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The foundation of the church was laid by Jesus Christ Himself, and His leadership role is central to the life of the church both in the first century and today. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said to Peter, “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Here, Jesus established the truth that He is the founder of the church. He wasn’t merely a teacher of the law but the divine Son of God, chosen to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament and inaugurate a new covenant with humanity through His death and resurrection.

The church, as founded by Christ, was not merely a human institution but a spiritual body. In Ephesians 1:22-23, Paul writes that God “put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” This description of the church as Christ’s body shows that the church was founded on the direct leadership of Christ. Jesus is not just a symbolic leader; He is the head of the church, which functions as His body, carrying out His will and mission on earth. His leadership is not distant or theoretical but active and ongoing.

The early church, established through the apostles under the direct guidance of Christ, reflected His teachings and His example. The apostles, who had walked with Jesus and learned from Him, laid the doctrinal foundation of the church. Acts 2:42 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” The teaching that the apostles spread was based on what they had received from Jesus Himself. Jesus’ leadership was evident in their adherence to His commands, their understanding of His mission, and their commitment to the Great Commission.

Christ’s leadership was also reflected in His promise to be with His followers as they spread His message to the ends of the earth. In Matthew 28:20, He said, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus did not simply found the church and leave; His presence, guidance, and leadership continued through the indwelling of His Word in the hearts and minds of His followers. The early church was led by the teachings of Christ, and His words were faithfully preserved in the Scriptures, which became the authoritative guide for Christian living and church governance.

How Would Christ Lead the True Church Today?

In order to understand how Christ would lead the true church today, we must first acknowledge that His leadership has never ceased. Jesus declared in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” His sovereign rule over the church extends through all ages, meaning that the church today is still under His divine authority and leadership.

Christ leads the true church through His Word, the Scriptures. Paul emphasized this in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, stating, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” In today’s church, Christ’s leadership is manifested in the faithful teaching and application of Scripture. The church must remain grounded in the Word of God, as it is through the Scriptures that Christ communicates His will, doctrines, and instructions.

The church today would also reflect the same characteristics that marked the first-century church: devotion to prayer, fellowship, teaching, and breaking of bread (Acts 2:42). Christ leads His people to live in unity and love, as He commanded in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” The true church today would be a place where love, humility, and servanthood are evident, as these qualities reflect the character of Christ.

Furthermore, the church today must remain mission-minded, fulfilling the Great Commission. Christ’s leadership directs His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). A church that neglects evangelism and the spread of the gospel is not reflecting Christ’s leadership. The mission of the church is to continue proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, just as the early church did under His leadership.

The true church today would also emphasize holiness and obedience to God’s commands. As Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Christ leads His church in holiness, calling His followers to be set apart from the world and to live lives that reflect the righteousness of God. This involves standing firm on biblical truth and not conforming to the sinful patterns of the world (Romans 12:2).

Why Should We Be Submissive to the Pastor Taking the Lead in the Church?

In the church, pastors and elders are appointed to shepherd the flock under the leadership of Christ. Their authority is not autonomous but delegated by Christ, who is the true head of the church. Hebrews 13:17 instructs believers, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” Pastors are responsible for the spiritual care and oversight of the congregation, and their leadership is an extension of Christ’s leadership.

However, it is important to note that submission to church leadership is only appropriate when the pastor is biblically grounded and reflects the characteristics of the first-century church. If a pastor is faithful to Scripture, upholds sound doctrine, and leads in humility, then the congregation should submit to their leadership as they would submit to Christ’s leadership. The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of sound doctrine in Titus 1:9, stating that an elder “must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” A pastor who is faithful to Christ’s teachings will lead the church in accordance with biblical truth, and such leadership deserves the congregation’s respect and submission.

Pastors are called to serve the flock with love, humility, and integrity, following the example of Christ, who is the Chief Shepherd. In 1 Peter 5:2-4, Peter instructs elders, “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” The role of the pastor is to reflect Christ’s leadership by serving and caring for the people of God.

If the church leadership reflects the biblical model, submission to the pastor aligns with submission to Christ. Just as Christ shepherds the church with love, patience, and wisdom, so too must pastors lead with these qualities. When this leadership is in place, the congregation can trust that they are being guided in the ways of Christ.

In What Ways Can Pastors Demonstrate That Christ Is Their Leader?

Pastors, as under-shepherds of Christ, must demonstrate that Christ is their leader by following His example and living according to His teachings. One of the most important ways pastors can do this is by faithfully preaching the Word of God. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul exhorts Timothy, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” A pastor who faithfully teaches Scripture is showing that they are submitting to Christ’s leadership because Christ leads His church through His Word.

Pastors can also demonstrate that Christ is their leader by modeling humility and servanthood. Jesus, in Matthew 20:28, said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Pastors must follow Christ’s example of servanthood by putting the needs of others before their own and serving the church selflessly. This kind of leadership is not about power or control, but about loving and caring for the flock.

Another way pastors can show that Christ is their leader is by being men of prayer. Jesus Himself often withdrew to pray and spend time in communion with Jehovah (Mark 1:35). A pastor who is devoted to prayer is following Christ’s example and acknowledging that they depend on God’s wisdom and guidance. Prayerful leadership demonstrates that the pastor is not relying on their own strength but is seeking Christ’s direction for the church.

Pastors must also live lives of integrity and holiness, reflecting the character of Christ in their personal and public lives. In 1 Timothy 3:2, Paul lists the qualifications for overseers, stating that they “must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.” A pastor’s life must be an example of godliness and righteousness. When pastors live according to these biblical standards, they show that they are following Christ’s leadership.

Lastly, pastors demonstrate that Christ is their leader by leading the church in fulfilling the Great Commission. As Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20, the church is called to make disciples of all nations. A pastor who leads the congregation in evangelism, discipleship, and missions is faithfully following Christ’s command. This reflects a heart aligned with Christ’s mission to seek and save the lost.

In all these ways, pastors show that Christ is their leader when they submit to His Word, serve with humility, live lives of prayer and holiness, and lead the church in fulfilling its God-given mission.

How Does Christ’s Leadership Influence the Direction of the Church?

Christ’s leadership is the defining influence on the direction of the church. As the Head of the church, Christ provides both the mission and the means to accomplish that mission. Ephesians 4:15-16 explains that the church grows and builds itself up in love “when each part is working properly.” This growth and unity are only possible when the church is aligned with Christ’s leadership, submitting to His Word and following His example.

The direction of the church is to be focused on glorifying God, making disciples, and living in obedience to Christ’s commands. Any church that strays from these biblical purposes is not truly following Christ’s leadership. Therefore, the church must constantly evaluate its teachings, practices, and mission to ensure that they align with Scripture and reflect the leadership of Christ.

When Christ’s leadership is central, the church is empowered by His grace and guided by His Spirit through the Word. His leadership provides clarity, purpose, and strength to face challenges and fulfill the Great Commission.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).