Leadership and Critical Thinking

What makes a leader successful? The answer to that question has changed over the years. Fifty years ago, when I started, if you were charismatic, able to get people into the church building, and get them involved in church programs you were a good leader. Although there is still a need to develop and implement programs, effective leaders, today, make judgments about sources of information, being aware of what forms their thinking and the thinking of others.

Christ-centered Leaders are Critical Thinkers

Along with developing relationships and understanding systems, successful Christ-centered leaders are critical thinkers. Christ-centered leadership involves a rational, objective, and self-aware approach that helps to identify credible sources and strengthen your decision-making.

Although there is no single way to think critically, you can begin by being aware of your interactions with people and information in a systematic way by being curious and asking questions.

When encountering information, ask:

Who is the author? Are they an expert in their field?
What do they say? Is their argument clear?
When did they say it? What is the context of their information?
Where is the information found?
Why is the information being shared? What is the motivation?
How are they making their argument? Is it backed up by evidence? Does it rely on opinion, speculation, or emotion? Do they address alternative arguments?

As you come to your conclusions, ask yourself:

Am I only considering evidence that supports my preconceptions?
Is my thinking clear and backed up with credible sources?
Would I be convinced by my conclusions if coming from someone else?

You were created to lead at this point in history, so it is important that you develop skills in critical thinking. Whether it be in study of the scripture, engaging in political conversations, or in making everyday decisions, as a Christ-centered leader you must be able to think critically.

You can exercise your critical thinking skills through the process of Read, Reflect, Respond, and Return. Let’s use the questions above to work through the process.

Read Matthew 5:21-48

²¹“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ ²²But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,^[^a^] you will be liable to judgment, and if you insult^[^b^] a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council, and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell^[^c^] of fire. ²³So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. ²⁵Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court^[^d^] with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. ²⁶Truly I tell you; you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

²⁷“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹If your right eye causes you to sin,^[^e^] tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.^[^f^] ³⁰And if your right hand causes you to sin,^[^g^] cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

³¹“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ ³²But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

³³“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ ³⁴But I say to you: Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, ⁴⁰and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, ⁴¹and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. ⁴²Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. ⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Reflect On Matthew 5

The words from the Sermon on the Mount are about anger, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies. Each section begins with “You have heard that it was said…” Matthew is taking the interpretation of teachings from the Torah and using the teaching of Jesus to reframe the interpretation for his listeners

So, what does that have to do with critical thinking? Let’s use the questions listed above as a practice in critical thinking.

Who is the author? Are they an expert in their field?

Matthew is the author. He is writing to a Hebrew community which has used the Torah as the authority of all teaching. He states in Matthew 28:16 that all authority has been given to Jesus. So, there is a shift in authority. When Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said…But I tell you…” that is a shift in the interpretation of the teaching of the Torah based upon the shift of authority.

What do they say? Is their argument clear?

Throughout Matthew’s good news he refers to the teaching of Jesus which reveals the main theme of his good news. God sent Jesus to teach us how to live before God. As a critical thinker, you know the author to be Matthew, and you know the shift of authority. Now, using your critical thinking skills, everything in Matthew’s good news is filtered through Jesus’ teaching or interpretation of the Torah.

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew uses Jesus’ teaching to address the critical issues of anger, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies. Based upon authority and interpretation the teaching is clear for Matthew’s community.

When did they say it? What is the context of their information?

The context of the teaching is Matthew’s community learning what it means to be a follower of Jesus. When viewed through the Lense of the theme, Matthew is teaching his community what it means to be righteous as God is righteous. He is teaching them to be holy as God is holy.

Any one of the issues addressed can be taken out of the context of righteousness and be used for purposes other than the intention of the reinterpretation. When taken within the context, righteousness refers to healthy relationships

Where is the information found?

The information is found in the good news of Matthew. Matthew was influenced by his Hebrew background. Until all authority was given to Jesus, the Torah was a source of righteousness. In Matthew’s good news, the righteousness is found in Jesus and the relationships developed in and through Jesus.

Why is the information being shared? What is the motivation?

The motivation for sharing his good news is to form a movement of Jesus followers anchored in the righteousness of God.

How are they making their argument? Is it backed up by evidence? Does it rely on opinion, speculation, or emotion? Do they address alternative arguments?

Throughout Matthew’s good news, especially in the Sermon on the Mount, there is a teaching of how to be who God intended them to be. His teaching does not discount the Torah but interprets the Torah for the Hebrew people who were beginning to form a Christian community.

Now ask yourself, “Am I only considering evidence that supports my preconceptions? Is my thinking clear and backed up with credible sources? Would I be convinced by my conclusions if coming from someone else?

You have just participated in a simple exercise of critical thinking. Here are several other suggestions to help you form your conclusions as you lead with clarity and courage.

Respond to Matthew 5

Be open-minded and stay curious.

As a Christ-centered leader stay open-minded and do not jump to conclusions. Be generous in your assessments. Know when to take the past into consideration and when to celebrate the past and move on. Ask questions for clarity and direction and use what you are learning for the well-being of the whole community.

Be an observer and listen carefully.

As a Christ-centered leader interacts with the people in their care. Observe the interactions of people and listen to their questions, concerns, and challenges. Listen carefully for information about what can be improved and how to improve it.

Reflect upon what you are learning.

As a Christ-centered leader, reflect on your experiences and interactions with others. With every new experience, take time to reflect what was successful and what needs improvement. Receive the feedback that best helps you move forward into putting what you are learning into practice. Do not be afraid to ask questions, to reflect, and move forward.

Return

Give God thanks for the people you encountered today. In whom did you see Jesus? In what situations did you have to assess the source of information you were receiving? How did you respond to the information? What did you learn about yourself? What will you do differently tomorrow? Give God thanks for the experiences that have helped you become who God created you to be. Remember, who you are is how you lead.