Leadership past and present

The coming month marks the centenary of the birth of that notable Anglican evangelical leader, John Stott. We carry some reflections on his legacy here.

Stott’s influence was and is immense, of course – just as that of some of his contemporaries, such as J. I. Packer and Martyn Lloyd-Jones, continues to be. Today there are fewer who exercise this sort of overarching leadership, though Tim Keller is perhaps one notable figure who does.

Nowadays, especially after recent scandals, we are maybe rightly more sceptical of what has been called ‘Papal Evangelicalism’, which carries many potential snares with it. But no hint of impropriety has ever attached itself to those mentioned above. Perhaps many of our predecessors were better at remembering that right doctrine and right behaviour go together. Simply ‘being sound’ is useless without holiness and love.

Leadership is also much more difficult these days because of the rise of the internet. Now everyone has a voice in the public sphere. Rumours – some true, some false – can quickly spread. Words online are often harsh and unloving, and that affects how leaders – including good ones – are perceived, and indeed are potentially able to lead.

The New Testament challenges both leaders and led: ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you,’ Jesus says. ‘Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.’ And Hebrews tells us: ‘Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority … Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.’ What does that mean for you?