Training Leaders to Walk in Humility Without Losing Authority
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In today’s culture, humility is often mistaken for weakness, and authority is often confused with arrogance. But in the Kingdom of God, the two are not only compatible—they are inseparable.
If you’re a pastor or church leader raising up a team, here’s a vital lesson to teach: real spiritual authority is rooted in humility.
Jesus didn’t come to dominate. He came to serve.
But He never lacked power, presence, or influence.
He carried a towel—and a sword.
And if our leaders are going to walk like Him, they must learn to do the same.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
We live in a world where:
- People equate confidence with pride.
- The loudest voice is assumed to be the most powerful.
- Leadership is admired, but servanthood is overlooked.
In the Church, this can lead to extremes:
- Passive leaders who confuse meekness with silence.
- Authoritarian leaders who mistake boldness for dominance.
The balance? Jesus.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus… made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant." (Philippians 2:5,7)
And yet, demons still trembled when He walked into the room.
What Humble Authority Looks Like in Leadership
- Confidence Without Control
A leader can speak boldly and act decisively without micromanaging or manipulating. - Correction Without Condescension
Humble authority corrects in love, not shame. It lifts people up instead of putting them down. - Security Without Spotlight
Humble leaders don’t need applause. They know who they are in God, and that’s enough. - Servanthood Without Inferiority
They’ll mop floors and preach sermons with the same heart. Nothing is beneath them.
How to Train Your Team to Walk in This Balance
1. Teach the Dual Identity of Jesus
He was both Servant and Savior.
- He washed feet (John 13)
- He cast out demons (Mark 1)
- He hung on a cross (Luke 23)
- He walked out of a tomb with all authority (Matthew 28:18)
Teach your team that spiritual leadership doesn’t require choosing between meekness and might. It requires both.
2. Reinforce Identity in Christ
Leaders with a secure identity don’t need titles to feel valuable.
Their authority comes from:
- Their submission to Jesus
- Their time in prayer
- Their obedience to the Word
Train them to lead from who they are in God, not from insecurity.
3. Model It Relentlessly
Don’t just teach it. Live it.
- Serve visibly.
- Pray with tears.
- Apologize when you miss it.
- Submit to spiritual authority yourself.
Your team will mirror your posture.
4. Encourage Quiet Faithfulness
Celebrate the unseen wins.
Affirm those who show up early, clean behind the scenes, or pray faithfully.
Let them know: Heaven notices. And real authority is being built in the shadows.
5. Teach Them to War from the Prayer Room
A humble leader isn’t soft. They just know where power comes from.
Encourage your leaders to:
- Intercede with boldness
- Speak the Word with fire
- Take dominion over their ministry area
Because the towel trains the heart, and the sword trains the spirit.
Mistakes to Avoid When Training for Humble Authority
- Don’t confuse silence with submission. A leader can be quiet and still be resistant.
- Don’t reward prideful performance. Just because someone’s bold doesn’t mean they’re healthy.
- Don’t allow false humility. Shrinking back isn’t spiritual—it’s often fear disguised as meekness.
Why This Kind of Leadership Is Vital in This Hour
The Church doesn’t need more celebrities. It needs more shepherds.
It doesn’t need louder voices. It needs deeper wells.
In a time of cultural chaos and spiritual warfare, your church needs leaders who:
- Know how to wash feet
- Know how to slay giants
- Know how to walk in love
- Know how to walk in authority
Leaders who know when to speak peace, and when to drive out devils.
Who know when to sit with the broken, and when to stand against the enemy.
Final Word for the Pastor Raising Up a Healthy Team
If your team can carry towels and swords…
If they can bend low in prayer and stand tall in conflict…
If they can serve without applause and lead without control…
…then you’re building something Heaven will trust with power.
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6)
So raise up leaders who walk in humility without losing authority.
Because the Church needs warriors with clean hands and burning hearts.
And this generation needs to see what real, Christlike leadership actually looks like.
Want more articles and resources to build servant-hearted, Spirit-empowered leadership teams? Visit PreachIt.org and access tools that help your church lead well in every season.
About Pastor James Smith
Pastor James Smith, Valparaiso, Indiana – Founder of PreachIt.org, OpportunityHope.org, and PastoralHelps.com.
He equips pastors worldwide with sermons, leadership tools, and encouragement, while also caring for orphaned and at-risk children in West Bengal, India through OpportunityHope. Beyond the orphanage and school, OpportunityHope provides clean water wells, livestock, and other humanitarian helps to families and villages in need. Additional books, leadership training, and mentoring resources are available through PastoralHelps.com.
