This article originally appeared in the August/September 2015 issue of Influence magazine. For more fresh print content, subscribe here.

What am I doing? 
I was 26 years old, driving an hour home late at night after preaching to a handful of people at a nursing home, when I asked God this question.

It had been nearly a decade since I had sensed Him calling me - a shy, timid, seemingly average teenager at the time - to become a pastor and leader. During those years, I had led my way as far as the pulpit of a small Presbyterian church in rural Missouri - and to a nursing home where I preached once a month.

I pleaded with God that night in my car, asking Him, "Why am I spending so much time apart from my wife and newborn baby? Why am I wasting my gifts and skills? Why does this feel so inconsequential? What am I doing?

And I heard Him answer: "This isn't about you."

Defining Leadership

As I reflect on how God spoke to me that night, I remember feeling so convicted and shaken by God's response.

This isn't about you. Ministry isn't about you. Leadership isn't about you. Your calling is not about you.

Somehow, in a matter of years, I'd gone from uncertainty about whether I was good enough for God to use to feeling I was too good for the ways in which God was using me. I had gone from feeling humbled by the opportunity to serve to believing I was the one deserving of service. I had gone from, "What would You have me do?" to, "What am I doing?" 
I was neither the first nor the last minister to come to God with my disappointment and questions. There can be a wide gap between our expectation of what leadership is like and the reality of our performance and placement as leaders. If leaders are not careful, that gap can fill up with frustration, burnout, ego, pride and immorality. Statistics point to the dark sides of Christian leadership, especially at higher levels. According to Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development, about three-quarters of pastors think about leaving their positions because of burnout. James Dobson of Focus on the Family once estimated that 1,500 ministers quit the ministry each month. Multiple studies show clergy are more likely to struggle with obesity, high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, anxiety and depression. LifeWay Research reports that 23 percent of pastors admit to personal struggles with mental illness - a number on par with that of the rest of Americans - and 55 percent of ministers report recurrent feelings of loneliness or discouragement.
These numbers might come as a surprise considering the abundance of theories, conferences and books on leadership. From start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, small churches to multicampus ministries, our culture has an obsession with the concept of leadership (a word that, strangely enough, rarely appears in the Bible).

Ministry isn't about you. Leadership isn't about you. Your calling is not about you.

Many of the leadership resources available today do offer great and life-changing wisdom, grounded in proven theories or godly principles. Exploring and studying such material can certainly be worthwhile. But always expecting quick fixes and simple solutions can lead to even more frustration because, ultimately, the key to leadership is not a method, but a character. It's not a formula, but a journey. It's not a one-time answer, but a lifetime of asking better questions, such as these:

Whom am I following?
Who is following me?

Where are we going?

How are we going to get there?
What is this all about?

At its core, stripped of all titles and trappings, leadership is influence. John Maxwell may get credit for this definition of leadership, but it's also the essence of leadership in Scripture. And there is one example of influential leadership that stands above the rest: the life of Jesus Christ.

My hope is that, above any bestseller or breakout session - or even this magazine - we would prioritize Jesus' personality and ministry, allowing His influence to shape our perspective of biblical leadership.

The Problem With Success

Before we define what it means to lead effectively, we first need a proper definition of success.

In leading, and working with countless leaders across the country, I've noticed that an unhealthy definition of success produces many of the problems leaders encounter. We tend to define success based on prior experience, numeric growth, comparison to others or a strategic plan we can put on paper. But defining success in these ways only widens the gap between expectation and performance, moving us into dangerous territory.

The message of Scripture and the example of Jesus reveal that fruitfulness in leadership comes from faithfulness to God. True success comes through obeying Him. Personal ambition and comparison, though motivating for a time, create a cloudy view of success. This leads to all kinds of problems, including a strong desire to doubt God and quit before His purpose for our lives can really take root.

When we embrace a proper definition of success, we change our attitude, the trajectory of our ministry and, ultimately, our ability to influence.

The Attitude of Leadership

Ask people what a leader looks like, and they might refer to some self-made, success-driven, charismatic CEO. Perhaps they will mention a president, a well- known pastor or a world-class coach. But Scripture offers a different, less glamorous picture: that of a shepherd.

In John 10:11, Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd." Of course, Jesus embodies other leadership roles as well. The Bible calls Him Prophet, Priest and King. But in illustrating the contrast between His leadership and that of false teachers, Jesus used the imagery of a shepherd.

