We all get pretty excited about leadership development. Is this idea from the Bible or from the world?

Here are all the NIV New Testament uses of the word “leader(s)”, plus some other verses I found. We’ll look at the ones that talk about church leaders.

• Acts 1:20 – “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’ – The original Greek doesn’t have the words “of leadership”; the translators added them.

• Acts 15:22 – …They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. – “who were leaders” could be “who were esteemed”. The NASB translates this Greek word 9x as being about leadership and 20x as consider/count/esteem/regard/thought.

• Romans 12:8 – …if it is to lead, do it diligently… – The NIV includes a footnote for “lead”: or “to provide for others”. The Greek word is pro-histemi, which is stand-before, which could mean lead by example. In Titus 3:8 and 3:14, it is translated as “devote themselves”.

• Romans 15:18 – I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done — “leading” is not in the Greek; the translators added it.

• 1 Corinthians 3:21 – So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours – Tells us not to be concerned with human leaders.

• Galatians 2:2 – I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles…. – “leaders” is not in the Greek.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:12 – Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. – Some translations say “who are over you in the Lord”, but the NIV doesn’t see it that way.

• 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 12 – He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)…. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. – “Manage” is that word stand-before. Notice the point is to “take care” not to lead.

• 1 Timothy 5:17 – The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. – The NIV avoids using “lead” here. It’s that word stand-before.

We’ll look at Hebrews 13 separately, because it’s one place where you could make a case for church leaders being a thing. The Greek word is the same as in Acts 15:22, and could be talking about those who are esteemed. But it also could actually mean leader. If it does, this would be the only chapter on leadership.

• Hebrews 13:7 – Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

• Hebrews 13:17 – Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.…

• Hebrews 13:24 – Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.

There are other words for leader in the New Testament, but they are not used for church leadership: founder, guide, governor, ruler, chief, master, etc.

There are 5 verses with overseer/overseers. The Greek word is episkopos. Epi = on and skopos = look intently. Literally: watch out for or keep an eye on. This makes sense if church is a family. My adult children expect me to watch out for them, but they’re not calling me their leader. Jesus is their leader.

Back to Hebrews 13, the author might be trying to make the same point:

• Hebrews 13:6-7 – So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. – “What can mere mortals do? …and imitate their faith [in God]”

• Hebrews 13:17 – Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.… – Greek: “watch over your souls”

• Hebrews 13:20 – …our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep… – Jesus is our leader.

The Bible goes out of its way to make sure we don’t see ourselves as leaders.

• Acts 20:28 – Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers…. – He could have said “your flock”, but he used way more words to make sure he was clear who’s really in charge.

• Romans 16:5 – Greet also the church that meets at their house… – He could have said “greet their church”.

The Bible never says “your church” or “their church“. It’s always “the church“, no matter how long that makes the sentence.

Why do we put so much emphasis on leadership development, happily borrowing books and concepts from the world, when the New Testament says so little about it?

Keeping watch is way more of a theme. What’s that about?