The Rooted Leader: Eric Geiger on Leading Like Nehemiah

Shallow roots can spell disaster for people as well as for trees. When those people hold leadership positions, their “toppling” is often public and painful. Eric Geiger proposes a way to prevent that: by building up leaders who stay firmly rooted so they can produce lasting fruit. The senior pastor of Mariners Church in Southern California applies his business background, leadership training and ministry experience to strengthen leaders of churches, organizations and families. In his new book, The Rooted Leader (Tyndale), Geiger shares lessons from Nehemiah with modern-day leaders who face their own tasks of restoration and heart-change. For each of seven leadership fruits—vision, conviction, servanthood, perseverance, credibility, transformation and resolve—he delves into the intermingling roots that must thrive below the surface.

Here, Geiger discusses pastoral challenges, plus the perks of leading from a faith foundation. Church leaders who feel discouraged and at risk of being uprooted will benefit from his Bible-based wisdom.

Why is Nehemiah’s story so relevant to the “walls” facing 21st-century pastors? 

Although God ultimately made the rebuilding possible—in 52 days, with enemies on every side—he used Nehemiah’s wise leadership. Local church ministry is the same. Any accomplishments come from God’s gracious hand, yet he uses skillful servants. 

Scripture puts much attention on the rebuilt wall, but Nehemiah’s greater challenges involved people. They had stopped obeying God’s law, felt despair, and didn’t want to live in Jerusalem, so Nehemiah had to change their beliefs and behaviors. Though Nehemiah wasn’t a pastor (or a priest), modern-day church leaders resonate with him because buildings aren’t our greatest challenges either.

What might Nehemiah say to church leaders dealing with post-pandemic attendance drops, the rise of the “Nones,” humanism and relativism, divisions sparked by social media, and a world in turmoil? 

I sense he’d say, “Look at the brokenness in the city where God has called you. Receive clarity from God about how to serve people in his name, where he has placed you. Then don’t get distracted or come down from the wall. You’re doing important work, so stay focused.”

You draw from experiences in ministry and business, pointing to Christians’ advantages as leaders. How does following Jesus benefit people who lead? 

In the marketplace, an unfair advantage describes a skill or resource that others can’t easily copy or buy. Christian leaders have unfair advantages via God-given gifts we receive only by grace. We never lead alone, because God grants us wisdom. And because our Savior first served us, Christians can truly understand servant leadership. 

Research keeps discovering what Christians have known for 2,000 years. Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, found that the best leaders are humble. Psychologist and author Daniel Goleman said they display what we call the fruit of the Spirit. Fred Kiel, who cofounded KRW International, conducted research that revealed a return for companies led by high-character CEOs. 

Not all great leaders are Christians, and following Jesus doesn’t automatically create amazing leaders. But following Jesus makes us better leaders than we’d be without him.