Leadership That Imitates Christ: Reflections on The Theological Insights of Thomas A. Kempis
The book I selected for this week’s assignment is The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis. This is a Christian devotional book first composed in Medieval Latin as De Imitatione Christi (c. 1418–1427). The devotional text is divided into four books of detailed spiritual instructions: (i) “Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life”, (ii) “Directives for the Interior Life”, (iii) “On Interior Consolation”, and (iv) “On the Blessed Sacrament”. The devotional approach of The Imitation of Christ emphasises the interior life and withdrawal from the mundanities of the world, as opposed to the active imitation of Christ practised by other friars. The devotions of the books emphasize devotion to the Eucharist as the key element of spiritual life.[1]
Although this book was published centuries ago, its teachings on Christian spirituality remain timeless to this day. It has been translated into several languages and inspired many prominent figures, such as St. Ignatius Loyola and John Wesley.[2] It is no surprise that it has been reprinted continually over the centuries.
This book has helped me re-examine my spirituality as a pastor serving and leading God’s people. It is rich with leadership values grounded in Christian principles that are universally applicable. I will discuss several aspects of these teachings that I consider relevant to my ministry context.
Patience
Being a leader means encountering many individuals from various backgrounds. Some are demanding, grumbling, never satisfied, and unappreciative. Such individuals constantly seek out the leader’s weaknesses and shortcomings. Therefore, a high degree of patience is required when leading people like this. Patience is a quality that every leader must possess, and this value is one I have found in Kempis’s teachings. He writes, “A patient man hath a great and wholesome purgatory, who, receiving injuries, is more concerned at the person’s sin than his own wrong; who willingly prays for his adversaries, and from his heart forgives offenses; who delays not to ask forgiveness of others; who is easier moved to compassion than to anger.”[3]
A leader who has patience will act beyond the ego-personal. He does not respond to unpleasant behaviour from others. Instead, a leader will be willing to listen to their grumbling and complaints. A true leader knows that demanding people usually have a higher desire to be heard so relationships and intimacy in an organization and fellowship can be maintained. A patient leader is willing to listen. According to Treasure, “Intimacy requires honesty and deep knowledge of another, which can only come through listening.”[4]
Humility
The next significant value found in Kempis’ writing is humility. Christian leadership is closely related to humility because only Christ is worthy of praise and glorification in the life and leadership of a leader. A Christian leader knows that his life and ministry are gifts from God alone. This resonates with Kempis’ view. He writes, “Be not proud of thine own works; for the judgments of God are different from the judgments of men; and often times, that displeaseth Him which pleaseth men. If thou hast anything of good, believe better things of others, that thou mayest preserve humility.”[5] From Kempis, I learned that humility speaks of self-emptying and self-sacrifice. I found a profound resonance with Kempis’s thought in Walker’s concept of the self-emptying strategy. Walker writes an insightful statement that impressed me: “Self-sacrifice is the conscious choice not to use force or exercise power but, instead, to allow something to be done to you”.[6]
Faithful
I also found another diamond chunk from Kempis’ writing. He emphasized faithfulness in following Christ in every step of life and responsibility as a Christian leader. Kempis writes, “Set thyself then like a good and faithful servant of Christ, to bear manfully the Cross of thy Lord, crucified for the love of thee. Prepare thyself to suffer many adversities and divers evils in this miserable life; for so it will be with thee wherever thou art, and so indeed wilt thou find it wheresoever thou mayest hide thyself.”[7]
A Christian leader’s faithfulness will always be maintained when he truly listens to God’s voice and relies on God in his leadership so that he continues to receive strength and wisdom from God. This is in line with what Glanzer emphasized in his book, The Sound of Leadership. Glanzer writes, “More important than listening to the people is listening to the voice of God. God’s call to leadership and guidance along the way is one of the foundational tones to God-honoring, kingdom-seeking, biblically rooted leadership.”[8] In my opinion, a Christian leader’s loyalty to God and the values of biblical truth is necessary in this modern era so that he remains an example for God’s people. Secularization and modernization have influenced many people to leave God and rely on the power of technology and humans.
God-loving Personality
Another valuable finding from Kempis’ writings is about loving God. Being a Christian leader means dedicating one’s whole life to God. This is closely related to a personality that loves God very much. In his very enlightening writings, Kempis emphasizes living a life dedicated to God entirely, a life that loves Him with all one’s heart. He writes, “Let me sing the canticle of love, let me follow Thee my Beloved on high, let my soul lose herself in Thy praises, rejoicing exceedingly in Thy love. Let me love Thee more than myself and myself only for Thee, and all others in Thee, who truly love Thee as the law of love commands, which shines forth from Thee.”[9]
Every Christian leader who loves God will receive guidance to know Him deeply. Thus, with a personality that genuinely loves God, a Christian leader will imitate Him. This resonates with Woodward’s writing. He writes, “We become what we love, and ultimately, what we love is what we worship.”[10] However, only Jesus is the true model. Here are the reasons, first, He is the image of God in human form. Second, “If we imitate the desires of Christ, it will result in true missional leadership, evidenced by others-centeredness, humility, and a kenotic (self-emptying) approach to leadership.”[11]
Kempis quotes John 8:12, “HE that followeth me, walketh not in darkness,” saith Our Lord. (John 8:12), to emphasize the importance of a life that imitates Christ. He asserts, “These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished, that we must imitate His life and manners, if we would be truly enlightened, and delivered from all blindness of heart.”[12]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Imitation_of_Christ.
