In some locations around the world, it would be dangerous, even deadly, to acknowledge that you are a Christ-follower. Faith-centered leadership has become increasingly risky. In the United States, where the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, it does not provide freedom from persecution. A recent pole finds the majority of US Christians believe they are suffering persecution for their faith.[1] Whether threatened by physical danger, or the danger of being cancelled socially or politically, the temptation for a father-centered leader is to stay incognito—under the radar, as it were. Is it possible to influence people toward faith as a leader, and yet seldom speak publicly on faith-centered beliefs and practices?
Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order, is known for his ministry to the poor and underprivileged. One of the most venerated figures in Christianity, he was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228.[2] Francis famously wrote, “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” The idea inferred in this quote is that often the most powerful faith-centered messages are unspoken. We can exude Christ through just our actions. If we simply live with integrity and decency, people will notice. If we are also generous, compassionate, joyful, happy and optimistic, others will approach us and ask about the source of our outlook, and then we are open to speak of faith without fear of retribution. In today’s Christian-averse culture, this is an attractive alternative to the risk of sharing faith openly and boldly.
It is not, however, what Saint Francis meant, nor an example of his own methodology of sharing the Gospel. Saint Francis’ life was one dedicated to preaching the Gospel out loud to any and all. He traveled the countryside preaching penance, brotherly love, and peace. He nursed lepers and begged for stones, which he used to rebuild ruined chapels—both of these proved unpopular with church leaders. At the time, Francis needed a license to preach to ordinary people, but he did so anyway. He braved illness and shipwrecks in the course of taking the Gospel beyond his Italian homeland. And he went to Egypt during the Fifth Crusade in an attempt to convert the Sultan of Egypt or be martyred trying.
No, what Saint Francis meant by his famous quote was that both one’s words and actions should speak the Gospel to all. He spent his days continuously risking his own life for the sake of the Gospel. Studying his example, it is obvious that he did not mean preach out loud only if necessary, but to both speak and act for the cause of Christ at every opportunity. Francis was bold in his faith. He also stated, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” It was his desire that both his words, and his compassion toward others, would draw people toward Christ.
Could the early New Testament writers foresee today’s cultural difficulties for Christians? What does the Bible say of our discomfort in preaching the Gospel and having the difficult conversations of faith in a world that vomits up any God-centered moral code or way of living? Consider how often boldness is mentioned in the Bible as a character trait of faith-centered leaders:
“Proclaim the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” Acts 28:31
“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
“In [Him] we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” Ephesians 3:12
“Let us then with [boldness] draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7
“As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20
“And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly…” Acts 13:46
The biblical example for today’s leaders is not timidity, but boldness. The story of the early church as recorded in the book of Acts uses the word “bold” or “boldness” at least nine times to describe the Apostles’ preaching of the Gospel.[3] As it becomes more difficult for faith-centered leaders in today’s culture to show and share faith, we must resist the temptation to pull a cloak over our faith in public. How might we, then, increase in our boldness with respect to faith-filled leadership?
Pray more. Daily time in God’s Word and prayer gives us a spiritual foundation and instruction in living out our faith. God directs that prayer itself is private communication between a Christian and God (Matthew 6:6). Yet a faith-centered leader who is not engaged in prayer will likely find his faith falters because of his daily disconnect from his best source of spiritual nourishment.
Set spiritual goals. Consider what God may want you to do in life and work, and strive to reach God-centered goals each day. Many leaders set goals for work and life, finances, even family. Yet spiritual goals are often neglected. Could you commit to read the Bible through this year? How about inviting at least one person to join you at church each month? Would you accept a goal of sharing your faith with at least three people, or going on a mission trip this year?
Stay humble. Humility and boldness go hand-in-hand. One cannot be full of himself and full of Christ simultaneously. Colossians 3:12 teaches us to “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” The picture here is that these character traits will help us connect to and serve our fellow man, and be a picture of holiness to those around us.
Recognize fear. When you are scared to voice God-centered thoughts, ask God to grant you boldness to unashamedly proclaim the Gospel in those situations. Then trust God to draw people to Himself through your trust in His Word.
Live joyfully. Though we fight spiritual battles daily, recognize that the war for eternity has already been won. We can live with joy in Christ’s resurrection and return, despite circumstances of the moment.
If you visit Westminster Abbey in London, above the Great West Door you will find carved stone statues representing modern maryrs—men and woman who were persecuted and oppressed and eventually killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ.[4] They are (left to right):
St. Maximilian Kolbe from Poland
Manche Masemola from South Africa
Janani Luwum from Uganda
Grand Duchess Elizabeth from Russia
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, a civil rights leader, who was assassinated
St. Oscar Romero, Archbishop in El Salvador, who was assassinated
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from Germany, killed by the Nazis in 1945
Esther John from Pakistan
Lucian Tapiedi from Papua New Guinea
Wang Zhiming, a pastor killed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution
The Twentieth Century, though we might assume we live in more “enlightened times” related to tolerance of various faiths, was actually the deadliest century for Christians on record. At least 45 million Christians were killed because of their faith in the last century—about one every five minutes. Today—now, in the 2020s—approximately 105,000 Christians a year are killed because of their faith.[5] The New Testament tells us to expect persecution: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1 Peter 4:14-16).
These words and statistics are a reminder that real demonstrations of faith in the world do not fly “under the radar”, but will be risky, even deadly. Though it’s reasonable to seek to avoid persecution where possible, we should know that in all likelihood we will suffer persecution because of our faith in Christ. Even in the US, with freedom of religion enshrined in our laws, being denied, hated, passed over, shunned, even injured because we boldly proclaim Christ as Lord, can be expected. Perspective in this is important—we have an eternal reward that outweighs today’s discomfort. Remember Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
[1] https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/are-american-christians-persecuted/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi
[3] https://focusmagazine.org/boldness-in-the-book-of-acts.php
[4] https://www.westminster-abbey.org/history/explore-our-history/modern-martyrs
[5] https://www.deseret.com/2011/9/2/20213382/christian-killed-every-5-minutes
In leadership we might go out on a limb, try something new, give an idea a season. But when the result isn’t what we wanted or hoped for, our minds turn to the idea that we “need to get back”. Back the basics. Back to reality. Back to normal.