The heartbeat of leadership is love

The Heart of Leadership: Love as the Foundation of Growth in Christ

At the centre of true leadership lies love—a love that mirrors the heart of the Father and transforms the lives of those it touches. Biblical leadership is not about control or titles; it is about serving others in a way that reflects the love of Christ. This foundation of love enables leaders to speak truth into the lives of others, fostering growth and drawing people closer to Christ. The source of our authority is love and truth in Jesus. This authority in love is patient, gentle, and humble. This leadership flows out of Sonship in our relational responsibility in our Father’s love to live in the life of the Son and be lead by the Holy Spirit.

Leadership Rooted in Love

The Biblical leadership matrix emphasises that without love, leadership becomes distorted:

   •      Shepherds without the Father’s love may control and harm rather than nurture.

   •      Servants without the Son’s love prioritise tasks over people, using others as a means to an end.

   •      Stewards without love lose the joy of serving in God’s household.

   •      Soldiers without love sacrifice without obedience, making leadership a burden rather than a blessing.

These examples highlight the importance of leading from a place of divine love. A leader who embraces the Father’s heart reflects compassion, humility, and a commitment to the well-being of others.

Speaking Truth in Love

Leadership anchored in love is not void of truth; instead, it speaks truth with grace. Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love” so that we may grow in Christ. Truth spoken without love can wound and alienate, but when truth is delivered with love, it becomes a catalyst for growth and healing.

The Power of Words

Words hold immense power. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “the tongue has the power of life and death.” Words spoken in love can encourage, restore, and build up, drawing people closer to God and one another. However, words devoid of love can fracture relationships, sow seeds of division, and cause unnecessary trauma.

   •      Words That Build Up: When leaders speak with love, their words become instruments of healing and hope. Affirmation, encouragement, and gentle correction can inspire trust and foster a sense of belonging. Words of love can transform a broken spirit into one that flourishes under God’s grace.

   •      Words Without Love: On the other hand, harsh or careless words can leave lasting scars. Criticism devoid of empathy can discourage and alienate those who are already struggling. Leaders who speak truth without compassion risk breaking the hearts of those they are called to shepherd. Divisive words, even when spoken unintentionally, can lead to bitterness, mistrust, and a fracturing of relationships within the Body of Christ.

Jesus warned against this in Matthew 12:36-37, teaching that we will give an account for every careless word spoken. A leader’s words must reflect the love and truth of Christ, seasoned with grace and wisdom.

Avoiding Division and Trauma

Leadership that lacks love often produces unnecessary trauma. Words spoken in anger or frustration can create wounds that take years to heal. Miscommunication or gossip can lead to division and broken trust within teams, families, and churches. When love is absent, the unity that Jesus prayed for in John 17 is replaced with discord.

To avoid this, leaders must:

       1.  Pause Before Speaking: James 1:19 exhorts us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Reflecting on the intent and potential impact of words before speaking can prevent harm.

       2.  Seek Reconciliation: When words have caused pain, leaders must humble themselves, seek forgiveness, and work to restore broken relationships.

       3.  Speak for Edification: As Ephesians 4:29 urges, leaders should speak only what is helpful for building others up, in alignment with their needs, so that their words may benefit those who hear.

Love as the Core of Leadership

To love as a leader means embodying several key attributes:

       1.  A Shepherd’s Care: Leaders must know the condition of those they lead, provide direction, and create safe spaces for growth. As noted in The Way of the Shepherd, great leadership is personal, not professional—it requires authenticity, integrity, and compassion.

       2.  A Servant’s Heart: Leadership is not about position but purpose. A servant leader prioritises the needs of others and focuses on God’s glory rather than personal ambition. This humility reflects the love of the Son, who came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28).

       3.  A Steward’s Responsibility: Leaders are stewards of God’s resources and people. This involves managing with integrity, focusing on the needs of others, and maintaining accountability to God.

       4.  A Soldier’s Discipline: Leadership requires perseverance, prayer, and reliance on the Word of God. A soldier of Christ leads with discipline, standing firm in spiritual battles while protecting and guiding others.

Cultivating Growth in Christ

When love is at the heart of leadership, it creates a culture where people can thrive in their relationship with God. Leaders who model Christ’s love inspire others to:

   •      Gaze upon God: By pointing people to Christ’s beauty and truth, leaders help others draw near to the Father.

   •      Grow in His likeness: Truth spoken in love encourages spiritual growth and transformation, fostering maturity in Christ.

   •      Go with His purpose: Love-driven leadership sends people out with confidence, empowering them to serve others and make disciples.

Conclusion: The Call to Lead in Love

The heart of leadership is love, modelled after the sacrificial love of Christ. It is a love that speaks truth, shepherds with care, serves with humility, stewards with responsibility, and perseveres with discipline. Leaders must always remember that their words hold the power to build up or tear down, to unite or divide, to heal or harm.

As leaders, may we heed the wisdom of Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” In this way, our words will reflect the heart of Jesus, enabling those we lead to grow in Christ and experience His transformative love.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). May we, as leaders, speak with love to heal, restore, and guide others toward the beauty of Christ.

Mike Hey

On Board Logos Hope, January 2025, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Recommended Reading:

And I will Bless Them by Roy Godwin

The Father Heart of God by Floyd Mclung

 The Way of the Shepherd by Dr Kevin Leman and Bill Pentack