This shepherd model parallels a long line of great biblical leaders who also were shepherds or embraced the characteristics of the shepherd-leader. Abraham was a shepherd who traveled with his family and livestock to a land God promised to show him (Genesis 12:1). And because of his obedience to God, this humble shepherd moved from obscurity to prominence. Moses spent 40 years in the field with the sheep entrusted to his care. Those years prepared him to lead Israel from captivity to promise. David's early years tending sheep strengthened his heart and mind to face giants and lead with courage. Second Samuel 7 emphasizes that many overlooked the shepherd boy from the fields, but God recognized him as uniquely qualified to lead His people from cowering to conquest. While there were fewer notable women shepherds mentioned in the Bible, many exhibited the brave, compassionate, hardworking traits of the shepherd-leader: Esther, Mary, Tabitha, Ruth, Priscilla and Phoebe, just to name a few. And let's not forget that a group of shepherds were among the first to meet Jesus and then tell others about Him (Luke 2:8-17).

In his description of what he calls the Level 5 Leader, bestselling business author Jim Collins highlights two key traits: extreme humility and intense professional will. To Collins, this counterintuitive combination is what turns good leaders into the best leaders. Coincidentally, these are also the two main characteristics I see in the shepherding role. Consider the shepherd's schedule: daily, patiently working in close proximity to the sheep. Sometimes the shepherd's tasks are carried out over long hours and in less-than-ideal conditions. It is intimate, focused, selfless work. Jesus says, "I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14,15).

This is the same shepherd's spirit that led Jesus to kneel down and wash the feet of His own disciples in John 13. Jesus literally got low, bending down in humility. In doing so, Jesus taught that the attitude of the leader (humility) leads to the posture of the leader (bottom-up, rather than top-down). In a very physical way, Jesus modeled what influential, shepherd-like leadership looks like.

The shepherd's line of work doesn't draw much attention - and that's kind of Jesus' point. To Him, good leaders aren't looking for personal gain, glory or success. Their attitude is a humble, wholehearted one that puts the mission and the followers first. As Ezekiel 34:2 warns, "Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?"

My father is a shepherd. No, he's not a real shepherd, but he embodies the shepherd-leader qualities outlined above. He is kind and tenderhearted. He never puts others down, and he never promotes himself. Corporate America, and even much of the church world, often views such people as weaklings or pushovers. But the older I get, the more I want to be like my dad. The world could use more people like my father, true leaders who can say, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

President Harry S. Truman once said, "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

I have a pastor friend who says something similar, and even more fitting to the subject at hand: "I don't care who gets the credit, as long as God gets the glory."

Certainly, recognition may come to you or your department or your organization as you walk in your calling, whatever that may be. But the attitude of great leaders is to care more about spreading the message than about simply being heard.

True influence comes from a place of deep humility.

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The Action of Leadership

Let's go back to Jesus washing the disciples' feet in John 13. Jesus honed a curious leadership style during His years on Earth, but He still managed to set a new standard at the Last Supper. In verses 4-20, we reach what is essentially the bookend of Jesus' ministry, just before His betrayal and crucifixion. During a meal with His disciples, Jesus removed His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, filled a basin with water and knelt down before each of the men to wash their feet. The Son of God - whose hands brought forth miracles, whose words drew crowds of thousands and whose soul was sinless - knelt before His followers. Jesus, whose Father formed man from the dust, came down to wash the dust from man's feet. And then He instructed them to do the same: "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him" (verses 14-16).

Our culture loves to honor its leaders, and this is a natural and noble instinct. But this can also create tension when leaders become too isolated to connect to their followers and too pampered to experience sacrifice. It makes it even easier for leaders to get caught up in the "church growth playbook" - always looking at the next rung on the ladder - or to embrace comfort and convenience in the pursuit of a personal platform.

Remember the turning point I described earlier, when I cried out to God in my car? I'd like to say that was the last one, but there have been other major crossroads - and crises - in my personal career as a leader. Years after that pivotal car ride, I was on staff at a large church in Dallas, Texas, with all the support and friends and perks that such a position provides. That's when God challenged me to leave my comfortable position and start a church in another city. It was a scary step of faith, but it brought great reward. Fast-forward five years: I was leading a rapidly growing church in North Texas, with plans for a new building and more staff to continue reaching this city my family now loved. But God urged me to take another step of faith, this time to leave the promising ministry we started to take a role in denominational leadership.

During each of these transitions, the move didn't make sense on so many levels and to so many people, but I knew it was God's will. I prayed and wrestled with God over my purpose, and in the process I learned something about Christian influence and about myself. So much of my identity had become wrapped up in being a certain kind of pastor. But I'm not called to be a pastor - not really. I'm not called to a city. I'm not called to a platform. First and foremost, I'm called to a voice: God's voice. God reminded me that He gave me ministry gifts for His benefit, not mine, for His Kingdom, not mine, for His glory, not mine. And when the voice of God says, "Move," what else can I do?

