I love the presidential portrait museum in Washington, DC. One gets to stand, literally face to face, with the all-male cast of characters who once occupied the highest office in the land. Being a history major has its drawbacks. Too many stories of these presidents’ foibles, failures, moral compromises, and sometimes unethical behavior make it difficult to believe the myths we tell about their noble character, wise leadership, and courage. They were, after all, deeply human. On one visit, Wendy took my picture next to the portrait of the president she thinks I most resemble—the 38th president, Gerald Ford.
John F. Kennedy’s book Profiles in Courage describes eight U.S. senators he considered to be people of bravery and integrity. We hope for such qualities in those who lead us. Yet over time, we learn to distinguish between a leader’s public image and the deeper reality of their life.
The Fruit of Life
When we think about leadership, our attention often turns to pastors, small-group leaders, mentors, and spiritual guides. Most of us are cautious about leaders who speak too highly of themselves. Yet the Apostle Paul boldly points to the integrity of his own life as an example for Timothy and for the churches he served. The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:10-11, “Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering…”
In the book of Hebrews, he gives a template to assess the integrity of one who leads:
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the words of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith,” (Hebrews 13:7)
- Pay attention to what their life produces—the “outcome” of their way of life—not merely their words or public persona, but the fruit their life bears.
- Imitate their faith.
Learning to Belong
When Paul was formerly known as Saul, he wasn’t running for elected office; he knew who chose him for the job, and he knew why. On the road to Damascus, Saul was blinded and knocked to the ground. Then came what may have been the hardest part of all. Still carrying his old identity, he had to receive help from Ananias—someone he might previously have considered an enemy. Someone he might have included on his list of Christian targets. Saul needed what this former adversary could offer: healing, restored sight, and the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. And these words: “…he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel…” (Acts 9:15).
The Christians did not immediately trust him, and with good reason. They could easily have viewed his conversion as a ploy to gain access to Jesus’ followers. Yet Saul preached Christ openly, and Barnabas—the “son of encouragement”—stepped forward to testify on his behalf.
Leadership is not for divas, soloists, or prima donnas. Leaders in the way of Jesus have tasted their own failure enough to become humble, trusted their calling enough to be bold, and accepted the welcome of the body of Christ enough to come home to a new belonging.
Practice
Create a portrait of three leaders—past or present—whose lives have shaped your faith. In light of Hebrews 13:7, what do you most hope to emulate from their way of life and faith? Then ask yourself: Who is helping shape those qualities in you today? And who might God be inviting you to encourage and guide in the same way?
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Keith Anderson, D.Min., is a Faculty Associate for Spirituality and Vocation at VantagePoint3 and President Emeritus of Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. He is the author of several books, including his most recent: On Holy Ground: Your Story of Identity, Belonging and Sacred Purpose (Wipf & Stock, 2024). His other works include Reading Your Life’s Story (IVP, 2016), A Spirituality of Listening (IVP, 2016), and Spiritual Mentoring (IVP, 1999). In his writing, teaching, and mentoring, Keith seeks to set a table for people looking to enter the “amazing inner sanctuary of the soul” in the most ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.