Page 7 - Principles of Leadership - Nehemiah

our leadership. MacArthur also says that the word lead is used by a captain of a ship who carefully navigates
through dangerous waters. The Holman Christian Commentary emphasizes the need to be a servant-leader. So
broadly defined, leadership is influence, and, more narrowly defined in the Christian realm, it is a gift that is
given to certain individuals to lead people as He would lead.

“If leadership is primarily about control through positional power, asking followers to do what they are told
regardless of the leader’s example may work to a limited extent. However, if a leader is more about influence
than control, a positive example and leadership model is essential. While it may be tempting simply to dictate
to or tell followers what to do, the most effective leaders understand the importance of action. Leader
behaviors provide a powerful example for followers. Leaders don’t just use words in their communication.
Leaders communicate, for better or for worse, through their actions. Are these actions communicating the right
message? Are they supporting the stated values and vision of the leader and organization?... It’s all about
walking your talk. The leader, above all, has to be a walking example of the vision. Inauthentic leaders can
demand of followers what they as leaders are unwilling to do. However, authentic and purposeful leaders must
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model what matters and be willing to practice what they preach regarding expected organizational behavior.”

Some leadership writers call this Transformational Leadership and contrast it with Transactional Leadership.
“Transactional leaders seek to make a deal that will appeal to the self-interest of both leader and follower…
However, a Transformational Leader seeks to engage followers in a relationship based on their mutual
commitment to a set of values, a mission, or a vision of a better future… Transformational leaders catalyze to
help others recognize their God-given assets - What God has already entrusted to them and is developing
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within them – and to identify ways to put these assets to use as good stewards in the service of others.” This
point will be brought out several times as this study continues. If Nehemiah were to address us today, he would
emphasize that we need to be the change we wish to see in the world.

Many writers on leadership believe that transformational leadership and servant leadership are closely related
to each other. Therefore, I will use these terms interchangeably throughout this study. If we were to look at
Romans 12:1-2, we would discover that transformation is very important to our Lord. This transformation
begins with the renewing of our minds. The ultimate goal of servant / transformational leadership is that we
would be conformed to the image of His blessed Son. (Romans 8:29) With this goal in mind, it will lead us to the
“ultimate test of transformational leadership, which is the reproduction of a new generation of
transformational leaders to strengthen and expand the transformation community. Substantial, healthy, and
healing change will not last apart from the work of the next generation of leaders. Transformation is never
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finished.”

The Division of the Book of Nehemiah
Most theologians divide the book of Nehemiah into two divisions. I have followed the outline found in
Raymond Brown's commentary on Nehemiah.

“Rebuilding the Walls (1:1 - 7:73)
1. The servant’s preparation (1:1-11)
2. The servant's guidance (2:1-10)
3. The servant's strategy (2:11-20)
4. The servant's patterns (3:1-32)
5. The servant’s confidence (4:1-23)
6. The servant's compassion (5:1-19)
7. The servant's protection (6:1-19)
8. The servant’s convections (7:1-73)

Reforming the Community (8:1 – 13:31)
9. Bringing the Book (8:1-18)
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