Military Leadership
Introduction
There is much taught in the Bible from which we can derive key principles relevant to leadership. In this sense, the Christian officer has a “leg up” on his peers both in the insights gained from his/her study of the Word, from the motivation to apply the principles which the military desires of its leaders, and from the confidence s/he has of God’s work in his/her life.
Scripture references
Study the following biblical references and consider how they address the questions listed below. If using this outline with a Small Group, consider assigning different Scriptures to different individuals and relating them to one or more of the questions below. Then scroll down the page to review our recommended resources for the topic of Military Leadership and consider how the various articles or podcasts provide further insights relating to this topic.
Colossians 3: 17; 23-24; II Timothy 2:3-4; Proverbs 22:29; Matthew 8:5- 10; Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 16:10; Micah 6:8; Genesis 39: 4-10; Psalm 75:6-7; Matthew 10: 28-31; Proverbs 27:2, 21; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 72:1-4; Proverbs 21:15
Questions
- Much is said and written about professional excellence for the Christian officer. Why should we do our best in all that we do? What does it communicate if we are sloppy or incompetent in our work?
- Obviously the use of authority is a necessary and important requirement of a leader. However, what should be the attitude of Christian officers in exercising their authority?
- How important is the character of the leader?
- What should be our attitude toward promotion (or lack thereof) and assignments? Toward praise?
- How does our faith help to give us confidence in the difficult and often dangerous responsibilities of military leadership?
- What should be the atmosphere and outcomes in a unit or section an officer is leading?
Recommended Resources
The following resources are meant to get you started in the subdomain of Military Leadership.
Transformational Leadership | Episode 018
There is no greater example of a transformational leader than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In this episode, LTC Gil Jacobs, PhD, USA (Ret.), walks us through six ways to be a transformational leader like Jesus.
Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers
OCF finds it appropriate to help senior officers meet the spiritual demands and opportunities of their important positions.
Professional Excellence
The Christian officer should strive to be the very best professional officer possible within his abilities, and he or she should do this in accord with Christian faith and conduct.
Nehemiah: Approaching leadership like a Marine | Episode 34
In this episode, Chaplain Bill Appleton is going to focus on the life of Nehemiah and the leadership qualities we need to pay attention to today, and he'll also share the story of how he became a Christian.
Navigating the Storms of Life | Episode 002
Sometimes the storms of life can be metaphorical, such as a difficult deployment, move, or career transition. However, there are those times when the storms of life refer to literal storms. Such was the case for our guest today, LT James Rader, USCG, as he took part in search-and-rescue efforts during Hurricane Harvey this past August.
Leader, do you have the right tool for the job? Episode 32
In this episode, we chat with Commander Brian Haggerty, USN, and he’s going to talk about biblical leadership using the analogy of tools you might find in a toolbox. These tools are based on an article Commander Haggerty wrote for Command magazine a few years ago.
Keys to integrating faith and profession as a leader
Congratulations on your commission! As you embark on the next phase of your journey, let me recommend competence, courage, and commitment as keys to your blueprint for successfully integrating faith and profession as military leaders.
How ya doing? Do you really care?
Who will you meet today in an unexpected encounter, whether in a combat area, passageway, flight line, or on drills and maneuvers? And what will you say—and hear? In your command, how will you show Christ in your servant leadership?
For All Leaders
It is a joy and privilege to influence other lives through your leadership.
Courageous Command: Beyond Battlefield Boldness
Only by trusting God and His plan for our lives can we lead courageously in our duty as both officers and Christians. It’s time to build a strategy that calculates the risks of leadership minefields and faces them with a moral courage that matches the bravery of those we lead on the battlefield.
Communicating hope beyond suffering
Authentic leadership deals with life's real issues of pain, trauma and suffering while pointing beyond to a life in Christ. As Paul reminds us, our present trials are but a means to an end; particularly for the Christian leader, hope is the final reality of life.
Additional Resources
OCF offers many extra resources as you continue digging into the subdomain of Military Leadership.
