• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
ChurchPlants

ChurchPlants

Looking to plant a church? Find free ideas on how to get started, church planting tips, and establish a strong healthy church. Browse now!

  • Teams
  • Growth
  • Leadership
  • Strategy
  • Finances
  • Free Downloads
You are here: Home / Articles / 10 Things the Best Spiritual Leaders Do

10 Things the Best Spiritual Leaders Do

April 19, 2018 by Chuck Lawless Articles

Spiritual Leadership Characteristics

Some folks are deeply spiritual, but not the best leaders. Others are strong leaders, but their actions deny their professed Christianity. To be honest, it’s not always easy to find folks who are both deeply spiritual and strong leaders. Here are some markers of those I’ve known who do indeed show both spiritual leadership characteristics.

  1. They pray a lot. These are men whose hearts are bent toward God, and their knees are worn out in prayer. Their confidence in God is palpable.
  2. They recognize the reality of the spiritual war. They respect the enemy’s power without ever forgetting they’re following the Conqueror.
  3. They memorize the Word. Just listen to them talk. They sprinkle the Word throughout their conversations, without drawing attention to themselves. It’s just natural to them.
  4. They know they could always fall. They are never so arrogant as to think failure could not happen to them. Even the possibility of bringing shame to Christ keeps them on their face before Him.
  5. They study the stories of other spiritual leaders. Usually, they do this through reading biographies and autobiographies. They allow even those who preceded them to teach them via print.
  6. They drip of humility. They could easily fall into pride, but they continually fight hard against that tendency. They always deflect any praise sent their way.
  7. They have their own mentors. These leaders never lead alone; they have others who help them guard their heart, push them to continue growing, and challenge them to lead better.
  8. They make decisions and move on. They pray, seek God through His Word, talk to other trusted believers, and press on. Seldom do they get bogged down with second-guessing their decisions.
  9. They invest in others. That is, they recognize their responsibility to raise up another generation of spiritual leaders. Their ministry doesn’t end with them.
  10. They live with intentionality. It seems like every step they take has a clear purpose. Nothing—from their personal walk to their public ministry—ever seems haphazard.

What characteristics have you seen in great spiritual leaders?

This article originally appeared here.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter

About Chuck Lawless

Chuck Lawless is professor and senior associate dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor for almost twenty years, and is the author of Spiritual Warfare: Biblical Truth for Victory, Discipled Warriors: Healthy Churches Winning Spiritual Warfare, Making Disciples through Mentoring, Serving in Your Church's Prayer Ministry, and Eating the Elephant. Dr. Lawless speaks extensively around the countryYou can read articles from Dr. Chuck Lawless on his personal blog (ChuckLawless.com) ( or connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook.

.

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Church Planting Jobs

Search Here

Christian News Now

Enter your email for tips on how to have a thriving church!

Footer

Company

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Service
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Get Email Updates
  • Christian News Now

Copyright © 2025 ChurchPlants

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Service