Personal ambition is OK, and sometimes even necessary for effective leadership, as long as it does not eclipse the service of God and others. Think of leading as actually being the lead follower, ever- ready to sacrifice your pride, your comfort and your carefully laid plans for His far greater plan. As Abraham Lincoln once said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

John 13:3 reminds us that more power and influence should bring us "lower" and closer to others: "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God."

You can't have more authority and influence than that - yet Jesus chose to exercise it by crouching on the ground and wiping off the feet of those who called Him Lord (even the feet of those who were about to turn on Him or deny Him during His execution).

I'm not saying you need to have a basin inside your office, ready to cleanse the feet of the next employee or congregant or small group member who walks in the door. But I am saying that the elevation of your ego should never drive your daily choices and actions, whether you are a senior or staff pastor, board member, elder or lead volunteer. Like Jesus, you should go instead to the people following you and say, "How can I help? How can I place value on you? How can I serve you? How can I set aside some time to clear the dust away for you?"

True influence sacrificially serves.

The Outcome of Leadership

I've heard it said that if no one is following you, you're not leading - you're just taking a walk. I'd add that if you're not multiplying, you're not really leading.

The goal of leadership is multiplication. I'm not just talking about multiplication in numbers. Good leaders also multiply a message, a culture and a lifestyle. Good leaders multiply their influence.

When I describe this kind of holistic multiplication, I refer to my relationship with my sons. As their father, I influence them - at least right now, while they are young and I still seem cool. We all have buzzed heads. We all like the same sports teams. We are interested in many of the same things. Within my family, I've inevitably multiplied the things I love and do and believe.

Similarly, good leadership does not begin and end with the contributions of one man or one woman at the top. The influences of biblical leadership extend into the characteristics of the community in which he or she leads. What are the communal qualities, benefits and goals? How are the staff and organization growing together? If the vision stops with the leaders, they were never really leading anyway.

In Matthew 25, Jesus offers a strong admonishment to those who do not multiply. Verses 14-28 contain the well-known parable of the talents, in which a man entrusts his three servants with great amounts of money, or talents, and then leaves on a journey. When he returns, two of the servants have wisely invested and multiplied what they received. "Well done, good and faithful servant!" the master tells them in verse 21. "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."

But there is one servant who can't see the big picture. Out of fear and self-preservation, he buries his talent in the ground, and the master deems him "worthless" (verse 30).

What is the "talent" with which God has entrusted you? Christian leadership can take many shapes. Perhaps you are a gifted academic, orator, administrator, networker, musician or manager. When you approach your leadership abilities as a shepherd and servant, you will always invest them for the greater good and the multiplication of the Kingdom, rather than hoarding them for personal gain and fame.

A few books over from the parable of the talents, Scripture depicts a beautiful culture of multiplication: the Early Church. In Acts 2:42-47, there are clear indicators of the Holy Spirit's work and the disciples' leadership. This community was known for staying connected rather than isolated, for reaching out rather than growing complacent, for meeting needs rather than embracing consumerism, for producing growth rather than stagnating spiritually and for worshipping God rather than glorifying self.

As a result, the early Christians multiplied in number and in character. We are still learning from them today. I can't help but think it is because some of the leaders among them once sat around a table with someone like Jesus, who washed their feet and told them, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:17).

True influence multiplies.

The Basics of Influence

I asked my son recently what it meant to be a leader. He said a leader is someone who follows Jesus and helps other people learn about and follow Jesus, too. I thought that was a pretty good definition.

I should note that my son is 10 years old. He has never read a leadership book or attended a leadership conference. He is not wrestling with the tension of leadership versus management. He has never heard of Peter Drucker, and he has no concept of eight stages, 10 steps or 21 irrefutable anything. He does have a growing affinity for the TV show "Shark Tank," so he is trying to figure out how he can decrease his margins and diversify his portfolio. But for the most part, it's still pretty simple for my son. To him, leadership is about pursuing a relationship with Jesus and helping others with theirs. Not bad. I'm thinking he might have leadership potential.

For the older, more "seasoned" leaders, there is a lot of material to sort through. Mentors, both good and bad, have shaped our definitions and practices. Classes, articles, books and sermons have contributed to, and often complicated, our understanding of leadership. Maybe it's time to go back to the basics - to simplify and view leadership through the lens of Christ's life. Maybe it's time to quit looking at what's on our shelves, our bank statements, our résumés, our stages or our social media accounts to determine whether we're leading well, and instead look at more enduring things, such as our attitude, our actions and our outcomes.

We desperately need anointed, Spirit-empowered, divinely called men and women of God who possess passion to see change in our families, our nation and our world. Are you one of them?

Chris Railey is the executive director of Influence and the senior director of leadership and church development ministries for the Assemblies of God, U.S.A.