This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus—the most influential Leader the world has ever seen—I’ve been thinking about leadership. About what it means to lead, to be led, and how God continues to guide His Church through the seasons of change.
This year has been a big one for leadership transitions across our Church and that’s expected in a year of constituency meetings and sessions. For me personally, there have been significant changes too. I have a new boss—Pastor Erton Köhler, our General Conference president—a new vice president, and three new union presidents.
Change brings a mix of feelings—hope and excitement, but also uncertainty.
We ask: What will change? What will stay the same? How will this new leader relate to me and develop me? What’s their vision and how can I support them?
The best way to find out is to engage—to listen, to learn and to serve with enthusiasm.
Leadership is something that we share; it’s a journey we take together. But even the best human leaders will sometimes disappoint us. The Bible shows us that. It’s full of stories of leaders—some faithful, others deeply flawed. And yet through it all, God reminds us that He Himself wants to lead His people. That’s what Christmas is all about: God revealing His best leadership through His Son, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1,2 says, “In the past God spoke through the prophets in many and various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us through His Son.”
Jesus—the Creator—became one of us. He experienced our struggles and joys. And though He was without sin, He gave His life to conquer sin and death, offering us forgiveness, hope and eternal life. That’s leadership like no other—humble, self-sacrificing, redemptive. And that’s what we celebrate at Christmas: that God came near to lead us personally into hope and a new life.
This Christmas, may you experience His peace, His joy and His hope. Because Jesus—the true Leader—is still guiding His Church, He’s still King of the earth and leading each one of us.
