The Significance of Integrity
-Christine Agius
Together with a class, I took a very interesting course on leadership called, Guidelines
for Leadership offered by Global University. It provided us with an up to date theology
of Christian leadership.
The core of this course is for every Christian who is called to serve in leadership, to fully understand that
each leader is a person with God-given capacity and with God-given responsibility to influence a specific
group of God’s people toward God’s purposes for the group. (J.R. Clinton – 1984, p.18).
This specific course teaches on various aspects in leadership and I chose to share on integrity because it
is one of the most essential values for every Christian leader.The word integrity
comes from the Latin word integer, meaning “wholeness, moral uprightness,
incorruptibility, honesty.” In the secular world it is used to describe people who
are trustworthy and responsible in all situations. Many people try to influence
others by the image they project, but the truth is that integrity is what you really
are and for Christians it signifies harmony between words and deeds.
The Christian servant leader influences his followers and is fruitful when he is
consistent. The leader’s honesty and uprightness in every circumstance wins his
followers’ trust and confidence because what he believes, says and does are the
same. “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your
teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be
condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about
us.” Titus 2:7-8.
Reading Paul’s counsel to the young preacher and reading other Scriptures through the Bible, we can
clearly see that God is looking for people whom He could trust to serve Him wholeheartedly and guide His
church towards holiness. The Christian leader must show in his life the evidence of integrity: honesty,
soundness, and obedience to the Word of God. If people think that being a leader of integrity is easy, they
are very mistaken. Integrity touches every area of our life and ministry, it involves living consistently with
the truth God has revealed to us.
A sincere and transparent, born-again Christian has the Spirit of God dwelling within his heart. The Bible
says that we do not do things with our ability or strength, but by the Spirit of God. When we yield to the
Spirit of God, a radical transformation from within occurs and the desire to obey God and serve Him
initiates. Being a leader of integrity takes more than human effort and it’s only by our strong love, faith
towards the Lord and will to obey Him, we are empowered.
The Christian leader of integrity, lives in the Spirit, walks in the Spirit and is filled with the Spirit. Through
this condition of the heart and spirit, by grace we are given wisdom to do the right choices and lead the
congregation in God’s perfect plan.
The Christian
servant leader
influences his
followers and is
fruitful when he
is consistent.