A Theology of Leadership for the Far East Project
Our understanding of leadership is not derived from corporate models or secular philosophies, but from the revealed character of God and the biblical narrative. Leadership is not about attaining power or status; it is about stewardship, service, and representation. It is the responsibility of representing God's nature to a watching world.
1. Leadership as Stewardship Under God's Authority
The ultimate leader is God. All leadership on earth is delegated authority. As Psalm 24:1 declares, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it." Therefore, every leader is first and foremost a steward, accountable to the Owner for how they manage His resources, His people, and His opportunities. A Far East Project leader leads with an open hand, recognizing that his role is temporary and his authority is derived. This eliminates pride and fosters a deep sense of responsibility, knowing we will answer to the one true Leader for how we led.
2. Leadership as Service (The Model of Christ)
The world defines leadership as "lording over" others. Jesus redefined it as laying down your life for others. He said, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave" (Matthew 20:26-28). Our model for leadership is the incarnate Christ, who "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). Therefore, leadership in the Far East Project is measured not by how many people serve the leader, but by how many people the leader serves. This is the upside-down kingdom of leadership, where greatness is found in humility and influence is found in sacrifice.
3. Leadership as Shepherding (The Heart of the Pastor)
The dominant metaphor for leadership in the Bible is the shepherd. A shepherd leads, feeds, protects, and seeks the lost. This is not a managerial role; it is a pastoral one. It requires knowing your flock, caring for their individual needs, and being willing to lay down your life for them, just as the Good Shepherd laid down His for the sheep (John 10:11). This demands Relational Leadership—noticing the one who is struggling, the one who is straying, and the one who is in danger. A Far East Project leader is a shepherd to his team, cultivating an environment of trust, care, and mutual accountability.
4. Leadership as Representation (Imaging God)
Humanity was created in the image of God (Imago Dei) to represent His rule and character on earth. The fall marred this image, but in Christ, we are being renewed into it (Colossians 3:10). Therefore, leadership is a powerful opportunity to reflect God's character to the world. A leader's integrity, wisdom, justice, and love are a public testimony. Our leadership is a form of worship, a way of declaring that God's way of leading is good, true, and beautiful. This connects directly to our Moral and Ethical Leadership, understanding that our private character and public decisions are a reflection of the God we serve.
5. Leadership as Empowerment for Mission
The primary goal of the Far East Project is not to create leaders who can immediately train others, but to form leaders who are first and foremost faithfully obedient. We are not in the business of mass-producing leadership coaches; we are in the business of forging sharp, reliable tools for God's kingdom. The focus is on the participant's personal sanctification and character development.A leader who has been truly formed—whose character is being refined, whose judgment is being sharpened, and whose heart is being aligned with God's—will naturally become an empowering presence in any future context. Our aim is to equip these men with the foundational integrity and skill so that when God calls them to lead a family, a ministry, or a team, they will do so from a place of deep, authentic strength. The multiplication of leaders is the fruit of a life well-formed; it is the future mission that flows from a present commitment to personal growth.