“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you…..” – Heb13:17

Here the word “leaders” is plural. Apostle Paul directed Titus to appoint elders in every town which is also plural. (Titus 1:5) As the churches are planted during the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas, they also appointed elders as overseers for each church. (Ac 14:23; 20:17)The New Testament clearly teaches that the leadership in a local church to be plural. Plural leadership is not just a safeguard against the abuse of authority but also a need for shared leadership responsibility.

In the west coast of Auckland, New Zealand, a kind bird called gannet. Before they settle down to havefamilies they will have an “overseas” experience by flying across continents. According the expert, they fly in “V” formation which will save them about 70 percent of their energy except for the leading gannet. When the leading gannet gets tired, another gannet behind will swap its position to lead the flock.

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you” ((Job 12:7) Sure, we can learn from these gannets, they know leadership responsibility needs to be shared. The task of leading a local church is too much for one individual unless the church is very small. In shared leadership, leaders are responsible to work together in unity and put priority on Godly relationship.

Let’s pray.

Lord, teach me to lead with a spirit of humility and regard others better than myself so that I can share leadership responsibility with others. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Before we go, take a look at the questionnaire below:

1. The New Testament indicates that local churches were often led by a group of leaders rather than by a single individual. In modern organizational management, what do you see as the key advantages of this collective leadership approach, and what potential challenges might it present?

2. Pelicans take turns leading when migrating over long distances. What insights does this behavior offer for understanding effective teamwork and rotating leadership roles?

3. In your experience, how can an organization or institution ensure unity and harmony within its leadership team?