I will say it: there are too many scandals hitting the Christian church. Do you agree? Don’t get me wrong, I am not judging anyone involved. We should be keenly aware that we do not know the whole story of what happened and how it happened. We only have very partial and limited information on the ins and outs of immoral behavior. Can a leader truly be one leading with integrity? Here are a few realities from the inadequately insufficient data we have from such infamy.
- No church leader starts by saying, “I will bring down my church by leading them into chaos.”
- Sin creeps in and slowly gains ground. Paul said it this way “do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:27 NIV). A foothold is an opportunity given, a small crack in the wall, or your character.
- The log in our own eye is very hard to see compared to the speck in your neighbor’s eye, as Jesus so well explained (Matthew 7:5). This is a warning that blind spots exist in your life.
- Secrecy is a bad policy, but confidentiality is a needed one. Secrecy is about not talking, while confidentiality is about guarding our mouths against gossip and sharing what other people tell us in their vulnerable times. Secrecy is hiding; confidentiality is guarding.
- Isolation is often a common denominator, which is why Peter warns us to “Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 CEB).
So how do you know you’re leading with integrity? There are infinite numbers of ways, but here are 8 sure-fire ways to do so:
1. You are accountable to someone
This is the most important one. Your life should be lived on purpose, and purposeful living is to allow people in your life. In this spiritual leadership integrity concept, you have people that will speak into your life. Mentors, coaches, counselors, and overseers have access to your personal and inner life and sometimes to your financial numbers. I would add, have people that have nothing to gain from you: no salary, no job offers, no possible promotion, and no recognition.
Who are those people that have access to you and can congratulate you when needed and correct you when required? You know you are leading with integrity when you have those overseers in your life as they can evaluate your purpose and how purposeful you are in living it out.
2. You lead a life of transparency
One of my mentors taught me this when I was a young teenager “Live your life like a window.” I thought that was a little ludicrous, honestly. I learned quickly how wise that counsel was. A window allows people to peek in when necessary, yet, it is also possible to turn the shades down when privacy is needed.
Privacy in regards to your personal life is as important as transparency is for your public life. Yet, the two are never far away from each other.
Having nothing to hide makes life so much easier. Think about it for a second? You don’t need to fear that your skeletons will walk out of your closet or that some dark secret will come and haunt you. You know Jesus told us, “You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later, the mask will slip, and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.” (Luke 2:2-3 MSG). Your life of integrity forces you to be the same, everywhere, all the time. This will bring you freedom.
3. You lead a life of high standards
“Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards.” (James 3:1 MSG). Leaders in a church are held to a higher standard of living, whether you like it or not! If you disagree, you are not in the right line of work. Leave now. Do something else. There is no judgment here, and yes, this is a wake-up call.
Grace should always be present in your life: you give it and receive it. You can look at yourself daily and, in full honesty and integrity, be able to live “with yourself.” The man or woman in the mirror is not perfect yet; that person can be full of integrity.
4. You lead a spiritual life
“Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking. Don’t let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true.” (Psalm 139:23-24 CEV). A dry and non-existent spiritual life is a highway to destruction. Leading with integrity requires spiritual introspection. If you let the Holy Spirit search you and probe your inner thoughts, He will guide you to life. God will remind you how you treated the people you serve, handled conversations, and led your life, family, and church.
5. You lead a life of simplicity and modesty
Complicated lives are hard to manage. They have detours, curbs, pit stops, blind spots, and too many details to lead. Simplicity doesn’t mean you drive an old car and live in a dumpster. It does demand modesty to be your lifestyle.
The ingredients for modesty are the refusal to flaunt riches and displaying inner character instead of outward appearance.
God made it very simple for you and me: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV). Simple but not simplistic. You know are leading with integrity when you use this verse as a measuring stick.
6. You lead a life full of relationships
Being an introvert or an extrovert has nothing to do with this, nor is it about being process or people-oriented. As mentioned earlier, to lead with integrity, you need to develop relationships that check up on you and build rapport with the people you lead. The more you know the people you serve, the more you love them.
As a mentor told me, “ The shepherd should smell like the sheep for his odors proves proximity.”
7. You lead a conversational life
Another path to walk is having all the conversations you need to have. You know, the good, the bad, the ugly, the rewarding, the discouraging, the promotional and confrontational ones as well.
When you are willing to have all those discussions, it balances out your human desire for approval, love, and appreciation.
8. You lead a life of honest admittance
Leading with integrity prescribes a good dose of humility. You know you will have to admit your wrongs, ask for forgiveness, give honor to people, correct ways, and change paths. All this is for the best.
Admitting you don’t know, admitting the great idea is from someone else, admitting you need help, admitting you can’t, and admitting you should’ve.
Admitting people in, admitting advice in, admitting and accepting remedies, admitting the Holy Spirit to correct, strengthen, and give life to a leader in search of an integral life.
As you live and lead with integrity, you will steer away from scandal, secrecy, and self-righteousness and walk on paths of worthiness, openness, and virtue. All of this matters because your leadership is about people coming to know Jesus. That is the most important thing. When you keep the main thing at the center, you will succeed!
