Leading with Divine Wisdom: Dr. Rick Christman on Faith-Centered Leadership

In a world clamoring for effective leadership, Dr. Rick Christman, President of Kingswood University, offers a refreshing and profoundly impactful perspective: leadership rooted in unwavering faith and divine wisdom. His journey through pastoral ministry and higher education is a testament to the transformative power of allowing God to lead every step of the way.

Dr. Christman’s path to higher education leadership wasn't a straight line, but a divinely orchestrated journey. After 21 years in pastoral ministry, marked by continuous learning and the acquisition of multiple degrees, his wife's gentle nudge, "You've got to do something with these degrees," became a catalyst. This led him to Indiana Wesleyan, Ohio Christian University, Trevecca Nazarene University, and Columbia International University. Now at Kingswood University in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada, he reflects on this remarkable trajectory, emphasizing that every success is a testament to God's blessing, not his own prowess. He highlights a crucial principle: while organizational nuances differ, the core principles of good leadership, guided by divine direction, remain constant.

Living Out Faith in Daily Leadership

For Dr. Christman, faith isn't a compartmentalized aspect of his life; it's the very foundation of his daily leadership and operations. His day begins early, immersed in scripture and prayer, crafting devotionals for his family. This intentional time, he explains, is where God's Holy Spirit imparts power and direction. His daily prayer is a humble plea for wisdom and clarity, acknowledging his inability to navigate complex decisions without divine guidance.

His leadership philosophy is a radical inversion of traditional models. Instead of a pyramid where everything points to the leader, Dr. Christman envisions an upside-down pyramid, with the leader at the bottom, supporting and empowering every individual in the organization. "It's not about the leader," he asserts. This people-centric approach ensures his team feels appreciated, valued, and that their contributions matter. His role, then, becomes one of vision casting, fundraising, and, most importantly, caring for his people, energizing them to collectively achieve the university's strategic goals.

When Faith Overcomes Limitations: A High School Story

Dr. Christman shares a powerful anecdote from his pastoral days, illustrating how faith can shatter perceived limitations. When the administrator of Christian Life Academy proposed starting a high school, he initially resisted, citing a lack of resources and the complexity of high school curriculum. His reliance on his own understanding, he admits, blinded him to God's greater plan. It took three years, and a compelling meeting with parents who committed to funding tuition for high school students they didn't even know, to shift his perspective. This experience became a vivid lesson in Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." The high school flourished, a testament to God's ability to do "exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think." Leaders, he concludes, must be willing to step aside and let God do what He does best.

Investing Time, Talent, and Treasure with Divine Guidance

Dr. Christman views faith not as a destination, but as a continuous journey of development. This understanding profoundly shapes how he invests his time, talent, and treasure. His daily prayer, inspired by a friend, is: "Lord, what do you want me to know? What do you want me to do?" He emphasizes that his time must be guided by God's clock, not his own, recognizing that God's timing is perfect.

Regarding talent, he is a firm believer in life calling, having had the privilege of guiding students at Indiana Wesleyan to discover theirs. This experience not only helped students but also brought clarity to his own life's direction. His wife, he shares, models the principle of seeking God's will for their resources, asking, "How do you want us to use this to best build the kingdom and to help others?" Drawing from John 7:38, he likens hoarding resources to a stagnant pond. When God flows through us – through our time, talent, and treasure – He can accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.

The Enduring Encouragement: Don't Quit

For leaders, entrepreneurs, and growth-minded individuals, Dr. Christman offers a simple yet profound piece of advice: "Don't quit." In moments of doubt or uncertainty, when God's presence seems distant, he encourages us to look for those "God moments" – small, often subtle, realizations that God is actively at work, even when we can't fully perceive it. This requires patience, a virtue he admits he continually strives for. Recalling the wisdom of E.G. Marsh, "God's clock keeps perfect time," he reminds us that God is in control, and His plans are always greater than our own. Trusting in His timing and His ability to do things far beyond our capacity is the ultimate act of faith-centered leadership.

Dr. Rick Christman's life and leadership serve as a powerful blueprint for those seeking to integrate their faith seamlessly into their professional and personal lives. His journey underscores that true transformation, both personal and organizational, begins when we surrender our understanding and allow divine wisdom to guide our every step.