Holy, Healthy, Humble: Rich Johnson on Biblical Leadership for Modern Christians

In his new book Holy Healthy Humble: Christian Leadership in a Post-Secular World, Rich Johnson writes “it’s time to reclaim an expression of leadership that reflects the way of Jesus – one marked by sacrifice, surrender and dependence on the Spirit.” Rich’s experiences as a vicar and National Leader of New Wine England have given him wise insight into what biblical Christian leadership looks like. In this Q&A he reflects on the journey that led to his book, his beautifully simple vision for the church, and the hope Christians have that God will move in and through his people.

In a time of spiritual awakening and cultural change, the world is looking for a church that is distinctively different from what secularism offers… a potent counter-cultural community in and for the world, one that is “holy, healthy and humble”.  That means we need Christian leaders who are these three things.  This is not a new approach to leadership, but rather an ancient one that we need to rediscover more fully in this season – rooted in identity and practice, not purpose and outcomes.  It’s more about who we are than what we do, and how we do it.  

As is often the way with God, I have had to road-test my writing/convictions over the last year or so, as I have navigated a challenging season spiritually and in my ministry contexts.  The book was born out of deep conviction formed in previous seasons, but as I sought to complete the book, I found myself having to live it out in certain ways, which was both helpful in refining and focusing the writing. It deepened those convictions and gave fresh confidence that the Spirit would use the book!

I tell a story in the book about a time when a dear friend and colleague bravely brought something to my attention about how I lead that was having a negative impact on people.  He did it out of love and respect for me, in a gracious and helpful way, and it was such a formative moment for me.  It required humility on my part to hear it and then work it through with him and others, but it led to me being a better leader and I am so thankful for him.  

I have found the process of writing my first book both challenging and life-giving in equal measure, and sense that God is calling me to write further in some capacity, whether it’s further books or in other forms, as part of my wider sense of calling to invest in leaders as together we seek to lead the people of God well – both in the local church context and nationally through New Wine England.  

I am hoping to fuel a conversation about how together we can pursue an expression of Christian leadership that focuses more on posture and practices as leaders - one that: amplifies Jesus more; trusts that as we love and serve others in ways that give more room for grace and the transforming work of the Spirit, we will see God do more in and through us as the people of God; and which is attractive to a world longing for a more beautiful, compelling and tangible expression of community that is truly life-giving.  

“As we love and serve others in ways that give more room for grace and the transforming work of the Spirit, we will see God do more in and through us as the people of God.”

Rich Johnson’s vision for Christian leadership is only possible through the work of God, and Holy Healthy Humble encourages us all to embrace the radical leadership postures of God, as we seek to know God and make him known to everyone.

Holy Healthy Humble is available at www.ivpbooks.com now. Buy Now. Embrace godly leadership and drink deeply from the well of God’s eternal wisdom!