Leadership Styles

I've recently had to evaluate my "leadership styles" as part of one of my classes. It was meant to bring to light certain factors that one may not think of before jumping into ministry. For instance, how will I need to adopt my tendency to lead with "Total Involvement" to the needs of the class I am starting to teach? Or how will I cope with a senior pastor who has a different leadership style than I have or need (or decide not to work under him)?

I don't mean to presume that my professors, who are wise, godly men with great experience, are wrong in their teaching or less mature and perceptive than I, but I was not content with such discussion. I will conceded that there are no Biblical passages that deal explicitly with Leadership Styles. That does not, however, exclude them from Biblical consideration.

I act (lead) the way I do because I think the way I think. I think the way I think because I want what I want. Because "leadership styles" are therefore a manifestation of the way the leader thinks and desires, is this not something that requires active sanctification (Rom. 12:2, Eph. 4:23) rather than just acknowledgment and accommodation?

For instance, a pastor who is normally "person-oriented" in leadership thinks that taking care of his flock is of greater necessity than, say, a timely completion of a building project because he desires the spiritual maturity of his flock above all else. This desire can become an idol, however, and the pastor may quickly desire external standards above all else. If his responsibilities require a different manifestation of leadership, such as "task-orientation," he must first of all changes what he wants: the completion of the task. He will then think differently and act/lead differently. Conflicts between pastors/church workers of differing leadership styles can likewise be resolved by a change in thinking based on a change in heart motives. It's all about the heart-

Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."