Perhaps you have heard the maxim, “Leadership is influence.” There’s truth to that statement—which is why it is so important that we carefully choose the leaders we follow.
I was blessed early in my ministry with godly leaders whose influence shaped my life in profound ways. Yes, there were also some leaders who deeply disappointed me. But God was faithful through those times. And I thank the Lord for the influence of those who encouraged me in the faith, challenged me to take strong, biblical stands, and instilled in me a burden for souls.
Today, I view influence from a different perspective than I did when I first entered the ministry over forty years ago. Several of my mentors have now gone to be with the Lord, and I find myself desiring to have an increasingly godly influence each day. I also find that I see categories of leadership and influence in a more discerning light than I did in my twenties.
In those early years, I was more focused on the content of a leader’s influence—and rightly so. I considered areas such as doctrinal convictions, spiritual fruit, and personal testimony. Indeed, these are vital considerations when choosing who will influence your life.
But over time, I’ve come to see that there’s more to influence than content alone. Today, I also pay attention to the orientation of a leader: What seems to drive them? Are they pursuing influence to serve or to sway? To edify others or to validate themselves?
As I survey the influence landscape among Bible-believing Christian leaders today, I see three broad categories of influencers:
- Founding Influencers
- Enabling Influencers
- Non-Agenda Influencers
These are very broad categories, and the notes below each are thus necessarily generalizations. But, broad as they are, I believe they generally hold true and can be a helpful matrix through which to consider influence.
Founding Influencers
Founding influencers are pioneers. They are builders—they plant churches, start ministries, and shape movements. Their leadership is marked by conviction and clarity. These leaders tend to be strong, straightforward, and one-directional—forward!
Many of us were trained by these kinds of leaders. Some of them even led us to Christ. Their impact was foundational.
At times, their approach can seem brash or inflexible. They may discourage younger men by not being as relational. They may be less likely to engage in collaborative conversations or accommodate differing methods. But their focus is clear: laboring in the Lord’s work and advancing the gospel.
These leaders are often visionaries. They lead with conviction and expect others to follow with the same resolve. They taught us to contend for the faith, to value sound doctrine, and to press forward in soulwinning. Like Paul, they live with the mindset, “This one thing I do … I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14).
While they may not always be as relational or flexible, they are usually (although not always) driven by a sincere desire to honor Christ and reach the lost. They often model an unwavering dedication to truth and a passionate love for God and people.
Enabling Influencers
Enabling influencers tend to show up when someone is disillusioned, discouraged, or simply looking for a new direction. These leaders are warm, affirming, and relatable. They have a knack for connecting with people who feel wounded or restless.
Unlike founding influencers, who are often conventional and structured, enabling influencers present themselves as flexible and understanding. They’re the “I know how you feel” leaders. They offer relief from the pressure of “performance” and often position themselves as offering a better way.
But there’s a caution here: While enabling influencers often appear empathetic and approachable, their influence can subtly redirect your convictions. They may rarely affirm the good of your past spiritual training, even if that’s where you were saved and discipled. Their strategy is often to distance you from previous influences by introducing you to new people, trends, or even doctrinal shifts—under the banner of growth or freedom.
They may encourage you to process your hurts again and again, not necessarily for healing, but to gain your trust. Over time, your common ground with them may become less about spiritual mission and more about shared frustrations. What feels like liberty sometimes ends up being a simple transfer of loyalties—from one group to another. This kind of influence doesn’t always help you grow in grace; it often just reshapes who you’re following.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). There are those who claim to follow no one but Christ. From my observation, often these people are following enabling influencers. That is because enabling influencers can be just as directional as founding influencers, but their direction is cloaked in empathy rather than authority.
Non-Agenda Influencers
Then there are the rare and refreshing leaders whose influence is not driven by a personal agenda. They’re not trying to build a following or prove a point. They’re not fishing for loyalty. Their aim is simple: to lead others closer to Christ.
Non-agenda influencers are Scripture-driven. Their mentoring is spiritual, not strategic. They don’t pressure you to pick sides or revisit every past hurt. They aren’t trying to sign you up for a group; they’re trying to help you walk with God.
These leaders often possess a quiet spiritual maturity. They’re willing to speak truth in love—even when it is the wounds of a faithful friend (Proverbs 27:6). These men sharpen you at a convictional level, not just a conversational one.
Some of them may lead institutions or organizations, but they relate just as easily outside those circles. They have the rare ability to appreciate the strength of founding influencers and the grace of enabling influencers, without being defined by either.
When you feel misunderstood or isolated, non-agenda influencers point you not to your rejection but to your position in Christ. They remind you that you are “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Their influence comforts, but it also strengthens. It helps you grow—not in reaction to others, but in relationship with Christ.
This is the kind of influence worth seeking—and the kind we should strive to give.
Your Position in the Influence Landscape
We all need godly influences in our lives. And we all have the opportunity to be an influence to others.
As you consider the influence others have on you, look beyond personality and platform. Pay attention to the direction they are pointing you. Are they building your faith in Christ, strengthening your biblical convictions, and encouraging you to serve God with grace and truth? Or are they drawing you to themselves, leading you to question your biblical convictions, and encouraging mistrust toward those who helped establish you in the faith?
And as you consider the influence you have on others, ask yourself similar questions. Am I helping people walk more closely with Christ? Am I encouraging them to be rooted in Scripture, motivated by love, and committed to the gospel?
In a landscape filled with voices, may we be discerning in who we follow—and intentional in how we lead.
