Abiding • Authority

“Your Authority in the Kingdom is tied directly to Your Intimacy with the King, Jesus.” 

— Pastor James Harris

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“The Proistemi Blog”

Entry I

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The greatest challenge facing many church leadership today isn’t a lack of strategy, vision, or even great ideas—its the art of abiding.

Now, hear me out. 

How many times do we find ourselves chasing new growth strategies, bigger platforms, or greater influence as a fix for that team trouble, ministry mess, or spiritual struggle?

Well, too often.

Yet continuously we find ourselves stuck in the same situations and circumstances, feeling frustrated, tired, and like our words & leadership are just holding no weight. 

Why?

Ultimately, its simply because we lack authority—His authority. 

And somewhere along the line we settled for our own.

But His authority is what gives you greater access in The Kingdom—not your effort. 

And kingdom authority doesn’t come from a title or a leadership technique; it comes from garnering genuine intimate relationship with the King.

If we’re not deeply connected to King Jesus, then truthfully our spiritual leadership isn’t running on fumes: its running on empty. 

And what’s important to note, is the fact that the power, or weight, behind our leadership, is directly proportional to the depth of our intimacy with Christ.

This is where the leadership secret of  abiding comes in. Because where there is genuine abiding…there is genuine authority.

Let’s talk about that. 

— Authority and Abiding —

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus makes a remarkable statement and commission to His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” He says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Notice two things: First, all authority belongs to Jesus. Any authority we have is delegated from Him. — Second, He promises His presence remains with us (“I am with you always”) wherever we go.

In other words, our assignment to lead and disciple other people in their Kingdom purpose is backed by Jesus’ authority—personally!

But…only as long as we remain in His presence. As long as we abide.

You don’t earn Kingdom authority by your own merit; you access it by staying connected with the One who has all authority.

Jesus reinforces this idea in John 15:5, using the metaphor of a vine and branches.

 “I am the vine; you are the branches… Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Think about that: apart from Jesus you can do nothing. 

A branch severed from the vine can’t produce a single grape, in the same way that a leader disconnected from Christ can’t bear true Kingdom authority. 

Next level ministry programs, charismatic preaching, and leadership savviness mean nothing if we’re not actively abiding in Jesus.

But if we do abide? Then “much fruit” is the natural result. Our effectiveness in making disciples, leading teams, and influencing others will flow effortlessly because it’s coming from the life of Christ within us, not our own strength.

— Kingdom Authority Through Intimacy With Christ —

God’s intention/design for pastoral leadership looks less like a CEO issuing orders to meet quotas and more like a shepherd tending to the needs, health, & growth of the flock. 

In fact, one New Testament Greek word for “to lead” – proistēmi – carries the meaning “to lead, to assist, to protect and to care for others”.

Biblical leadership is inherently relational and self-giving. Jesus Himself calls Himself the “Good Shepherd” who knows His sheep intimately. 

Do you know those you lead? Or just what they can do for you?

He models that true authority flows from love and relationship. We see it in how He spent early mornings in prayer with the Father often before He went out and demonstrated the wonders of The Kingdom.

If Jesus drew His authority from intimacy with the Father, how much more must we depend on intimacy with Jesus for our authority?

Here’s the main point: Kingdom authority isn’t something we achieve or grab—it’s something we receive by staying close to Jesus. 

The more intimately you know Jesus, the more His authority naturally flows through you. It’s not about striving or shouting to exert your influence. It’s about abiding in Him.

A leader who consistently sits at Jesus’ feet will carry a quiet weight of authority that others can sense, even if they can’t explain it. 

Conversely, when we neglect our relationship with Christ, we may still hold a position of leadership, but we lack the spiritual authority and fruitfulness that make our leadership effective. It’s like trying to use a power tool that’s unplugged—everything looks the same on the outside, but there’s no power source. Our intimacy with the King is the “plug” for the power we need.