Working for a Difficult Boss
We all have to serve or work for someone at some time in our lives.
What Are You Reading?
When I was on the faculty of the Army War College one of my favorite questions to ask visiting senior leaders, was "What are you reading right now?"
Was it Failure or Success?
Failure is a part of living.
TTP – Vision and Leadership
We must mentally prepare ourselves and our loved ones for the mission requirements we may face.
TTP – Competition
How does the Christian leader achieve and promote healthy competition while maintaining an atmosphere that fits within the boundaries of "Love thy neighbor as thyself?"
TTP – Character
Character is the most important factor in Christian leadership.
Three Looks
As Christian officers desiring to exercise biblical leadership -- faced with constant flux and in the process of growing in our capacity to lead -- how can we best prepare for our next leadership role?
Thoughts for Young Officers
There's a great deal of talk about servant leadership in the military today, but few Christian officers are actually practicing it as the Lord prescribed.
Stewardship is our goal; leadership is our method
Including stewardship in our leader lexicon may put our responsibility and authority in proper balance. The goal of a Christ-like leader will remain Christ’s goals; the methods, means, and accompanying perks will then better honor Christ in practice
Six ways to follow Jesus’ example and become a transformational leader
Transformational leaders help people understand the purpose, objectives and values of an organization by articulating a clear and appealing vision. From both a practical and biblical perspective, transformational leadership inspires, develops and empowers followers; it also hones our leadership skills so we become better leaders.
Situational Awareness
If you're in your thirties, you are living in a generational, social, and professional gap by no choice of your own. This positioning brings tremendous professional and spiritual challenges; and opportunities.
Satisfaction
The leader's satisfaction comes in doing what he is called to do.
Rescue on the High Seas
I was a modern-day Jonah trying to escape the grasp of God rather than make Him my priority and obey Him.
Professional Excellence (Durfey)
The key to successful leadership is found in the person of Jesus Christ.
Perspectives on servant leadership
The term “servant leadership” evokes a varied range of impressions as to what that really means, looks like, and how it plays out in real life. At first glance, the seemingly incongruous servant leadership concept appears especially contrary in business settings or military circles where typically bosses lead, employees serve.
Passion for Leadership
The godly leader is indeed a powerful witness for Christ. When we follow Christ's example—and let Him take the reins of our leadership—we will experience a calling that is fulfilling beyond measure, and one in which the results are undeniable.
Leadership Moments: Are You Leading?
by Colonel Larry and Bobbie Simpson, USAF (Ret.) “Then Jesus
Leadership lessons for young warriors | Episode 027
Today's guest is LTC Todd Plotner, USA (Ret.), who wrote an article titled “Four Lessons In Leadership for Young Warriors” back in 2013. We'll take a deeper dive into the points he made in that article.
Leadership by Example
Moral character is the one thing the Army cannot give to you; you have to develop it within yourself.
Leadership and the Christian Officer
The effectiveness of a unit depends to maximum degree on the leadership ability of the commander.
Leader, be a clove
Also essential for Christian leaders are the daily development of subordinates; team building for unit cohesion and performance; setting of standards of respect and performance; and seasoning the unit culture with the aroma of Christ.
How do you see others?
Do you see others as the Lord sees them, as diamonds waiting to be set free to achieve their full potential? Steward leadership is taking care of the people who have been “given” to you, developing their full potential, and earning you those wonderful words from the ultimate Steward Leader, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
Four lessons in leadership for young warriors
When commissioned at an OCF bar-pinning ceremony twenty years ago, I was ready to take on the world, but acutely aware I knew little about leadership and military service! Through mistakes and the Lord’s patient refinement, I learned that the Bible is the greatest leadership manual ever written, but we must apply its timeless truths to the circumstances of our lives.
Follow Me
The key to serving others is to have a humble heart.
Five Christ-like ways to serve those you lead
Whether the most junior leader or a four-star flag officer, leaders come to their assignments with choices to be made in opportunities to serve.