John N. N. Ng'ang'a

The Pragmatic Leader: Leadership Lessons From The Bible Book Of James

Pragmatism is a way of dealing with problems or situations with focus on practical approaches and solutions – those that will work in practice, as opposed to being ideal in theory. The word pragmatism is often contrasted with the word idealism, which means based on or having high principles or ideals.[1]

The message of the book of James is to all Christians. Christians, being a minority in the world, are sent by God to lead the majority to faith. Christians should seek to influence every person they meet for Christ. Leaders are influencers by definition. You cannot practice your faith successfully without seeking to be a person of influence. Leaders should therefore have values-based leadership, meaning that they practically live what they believe and are encouraging others to follow. James 1:22 confirms this:
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Aubrey Malphurs, in Values-Driven Leadership, contends that values are the why behind what we do. He states that “values precede and determine actions.” Ethics provide the standard or guide for moral behaviour and action, while values and beliefs provide the ethics.

He gives the example of a priest who is devoted to God and sworn to celibacy (values), who goes on to molest a child, or a doctor who is sworn to the Hippocratic Oath (values), who goes on to perform abortions, as demonstration of their true values rather than the expressed ones. He argues that “Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount reflects this distinctive relationship between foundational heart issues (values) and moral decisions (ethics).”2[2]

To show how important values-based leadership is, he says that when dealing with the ethical problem of racial discrimination, a values-based approach has proven to be most effective. If values are “primary beliefs that determine every decision and dictate every dollar spent,” then the first port of entry for solving the problem of ethnic discrimination is through our primary beliefs about people and their differences.

Thus he shows the importance of personal values for any leader if he is going to positively influence others.
Many who have heard me talk on leadership have heard me quote the book of James as an advocate for integrity in leadership. It is therefore only fair that we now have a book that looks at the whole message of the book of James.

Hopefully, every leader will be challenged to be a better leader.

I made a choice many years ago, not to preach anything that I am unable to practice, because unless I practice what I preach, then that would be my message, not God’s message. The truth is, that preaching or witnessing is one beggar telling another beggar where they can find bread. Therefore, I am a beggar of God’s revelation. I seek to only say what God says. Then, you and I will seek His help to practice it.

I welcome you to join me in looking at the leadership lessons presented in the book of James.