Leaders need to be strong and make good decisions.

Leaders need to know and declare the vision.

Leaders need to demonstrate confidence and deliver hope.

But how does submission fit in?

We don't talk about this topic very often.

I used to think a leader's great challenge was submission, but I've changed my thinking.

A leader's great challenge is submission when they don't want to.

It's easy to bend your will when the issue doesn't matter to you or it doesn't affect you personally.

I'm not referring to a domineering leader who demands his or her way, but a good and godly leader who has strong opinions and believes it's God's direction.

Then something comes up from the church board, or a city planner or a congregational vote that seems to force a different idea, opinion or solution.

Hey, it might be a decision or desire from your spouse that seems to conflict with your good and godly plans/ Now what?

I don't think these are easy moments of decision. They are not right or wrong issues. They are often not clear or easy to discern, and yet they are the moments that can make or break the long-term success of a leader.

What you do in those moments makes a huge difference.

Jesus demonstrated this great reality to us in His garden struggle. He knew the will of His Father and did not want it: "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42).

But Jesus chose to submit.

This is a grand and dramatic illustration, but the principle holds true.

Submission is a choice.

We don't understand the heart of submission until it's something we don't want to do.

You can force a teenager to submit, but until it's their choice, there is no real growth or change. Nothing of internal substance takes place.

You can force a staff member to submit, but what does that accomplish? Inside, they are more restless and less aligned than ever.

The church board can force you to submit, but if your will remains in opposition, what has that gained?

There is great value in the choice to submit.

3 Great Benefits of Submission:

1. Submission prevents a spirit of rebellion.

There is a time to stand up, even to rebel, but that is rare. Most of our ministry calls us to reconciliation, to get along with others and be at peace if possible.

As a leader, you "catch more bees with honey than with vinegar." You go farther and faster over the long haul when you lead in a way that the people go with you, rather than you going against them.

2. Submission prevents a spirit of arrogance.

This is not a typical attitude, but on occasion, a leader will act as if they know more and better than everyone else. I don't think many leaders believe that about themselves, but I have known more than a few who behave as if they do.

Arrogant behavior comes from insecurity more often than actually thinking one knows more than everyone else.

3. Submission prevents a spirit of independence.

Of the three, this is the most common among leaders. It comes from a good place. A healthy independence often resides within a leader who is strong, has a vision and sees a better way. Most churches are planted with the good of this trait.

Independence, however, can be taken too far. Good leadership is never in a vacuum. Good leadership always has context. The kingdom of God is always larger than any of us can lead, and we never lead alone.

Pushed too far, a healthy independence can become an independent spirit and will cause a leader to struggle.

Ultimately, submission embraces humility, and again Jesus models this for us:

Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2:5-8).

This is the great challenge of a leader.

Dan Reiland is the executive pastor at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He previously partnered with John Maxwell for 20 years, first as executive pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, then as vice president of leadership and church development at INJOY.

This article originally appeared on danreiland.com.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.