— Cultivating Intimacy with Christ —

If our spiritual authority comes from intimacy with Jesus, then as leaders nurturing that intimacy must be our top priority. 

How can we as leaders more deeply “abide” in Christ on a daily basis? Here are a few practical steps to consider:

• Prioritize unhurried time with God each day: Schedule daily “abiding” time – not for sermon prep or planning, but simply to be with Jesus. This could be in the early morning before anyone else is awake, or a quiet evening moment. Read Scripture slowly, pray honestly, and listen. Consistency matters more than duration. So a daily connection, even if brief, is better than nothing as it keeps you connected into the Vine.

• Practice the presence of God throughout your day: Don’t relegate Jesus to a morning devo and then forget Him the rest of your day. Invite Him into every part of your day. Whisper prayers as you drive or between appointments. Before difficult conversations or decisions. Pause to acknowledge His presence and ask for guidance. Make abiding a continuous conversation.

• Embrace spiritual rhythms of rest: It’s hard to be intimate with Jesus when we’re constantly exhausted. Make sure to honor a Sabbath day of rest each week where you cease ministry work and recharge with the Lord. Incorporate rhythms of solitude and silence (even 10-15 minutes of quiet can refocus your heart on God). Hurry is the enemy of intimacy, so slow down regularly to reconnect with Christ.

• Stay rooted in Scripture and worship: Let God’s Word shape your heart, not just your sermons. Meditate on passages like John 15, Psalm 23, or others that draw you to trust and love Jesus more. Likewise, engage in worship (privately and with others) to recalibrate your focus on God’s greatness. Worship softens our hearts and rekindles our first love for Christ, which is the wellspring of all fruitful ministry.

• Cultivate accountability and prayer support: Don’t try to sustain your spiritual life alone. Find a fellow leader or friend who can ask you regularly about your walk with Jesus (not just your ministry stats). Pray with a small group or mentor specifically for your own relationship with the Lord. Sometimes we pour out prayer for everyone else and forget we also need to be prayed for. Invite others to help you guard your intimacy with Christ.

These steps are about being with Jesus, not tasks to check off to become a “better leader,” but rather ways to help you make space for Christ to fill you. 

Remember, your people need the Jesus in you more than they need you. The best thing you can do for those you lead is to cultivate a real, vibrant friendship with the Lord.

— Closing Challenge — 

As you reflect on your leadership, ask yourself: Am I as concerned about being with Jesus as I am about working for Jesus? It’s easy to get caught up in building ministries and forget the one thing needful (Luke 10:42) – sitting at the feet of the Master. But if we neglect intimacy with the King, we forfeit the very authority and power we need to fulfill our calling.

Jesus is inviting you back to the vine. He’s inviting you to lead, not from a platform of human authority, but from the very overflow of His supernatural presence. 

So before you strategize how to expand your influence or grow your church, examine your abiding. How’s your relationship with Jesus? Are you soaking in His Word and listening to His voice? Are you walking in step with His Spirit?

The takeaway is simple yet profound: Your authority in the Kingdom will never outrun your intimacy with King Jesus. If you want greater spiritual authority, don’t seek a bigger title or louder voice—seek a closer walk with Christ. Let Him shepherd your heart so you can shepherd others, proistemi, the way He always intended. 

When you prioritize abiding in Jesus, you won’t have to worry about building your authority. His authority will accompany you wherever He sends you , and your leadership will bear the kind of lasting fruit that brings glory to God.

Lead from the secret place. Get as close to Jesus as you can, and stay there. In that place of intimacy, you will find all the authority, wisdom, and strength you need to guide His people.

And as you abide in the King, watch how He uses you to advance His Kingdom in ways you could never do on your own! Your influence will grow not because of your position, but because people will recognize you have been with Jesus. 

That is true authority. 

So draw near to Him, and lead boldly from the overflow of His presence. Your King is with you, and in Him, you have all you need.