It feels like all too often these days that we are hearing a story of church, para church, or charity leader having to step down due to a moral failing. I’m not making a comment on any specific story here, in fact I don’t always feel that it is helpful to as we rarely get the full story.

I’m always a mix of emotions when I hear news like this. I’m sad for the people they have taken advantage of, the other people that they had led, the family of the fallen leader, and I even feel sad for the leader in question, even though it was their error.

If I’m being honest the emotion that catches me even more than these is frustration. Because its another moment where God has not been honoured by the people who should have honoured Him the most.

As followers of Jesus we are called to be different. As leaders of followers of Jesus we are called to a higher standard. We are meant to reject power, control, and the temptation to be gods in our own right. Everytime we refuse to do that we don’t make Jesus’ name known, we make our name known, and thats very frustrating.

As I was reading the book of 1 Samuel today in the Bible I came across the moment where the prophet Samuel is giving his final address to the people before king Saul takes over. It warmed my heart. Before he instructs them he asks them whether or not he had served them with integrity over the years. This is their response;

You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.” 1 Sam 12:4

I thought it was incredibly refreshing to hear a group of people say this about their leader. I love that Samuel was a leader who put his character, his integrity, before any skill or desire to please the people. Generations of priests, prophets and rulers who had gone before him had not led with the same integrity and for the people to recognise his integrity is such a testament to his leadership.

I would love to hear more stories about leaders like this today. The truth is there are loads of those stories out there, and way way more than the failures, we just don’t hear about them because they aren’t newsworthy…..but in my eyes these women and men are the heroes. They have the ability to take and exert power but choose not to. They could manipulate and force change but they choose to rely on Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work of conviction.

I’m thankful that Jesus is our ultimate example of this. He had all the power but refused to exert power, control people, or manipulate a situation to his control. Instead He surrendered to the Fathers will and allowed people to choose.

As a leader I want to model my leadership after Samuel (and Jesus of course). I want people to know that I have led with integrity and honesty. I want them to know that I have honest in my dealings, generous with my stuff, and upright in my ways.

I pray for every leader today in whatever setting they led. Help them to lead with integrity even in the face of mounting pressure to cut corners and do everything. Help them not to bow to the enemies desire for their life. Keep them from temptation and deliver them from evil, for Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever … amen.