God anytime as he worships.
Having a personal relationship with God brings protection, direction, favour, success, and prosperity.
Faith, through which we overcome the world is the weapon used to fight unforeseen battles.
2. A Christian Leader Must Learn Forgiveness
Forgiveness is one of the transformative qualities that a good Christian embraces.
Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiveness in Matthew 6:14-15, stating,
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
A Christian who forgives demonstrates mercy, grace, and a willingness to reconcile relationships, following the example of Christ’s forgiveness towards humanity.
Forgiveness is a tool that brings harmony, and peace. Learn to forgive so God can forgive your sins.
3. A Christian Leader is Disciplined and Diligent
God expects a disciplined life be exhibited by every Christian. For Timothy, this meant he needed a disciplined life against false teaching (1:3-11), for planting churches, good conscience before the Lord and before men (1:8-20), and a disciplined life in love, in faith, and in purity (4:12).
Discipline yourself to always attend to the things of God.
The individual is to maintain a regimented practice or exercise of following Christ.
You set out to accomplish God’s vision for your life. Diligence is not keeping busy or merely fulfilling a ministry obligation, for this would be fruitless activity.
Rather, we commit ourselves to faithfulness, to preserving promises, to working hard and striving with other members of the family of God toward discipleship.
Our labor and care for each other is inward, outward, and global.
If you have control over your mind, you can more easily act out in self-control. In order to have control over one’s thought life, one needs to go to Jesus as the main source.
Diligence moves us from complacency to reproducing our vision. Serve Him with a diligent mind.
4. A Christian Leader Possesses Wisdom
Wisdom, as mentioned in Proverbs 2:6, is one of the characteristics a Christian leader diligently seeks.
It involves applying godly knowledge and understanding to make wise decisions and navigate life’s challenges.
We can see that with Solomon in the book of 1 Kings 3:16-28 as he resolves issue with two women claiming the baby is theirs.
James 1:5 encourages believers, saying, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
A wise Christian relies on God’s guidance, biblical principles, and discernment to make choices that honor Him.
5. A Christian Leader Perseveres
Perseverance is a quality that enables a good Christian to remain steadfast in their faith, especially during trials and tribulations.
The bible wrote that Vision is written for a time, when it tarries, wait for it. As you expect that thing, that’s long suffering.
James 1:12 declares, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
A Christian who perseveres relies on God’s strength, holding on to hope and trusting in His promises.
Be determined to serve Him with all your might, strength, and your body too.
6. A Christian Leader Must Be Prayerful
Prayer is powerful quality of a good Christian.
It is the means through which believers communicate with God, seeking His guidance, expressing gratitude, and presenting their needs and concerns.
The Bible encourages constant prayer in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, stating, “Pray continually.”
God calls us to not fear anything, but God. God is all-powerful and has authority overall. If one is a child of God, one can rest in the knowledge that He is in control.
When we realize and see God as the highest in command over this entire universe, one can know there is no need to fear anything else.
A God-fearing Christian will fear God and know that He is present in all places.
He will cultivate a consistent prayer life, recognizing the importance of communing with God and seeking His will in all aspects of life.
Building a prayer life is good in order to overcome temptations, withstand the little things that my come to wade you off the track.
7. A Christian Leader Have Integrity
Integrity is one of the crucial characteristics of a good Christian leader. It means living a life of honesty, sincerity, and moral uprightness.
Psalm 15:2-3 states,
“The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart […] who keeps an oath even when it hurts.”
A good Christian leader must live a life free from sin. He must abhor sin in all ramifications.
He should pray and ask for grace to love a sinless life. You must not heed to the devil’s tricks – not yielding to the lusts of the world.
A person with integrity aligns their actions with their beliefs, maintaining consistency in their words and deeds.
8. A Christian Leader Is Humble To Serve
Humility is a vital quality that a good Christian embraces. It involves recognizing one’s dependence on God and acknowledging His sovereignty.
In Philippians 2:3-4, the apostle Paul urges believers, saying, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Christians are to devote their lives to the ministry of the Word. I see this as both a private and corporate action.
I teach the Word; some of us may do this formally as a Sunday school teacher; some may lead a small group, work in the nursery, or work with students.
But all of us are commanded to make disciples under the Word. Devotion is a way of life, so we keep watch on ourselves and the activities we’re preoccupied with.
Devotion to watchfulness places parameters around the relationships we keep and the activities we do, while also pointing out distractions that would keep us from the Lord.
A humble Christian leader displays modesty, accepts corrections, and serves others with a sincere heart.
9. A Christian Leader Has Love and Gives
Love lies at the core of Christianity.
Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of love in Matthew 22:37-39, saying,
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. […] Love your neighbor as yourself.”
A good Christian leader demonstrates selfless love towards God and human and filled with Joy at all times.
Joy is not something that only comes when things are feeling good.
Paul says count it all joy when you are in the middle of hard things going on in your life.
I see joy as contentment and confidence in knowing that we already have everything we need.
A good Christian will always have inner joy when in his presence. So, they give.
Generosity is a quality that reflects the heart of a good Christian.
The Bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
A Christian who loves willingly shares their resources, time, and talents to bless others and advance God’s kingdom.
They understand that all they have is a gift from God and steward it with a spirit of generosity. A generous heart does not lack.
10. A Christian Leader Evangelizes
A good Christian recognizes the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20,
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Evangelism is the act of sharing the gospel message and inviting others to experience salvation through faith in Christ.
A Christian who actively engages in evangelism seeks to fulfill this command, sharing the love and truth of Jesus with others.
Final Notes
In conclusion, Christianity is not religion. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a way of reflecting Christ for people to see.
When people want to see Jesus, they should look into your life and see Jesus there.
I therefore urge you to cultivate the above characteristics to be a good Christian leader. Many thanks to you for stopping by.
