A large portion of my working life was spent working in the film industry creating films that delivered a godly message. Sometimes it is uncomfortable being a ministry leader among marketplace leaders. The life of Samuel gives some insight to those living in this situation. Read 1 Samuel 9:1-15:31.

God has a role for the ministry leader (priest) and the marketplace leader (king). In order to be effective the priest (ministry leader) must settle the issue of personal security while the king (marketplace leader) must settle their position before God concerning personal submission. Ministry leaders will fail in their role if they feel intimidated and marketplace leaders will fail if they feel independent of God or the ministry leaders He appoints.

As we transition from Samuel to other leaders in the book of 1 Samuel, it will be helpful to look at the difference between a real leader and the person that may be in charge. Some of the Biblical leaders that had positional authority were godly leaders but not all of them. A godly leader will demonstrate personal authority and the person in charge is generally granted positional authority. Some leaders will have both and some only one but if you must choose, choose personal authority. Read 1 Samuel 9, 10 and 13.

John Maxwell hits the nail squarely on the head concerning leaders and the person merely put in charge in his notes in The Maxwell Leadership Bible: