Inescapably An Eschatological Leader

[This essay was initially written Fall of 2015 in Theology of Christian Leadership class at Criswell College under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Graham.]

“Leadership is the act or task of making an intentional contribution toward the direction and motivation of a group in the framing and pursuit of a common purpose,” David Starling writes. Leadership according to Starlings’ definition has purpose and direction. When we consider these two characteristics of leadership within Christian leadership and theology in particular, we will soon discover that Christian leadership is eschatological. Stan Grenz observes that in the study of eschatology “we speak about God’s goal or purpose for his activity in the lives of individuals, in human history, and in creation.” As a Christian leader representing the purposes of God, we lead people toward his telos and in expectation of the consummation of his new creation. This transforms the way we approach Christian leadership within the church and within children’s ministry. It requires Christian leaders (and the church) to model God’s new humanity in so far as possible, and affects our disposition in the present dying and decaying world.

God’s eschatological plans provide us with confidence as a participant in his divine program in the present evil age. Jesus encourages his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion to take heart because he has overcome the world (John 16:31). Though opposition opposes, we are able to have confidence in God’s eschatological plan, because Jesus has first overcome the world.

God’s eschatological plans motivates us toward an urgency for gospel proclamation. God’s imminent plan to finalize his rule and reign, thereby destroying his enemies urges me to call men, women, and children under his reign. 

God’s eschatological plans provokes us to have a present joy, knowing the telos of God’s divine program. While Jesus conveys to his disciples that they will have much sorrow, he affirms they will have much joy when they see him again (John 16:22). The apostle Paul describes it “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10).

God’s eschatological plans encourages us toward steadfastness in holy living. Paul in Romans 13:11-14 calls us to holy living because “the night is far gone; the day [of salvation] is at hand.” By the power of God’s Spirit, I am able to presently participate in the holy life which will be consummated in God’s new creation.

The disposition of the Christian leader is inescapably affected in the present by God’s eschatology plans for his new creation. God’s eschatological plans form the backbone of Christian leadership, and the Christian leader depends upon God’s consummative action in the future for his/her mission and direction today.