By Alan Patrick

I recently preached through the book of Nehemiah. Though it is not a leadership manifesto, I couldn’t help but notice leadership lessons throughout. Nehemiah is a dedicated leader in service of his God. His model of leadership leaves an example we pastors can learn from.

1. Concern (1:4)

Nehemiah displays incredible concern for his people. When he hears that the wall of Jerusalem is destroyed and that the people are helpless, it breaks his heart. Similarly, our Lord was gravely concerned for the crowds who were helpless and harassed (Matthew 9:36). Pastors ought to be genuinely concerned for the well-being of their people. A crisis among church members ought to drive us to our knees in concern.

2. Deliberation (2:11-12)

Once Nehemiah arrives to Jerusalem, he takes time to survey the destroyed wall. He takes a tour of the wall, assesses the damage, but does not immediately tell the locals his plan to rebuild the wall. A careful leader understands the art of deliberation and contemplation before addressing the troops. Pastors have so many plans and ideas, but we often need to spend time in deliberation before revealing them to the church body.

3. Clear Communication (2:17)

After a time of deliberation, Nehemiah spoke straight to the people. He very candidly and clearly addressed the state of the damaged wall and his plan to rebuild it. Nehemiah talked straight to them with clarity, charity, and conviction. Pastors need not be afraid of speaking straight to their people. A good leader addresses good news and bad news with a confident straight-speak. Pastors should not be marked by double-speak or lying to their people, no matter their intention.

4. Delegation (ch. 3)

Chapter three recounts the building of the wall. It is a long list of names and places and we are immediately struck by the fact that Nehemiah did very little of the wall building. He did his part, but only his part. Many other men and women pitched in. Nehemiah delegated to others whom God had gifted. Pastors, we must reckon with the fact that not only can we not do it all, but we are also not called to do it all. We must get in the habit of delegating to fellow ministers, deacons, and the saints whom God has equipped to do the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:12).

5. Bravery (ch. 4, ch. 6)

Several times in the book of Nehemiah our main character comes face to face with opposition. A few villains present themselves, even going so far as to plot his assassination. But Nehemiah is not afraid. He bravely faces opposition and bravely remains in the work. Pastors will face opposition. Perhaps not assassination of the body, but maybe of character. We will especially see opposition to ideas, plans, and ministry proposals. And when that opposition is particularly vitriolic we need to remain brave.

6. Compassion (5:1-13)

Nehemiah found that within Israel they had their own issues. During the rebuilding of the wall some workers had to go back to the fields because the nobles and governments leaders were not distributing the food necessary. In fact, they were lining their own pockets while their fellow Israelites suffered. Nehemiah, of course, was angered by this injustice, but the primary emotion he showed was compassion for those who were neglected. Out of his compassion he then generously gave of his own resources to supply the need. Pastors, we need to exercise our compassion muscles. Our Lord himself was the ultimate model of compassion. Our sheep will be stubborn, mean, confused, and so many things that could give us reason for anger. But our job as a shepherd is to compassionately redirect the sheep.

7. Discernment (6:1-4)

One of those times that Nehemiah was faced by a foe, Sanballat, the plan was to lure Nehemiah out to a secluded place, under the auspices of negotiating a peace treaty, in order to kill him. Nehemiah discerned their true motives and politely declined the invitation. Nehemiah took the available data and was not gullible. Pastors, we need to be charitable, but not gullible. With those inside and outside of our church, may we be innocent as doves and shrewd as serpents (Matthew 10:16).

8. Integrity (6:5-9)

Another plan of Nehemiah’s enemies was to spread a solacious rumor about his intentions. This was simply a classic propaganda campaign, and Nehemiah knew that. Nehemiah did not launch a counter-campaign. He simply rested in his personal integrity because their rumors were false. His integrity allowed him to rest assured. No doubt some folks asked around, “Are the rumors true.” Because he was a man of integrity, his fellow Israelites were able to squash the rumors. Pastors, our integrity is one of our greatest strengths. Our character should be the place that rumors go to die. We are not perfect, or course. But may we be above reproach such that we are examples to the flock and no rumor holds any weight.

9. Solemnity (ch. 9 & 10)

Nehemiah knew when to be serious and when to lead his people in a solemn contemplation. He led them to a corporate confession of sin and to a re-covenanting with God. He handled this with care and solemnity appropriate for the nature of event. (It’s worth noting he also led them in a joyous and celebratory worship service in chapter 12.) Nehemiah knew when to be somber and solemn. Pastors, we need to be able to read the room. Quite literally, a hospital room or a funeral planning session is often a place for solemnity. Appropriate silence and room for emotions should be allowed. Embrace the “awkward” and learn to be comfortable in those solemn places. Such is also the case in particular worship services. Certain texts for the sermon or times of the year may have that particular Sunday feeling more somber. When necessary, we pastors need to embrace the solemn.

10. Resolve (ch. 13)

The book of Nehemiah ends on a bit of down note. The wall is rebuilt. The people are repopulating the holy city. All seems well. But the book ends on a down note. Jumping more than a decade into the future, Nehemiah concludes the book with three encounters among Israel which are all issues previously addressed in his story. Simply put, the people revert to their old bad habits even after a decade of Nehemiah’s ministry. Nehemiah concludes his story showing the need for resolve to do the same ministry and even fight the same battles decades later. Pastors, we need this kind of resolve. We need to be resolved to have a long view of the pastoral work. We will shepherd our people through the same issues we once thought were behind them. The pastoral ministry is one of resolve.

Undergirding all of Nehemiah’s leadership are two other qualities: prayer and devotion. Nehemiah was first and foremost a man of prayer. Once he hear the bad news he is driven to his knees in prayer. Many scholars remark that all of Nehemiah’s story should be read with prayer in mind. His great leadership was driven by his prayer life. Likewise, Nehemiah’s devotion bursts out at every corner. He devotes himself, the mission, and the people to God. All ten of these leadership qualities comes from a foundation of prayer and devotion.

10 Pastoral Leadership Lessons from the book of Nehemiah