Leaders Devote Themselves

Christian leadership is primarily marked by devotion. Leaders first and foremost devote themselves fully to God, recognizing that leadership is not self-appointed but God-given. This devotion is modeled throughout Scripture: Moses devoted himself to leading Israel out of Egypt despite his fears (Exodus 3–4), David devoted himself to the Lord as both a shepherd and king (Psalm 23), and Paul devoted his life to the mission of proclaiming the gospel even in the face of persecution (Acts 20:24). Devotion in this sense means a wholehearted orientation of life toward God and His calling.

Leaders also devote themselves to their missional calling. A Christian leader does not simply drift from task to task but lives with a clear sense of purpose rooted in God’s Word. Jesus Himself exemplified this kind of devotion. He declared, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (John 4:34, ESV). This shows that devotion is not an occasional act of obedience, but a daily surrender that becomes the sustenance of a leader’s life. For modern leaders, this might mean intentionally setting aside time for prayer, study, and discernment to ensure that their mission is aligned with God’s will and not merely human ambition.

Finally, devotion extends outward toward others. Leaders must devote themselves to the people they are called to shepherd, guide, or influence. The apostle Paul’s letters reveal his deep personal investment in the churches he founded. He describes his work with the Thessalonians as being “gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7, ESV). Leadership shaped by devotion will always prioritize people over programs, relationships over results, and faithfulness over efficiency. Thus, devotion forms the heart of Christian leadership: a devotion to God, to the mission He gives, and to the people entrusted to one’s care.