Jesus CEO, Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership

-written by Laurie Beth Jones

You’re not the Boss of Me!

Well then, who is your boss?  This is a question I have been faced with several times over 15 years of ministry.  Primarily, because the people I have worked for have changed many times.  The truth is that people come and go for a variety of reasons.   Each time my boss left, people asked me: "Well, what will you do now?”  "Are you planning to stay or are you thinking about leaving?”

 The first time my boss transitioned elsewhere and this question was posed to me, I had to stop and think.  Does the fact that my immediate report is gone, going to change how God is using me here? Who do I work for - really?  It took me a bit to know the answer.  For me, the answer is and always will be Jesus.  Jesus is my boss.  He is my CEO.  He is the one I work for.  He is the one I aim to please.  I want to be on His team and collaborate with him.  I want Him leading me, and I want to lead like Him.

Which is likely the reason I grabbed this book; Jesus CEO, Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership written by Laurie Beth Jones.  As a leader in the field of coaching and training, she began studying Jesus’ leadership techniques.  She realized that he had three categories of strengths:  

  • Strength of Self-Mastery

  • Strength of Action

  • Strength of Relationships

Many of us have mastered one or two of these categories, but we lack in the other.  Laurie Beth uses Jesus as the perfect example of excellent leadership by sharing scripture references and examples.   One to follow and model, she breaks down what Jesus did to lead, inspire and release others to go and to lead themselves.  

 A chapter that really spoke to me exactly when I needed it was about burning leadership.  She talks about three types of burning leadership.  They are:

  • Burning heart

  • Burning bush

  • Burning house

Burning heart leadership would be the kind of call that King David had.  He said I’ll go fight the giant.  It isn’t fair that he is being a bully to our people.  Burning bush leadership is the kind of call that Moses had.  It took a miracle to get his attention.  Lastly, the burning house type of leadership is the kind of call that Queen Esther had in order to save her people.   This really spoke to me as I have found myself leading from a burning house type of leadership recently.  Digging deep and relying on God’s strength and courage as I try to lead in ways I would rather not.  

I really enjoyed this book because each chapter is short (only about 3 pages each) and full of nuggets to help you understand the way Jesus led and the motivating ways you can be like Him.  I would encourage you to use it as a daily devotion or as a journal prompt.   Enjoy!