By M. M. Boteler
The January/February 2025 edition of the Christian Standard has been dedicated to the development of Christian leadership. The concern for leadership within our churches is nothing new. Over 100 years ago, on July 12, 1919, M. M. Boteler addressed the subject of developing Christian leaders with an article in the pages of the Christian Standard.
The Leader a Necessity—The question of leadership is a vital one. From the beginning of the history of mankind the world has had its leaders and its followers. Whether we are looking at the small group which makes up the household, at the church, the state or nation, we see that certain leaders shape the course of events. Strong personalities dominate those that are less strong. The leader is not always conscious of this, nor are those whom he leads. However, the fact of leadership signifies nothing good or evil in itself. The question is not, “Shall we have leaders in society?” but, rather, “What kind of leaders are we providing for?”
Leaders Are Both Born and Made—We say of certain persons that they are natural leaders, and certainly some men are endowed with unmistakable gifts for taking the lead. They dominate others. We can easily name such characters that stand out in history. It does not follow, however, that such men, untrained, are fit to lead. The typical boss in politics is usually a natural leader. So is the church boss, but both of them may be crude and ignorant. Training of the right sort would make useful citizens of both.
Training for Service—The shrewdest business men are continually looking out for material in the way of men whom they may train to take responsible positions. A commercial house the writer has in mind carries an advertisement in the newspapers nearly every day in the year, calling for young men whom it can fit for places of authority. The house is looking toward future needs. Surely the affairs of the kingdom are not less important.
The Desire to Lead—Because some desire positions of leadership for what they can get out of these positions, we may make the mistake of condemning worthy aspirations. The young Christian who is trying to fit himself for a position of large usefulness is to be commended rather than condemned. We do not always make a distinction between low ambition and the lack of vain conceit.
How Shall We Prepare?—Our Government saw the importance of having trained men to lead its forces, hence the officers’ training-camps. The church has done something in this line, but not enough. The schools that urge their claim to support must show that they are really training men to lead the church to the victories that belong to it. Every church should be a training-camp.
Training in Service—We get very little training that is worth much if we are given theory alone. There are places great and places humble to be filled in the church. There are some things that the new recruit may achieve while he is getting his training. The older members of the church ought to take the keenest interest in all of the work of the young people, since their activities, after all, furnish the best training agency.
0 Comments