There are two leadership principles I would like to discuss from the lives of two people in the Bible.
When we look closely at these two individuals, we see that one represents the law while the other represents grace. As you will discover, the law demands perfection before enlistment, while grace trains you into who you are meant to become.
This is why it’s helpful to understand Biblical Leadership Principles, which show how God guides, trains, and shapes those He calls.
I call these principles the Saul Leadership Principle and the David Leadership Principle. Let us examine them one after the other, beginning with Saul.
1.The Saul Leadership Principle.
1 Samuel 14:52 (KJV)
“And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.”
From this passage, we can clearly understand what Saul’s leadership principle entails. It is a leadership style that looks only for qualified people.
To be part of Saul’s team, you must already be trained or have trained yourself. Once you are found qualified, you are accepted. If you are found unqualified, you have no chance.
Saul’s leadership principle does not take responsibility for training people to become what he needs. Training people is considered too time-consuming and resource-demanding, so he looks for ready-made vessels.
As far as Saul is concerned, if you are physically qualified but lack a walk with God, you are still acceptable. His leadership principle does not prioritize spiritual depth because physical qualification is already visible.
Saul’s Leadership Principle in the Church Today
There are pastors and churches that operate this same leadership style. These churches are constantly on the lookout for already-qualified vessels. If you come to such a church and they believe you are “anointed,” they will do everything possible to keep you.
They are always searching for skilled musicians to mount the instruments, whether or not the person has a genuine spiritual walk. As long as the person can play well, it is considered acceptable. In the same way, King Saul’s unnecessary fast shows what happens when focus shifts from God’s timing to outward actions, helping us make wiser choices in fasting and devotion.
This leadership style does not mind attracting good workers, interpreters, or ministers from other churches by offering better benefits. They openly tell people what they stand to gain if they leave where they are and join them.
They also seek out popular preachers who can draw crowds, bringing them in to pastor their churches.
This principle believes that the end justifies the means, not the process.
If you are working under this leadership style, your potential may never be noticed, because they are not looking for potential — they are looking for fully developed, functional talent.
Is the Saul Leadership Principle Wrong?
Is this a bad leadership principle? Not necessarily.
However, it is not the best for the Kingdom, because many of the greatest vessels in God’s hands often come as raw materials. When we look only for ready-made vessels, we produce the kind of soldiers God does not want them to be—and no believer should ever become such a soldier.
Consider the apostles of Jesus Christ. If Jesus had only been looking for qualified people, the gospel may never have reached us. A powerful preacher like Peter would never have been discovered.
Many young men and women are not being molded into what God intends for them because some Christian organizations operate strictly under this principle.
In Saul’s leadership structure, to be recognized, you must first prove yourself. You must possess one or two professional skills. You must have something tangible to show. If you have nothing to present, that organization is not for you.
I will stop here so this post does not become too long.
In the next post, we will discuss David’s Leadership Principle.
Do you operate Saul’s leadership principle?
So, whether you agree with Saul’s leadership principles or not, you should learn the lesson of correcting people properly, because how you speak to others matters greatly in leadership.
If this message has spoken to you, here are some related teachings that will help you understand Leadership Principle more deeply:
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