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Imitation_of_Christ.
[3] Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, trans. Richard Challoner (Rockford, IL: Tan Books, 1989), 68.
[4] Julian Treasure, How to be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening (Coral Gables, Fl: Mango Publishing Group, 2017), 37.
[5] Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, trans. Richard Challoner (Rockford, IL: Tan Books, 1989), 17.
[6] Simon P. Walker, Leading Out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership (Carlisle, UK: Piquant Editions Ltd., 2007), 122.
[7] Kempis, The Imitation, 123.
[8] Jules Glanzer, The Sound of Leadership: Kingdom Notes to Fine Tune Your Life and Influence (Plano, TX: Invite Press, 2023), Scribd Version, page 39 of 230.
[9] Kempis, The Imitation, 146.
[10] J.R. Woodward, The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church (Cody, WY: 100 Movements Publishing, an Imprint of Movement Leaders Collective, 2023), 109.
[11] Woodward, The Scandal of Leadership, xxxvi.
[12] Kempis, The Imitation, 3.
About the Author
Dinka Utomo
Dinka Nehemia Utomo is an ordained pastor of the Protestant Church in the Western part of Indonesia (Gereja Protestan di Indonesia bagian Barat or GPIB). He has served for more than 15 years. The first five years of his ministry were in the remote area of East Kalimantan, including people from the indigenous Dayak tribe in the small villages in the middle of the forest, frequently reached using small boats down the river. For more than 15 years, Dinka has served several GPIB congregations in several cities in Indonesia. He has always had a passion for equipping Christian families, teaching and guiding them to build equal relations between husband and wife, maintaining commitment, love, and loyalty, creating a healthy and constructive Christian family atmosphere, and rejecting all forms of violence and sexual violence. Dinka's beloved wife, Verra, is also a GPIB pastor. They have two blessed children. Dinka and his wife and children love to spend quality family time, such as lunch or dinner, and vacation to exotic places.7 responses to “Leadership That Imitates Christ: Reflections on The Theological Insights of Thomas A. Kempis”
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First, way to bring in so many sources! Second, I love the idea of we become what we love and we what we love we worship. It reminds me of something I heard N.T. Wright say, “We become like the God we worship”, which is why our theology matters so much. There is another book “How God Changes Your Brain,” from a neurologist that said if we hold God as benevolent we become benevolent, same for viewing God as detached, judgemental, angry, etc. Getting a healthy picture and image of Christ is so important for ourselves and others. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Adam!
Thank you for your response. I appreciate it. Having a healthy image and picture of Christ is vital to our witnessing of who HE is. Therefore, our journey through life is like a never-ending pilgrimage of learning who Christ is and making Christ present wherever we are. Thomas Kempis’ book helps me to know Christ more.
Hi Dinka,
I enjoyed reading your post and how so many of our previous authors were referenced. You’ve made great connections! You highlighted the following characteristics of a leader: patient, humble, faithful, and God-loving. So true, so needed, and sometimes sadly lacking, You noted in your closing, “Every Christian leader who loves God will receive guidance to know Him deeply. Thus, with a personality that genuinely loves God, a Christian leader will imitate Him.” What do you see as challenges for pastors and ministry leaders to achieve that “guidance to know God deeply” or to rest in God’s love for them?
Hi Jenny!
Thank you for your brilliant response and question. I appreciate it. Your question made me think harder, and I have to be careful not to misunderstand it.
In my point of view, many factors can hinder this. However, the most important one is the temptation and challenge within the servant himself. The temptation is to “steal God’s glory.” This temptation can cause a servant to lose humility, feel like he knows it all, and no longer listen to God’s word.
Dinka, My question may not have been well-worded, but your answer was insightful and thoughtful. It makes me wonder how many times I might be “stealing God’s glory” when I try to do what only God can do or try to accomplish something in my own strength or wisdom. Humility certainly takes a lot of intention and practice. Thanks for responding to my question!
Hi Dinka,
Thank you for sharing the highlights of your reading from Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis. I have referenced that book during my NPO research and also appreciated the author’s emphasis on faithfulness and humility. How has this book impacted your project and/or your leadership?
Hi Cathy!
Thank you for your response. I appreciate it. I am delighted that you are using Kempis’ writing as an essential reference in your project. I have not been referring to it in my project. However, after delving into his thoughts, I think Kempis’ writing contains so many precious pearls of biblical truth values (which I outlined in my post this week) that if applied to my project (Marriage Enrichment), it would greatly help couples behave like Christ and treat their spouses as Christ treats them.
Also, Kempis’ thinking, in my view, has a powerful and profound intersection in forming leadership values for myself as a servant of God. I am very grateful to have found this book and delved into it!