Issue #404, August 6, 2025
We naturally view leaders as independent and able to guide and direct on their own. But serving leaders are dependent on an intimate relationship with Jesus that transforms them.
In John 15, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the relationship He wants to have with them—one of a deep, life-giving connection. He uses the image of a branch and a vine: He is the vine and the disciples are the branches.
While this concept is relevant for every follower of Jesus, the implications for leaders are even more critical as leaders influence others. The strength of a serving leader flows directly from a life that has been shaped by intimacy with Jesus. That gives a leader the power to influence others. In this series we’ll look at several marks of leaders who are in an intimate relationship with Jesus from John 15.
1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you (John 15:1-3, NIV).
The first characteristic of a leader who has an intimate relationship with Jesus is that their lives will be transformed by Him. Transformation produces integrity and authenticity that are essential in leadership. Internal change must happen before inviting others to follow. God uses several tools to produce this transformation.
Intimate leaders are transformed by God’s redirection.
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit…” The word Jesus uses here can speak of judgement as in cutting off from the vine. But it also means “lift up” which better fits the context.* Lifting up is what a gardener does to a branch that is on the ground in the dirt and needs to receive more sunlight and air. It is a redirection of the branch that brings more life. In our leadership God gently redirects us when we get bogged down. This may come as an exposure of a blind spot, a nudge to consider a different approach with a team member or a call to refocus priorities.
Some leaders move ahead with little awareness of their own deficiencies. But serving leaders stay close to Jesus and allow Him to gently redirect their lives, expose their blind spots, and breathe more of His life into their leadership.
Intimate leaders are transformed by God’s pruning.
“…while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” When there is no fruit God redirects and where there is fruit He prunes to produce more! The process of pruning is painful and may often seem extreme. But the gardener knows that dead leaves, overgrowth and excess shoots need to be cut away so that what remains will be more fruitful. This may come through trials, painful experiences, or challenges that stretch us.
Some leaders resist the pruning process and try to avoid all pain. But serving leaders cooperate with God’s pruning work and seek to learn all they can through the process. The fruit that results make them leaders worth following.
Intimate leaders are transformed by God’s word.
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” Jesus indicates that His words have already brought transformation to the lives of the disciples. Leaders that remain in intimacy with Him are shaped by consistent exposure to His word.
Some leaders are shaped primarily by books they read, conferences they attend and social media that they consume. But serving leaders prioritize time with God’s word that has the power to transform their life and leadership.
For further reflection and discussion:
As I reflect on my own leadership regarding how much my life is transformed by Jesus, how would I rate myself on a scale of 1 to 10? What blocks me from greater transformation?
How does my transformation by Jesus impact the way I lead? Can the people I lead see my transformation?
In what ways might God right now be redirecting my life and leadership? Am I close enough to Him to notice? What do I need to change?
In what ways is God pruning my life right now? Have I fully accepted His authority to do this and do I fully embrace His love that prompts the pruning?
How deeply does God’s word impact my life and leadership? Are there other sources that shape my leadership more than His word? What can I do to more fully allow His word to transform my life?
After reflecting on these questions, read the entire chapter, John 15. What additional insights do I find in this chapter about how my intimacy with Jesus shapes my leadership?
Until next time, yours on the journey,
Jon Byler
In the next issue, we’ll look at how intimate leaders bear fruit for Jesus.
*The Greek word airei can be translated as “cut off,” “to take up,” “to lift up,” “to remove,” or “to carry away.” I prefer the concept of “lifting up” rather than the judgment implied by “cutting off.” Later, in v. 6, Jesus clearly speaks of judgment regarding branches that are detached from the vine, then thrown away and burned. Therefore, judgment does not seem to be His intent in v. 2. His grace precedes judgment.