Ugly Leadership
When leaders serve themselves, communities fracture and the vulnerable suffer while culture mirrors their priorities. Character matters more than skill, and true leadership centers on protecting the weak, seeking the lost, and using influence for the common good. Leadership models shape desire and behavior, so followers imitate those they admire. Jesus embodies the countercultural shepherd who leads through humility and costly service, laying down his life for the flock. The church and society heal when leaders follow Christ and cultivate justice, mercy, and shared vision, and we honor God by raising up and imitating leaders who serve rather than exploit.