A Leader Must Lead by Consensus

Consensus is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as "agreement by the majority of opinion or feeling" and by the Oxford Dictionary as "general agreement."

For more than 30 years, I watched my father as a godly leader. He retired a few years ago, but one of the defining traits of his leadership was leading by consensus. When the church he planted experienced significant growth, he formed a board of elders to lead the church. There were about 30 leaders on the board! Of course, where there are 30 minds, there are different opinions. Leading a group that is meant to lead an organization is a challenge for any leader.

The Apostle Paul — one of the first missionaries and the author of many books in the New Testament — instructs the church to have elders leading the church. And from the very beginning of the church, Paul always had men leading with him. I served on my father’s board of elders for about five years, and one of the greatest lessons I learned was how to walk into a room and discuss a decision for as long as necessary until we reached consensus. Sometimes that meant hours or even days of meetings. Thirty minds brought many different opinions to the table, but in the end, no matter how long it took, we reached consensus. Over 40 years of his ministry, there were only three times when the board could not come to an agreement. In those cases, the elders had to repent before the whole church.

Consensus is essential for a board of leaders. It reveals humility, a willingness to listen to others, and openness to changing your mind. It also allows them to hear from God through what others are sharing. While I was on the board, I remember having different opinions at times, but seeing other godly men leaning in a different direction than mine made me think I should listen and embrace consensus. Leading by consensus produces the kind of leadership Paul talked about in Scripture — humble, self-controlled, respectable, gentle, and not quarrelsome. It is not a foolproof tool, but I can assure you it is one of the best tools for promoting peace, especially in churches, and I believe it applies to any organization.

Are you willing to be part of a group where consensus leads the way?

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