What you can learn at Jesus’ leadership conference …

There are so many different leadership conferences offered to today’s church leaders they don’t have the time or budget to attend them all.

Even with the plethora of opportunities, the content won’t vary much. In fact, many of the the conferences will feature the same speakers. And if you can’t attend live, you can buy the DVD, read the books the speakers write, check out the conference blog, and probably catch some of the event via live streaming online.

With all that learning about leadership, none of it will come close to the last three lessons for leading that Jesus provided us. Here’s a few lessons Jesus gave before his ascension:

1. Jesus washed the feet of those He led. John 13:1-17 tells the story. Jesus didn’t view leadership the way many leaders do today. His concept of leadership was one of such humility, love for those He led, and devoted service to them that to get on the floor and wash their feet was not beyond Him. After that incredible example of leadership, Jesus gave this instruction in John 13:12-17:

“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, ‘Do you understand what I was doing? You call me “Teacher” and “Lord,” and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.'”

2. Then He went to the cross where He emptied Himself, giving even His life. That’s after enduring the ugliest of ridicule, nearly being beaten to death, and being mocked and jeered while He hung dying a disgraceful public death. Regardless of what He faced, Jesus stayed on mission until He could say, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

3. Jesus wants His lambs fed. In John 21, we see Peter restored from his denial of Christ as Jesus provides him with three opportunities to state his love for his Savior. In that interaction, Jesus gives us great guidance for church leaders in verses 15-17:

“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter said, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then take care of my sheep,’ Jesus said. A third time he asked him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Then feed my sheep.'”

I don’t question that some great things can be learned in a variety of conferences. But imagine the impact to the church if today’s leaders learned, and lived out, these lessons for leaders that Jesus provides.

Scotty