Leadership Development - Four Characteristics of Effective Leaders

       This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

Our topic for 2026 is Leadership Development, and today I would like to address the question, “What are some characteristics of a good leader?

As you might imagine, over the years, I have read many books about leadership. Something I like to do is to read authors who are not American, authors who have a bit of a different perspective. One of those authors is Dr. Myles Munroe (who is a native of the Bahamas), and last year I read his book The Spirit of Leadership. In his Introduction, he makes a strong statement.  “… There is no greater need in our twenty-first-century world than effective, competent leadership … The number one need all over the globe today is … quality, moral, disciplined, principle-centered leadership.”

He also makes the observation that “true leaders do not seek power but are driven by a passion to achieve a noble cause.”  In our context, we have the ultimate noble cause, that of Christ’s Kingdom.  

Today, let’s explore those four characteristics of effective, competent leadership according to Dr. Munroe.

* Quality – to be an effective leader, one must lead with skill. Many years ago, a mentor friend of mine had this to say. “Leadership is not a title!  It is a privilege granted you by those you lead.  It is a privilege not often granted and easily lost.”  One “easy” way to lose the privilege of leadership is to lead poorly. There are many possible causes of this; at the top of the list, in my opinion, would be a leader who is pursuing his or her own benefit rather than the good of the group or the organization.

* Moral – unfortunately, moral failure has caused the downfall of many church, government and business leaders. Most often, these failures are either financial or sexual in nature. Good and godly leaders must flee temptation and avoid every form of evil (2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Thessalonians 5:22).

* Disciplined – leadership can be challenging. As one rises in their level of leadership, the problems become harder to solve, and the level of ambiguity increases. The greatest discipline a godly leader can develop is an intimate relationship with Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Christ-following leaders have the promise of John 14:26.  “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

* Principle-centered – godly leaders are not swayed by public opinion or others’ expectations of them. The foundation of their leadership is biblical principles.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.