BY EDMUND CHAN
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”
— Philippians 3:12-16
One of the most critical blind spots in leadership development today is this: we have over-emphasised leadership development and inadvertently neglected leader formation. The former concentrates on skills and systems. The latter focuses on soul and substance.
Leadership development is often curriculum-driven.
Leader formation is Spirit-led.
The difference is seismic. One trains the hands. The other transforms the heart.
You see, the discipleship of leadership is not merely about tools or techniques — it is the total transformation of a leader’s life by the Word and the Spirit. This transformation happens not through information alone, but through deep spiritual formation from the inside out.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t a one-time event. It is a sacred journey — a progressive sanctification.
The Apostle Paul captures this with a powerful metaphor – the race. Not a sprint. But a lifelong pursuit of the upward call of God.
To run well, we must live from Higher Ground.
And in Philippians 3:12–16, Paul reveals seven key principles for doing just that. Seven imperatives for leaders who are not content with the shallow and superficial, but who long for deeper growth and higher ground.
Key 1: BE DISSATISFIED WITH THE STATUS QUO
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect…” (v.12a)
Apathy is the enemy of growth. The higher ground begins with holy dissatisfaction.
“Not that I have already obtained this,” Paul says. He was not complacent. He was deeply aware of the gap between where he was and where God wanted him to be. Spiritual hunger marked his discipleship.
Key 2: EMBRACE THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN CHRIST
“…I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (v.12b)
Paul knew he had been laid hold of by Christ for a purpose. He wasn’t chasing carnal ambition; he was answering a divine calling. A calling that embraces the purpose of God in Christ.
Key 3: LAY ASIDE THE PAST
“…forgetting what lies behind…” (v.13a)
When our identity is anchored in Christ, our history does not define our destiny. Deal with past baggage. The past is a reference point, not a residence. It is a good place to learn from but a terrible place to live in. Let go of the past. Move on!
Key 4: LAY HOLD OF THE FUTURE
“…straining forward to what lies ahead…” (v.13b)
There is a holy tension here: forgetting the past, but fiercely reaching for the future. It grants a sense of deliverance on one hand and a sense of destiny on the other. Some leaders have a sense of destiny but lack deliverance from the bondage of the past. Others have deliverance but they cruise along with no sense of destiny. We need both!
Key 5: PRESS ON WITH A FOCUS
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (v.14)
Paul had a laser focus. He wasn’t running aimlessly. He wasn’t shadowboxing.
He was running with purpose – toward the upward call of God. It’s a higher ground that requires both clarity of vision and courage of heart.
Key 6: GUARD YOUR THOUGHTS
“Let those of us who are mature think this way…” (v.15)
Our spiritual maturity is tied to the way we think. This is about mindset. Not just thinking correctly, but thinking redemptively.
Paul is not speaking of intellectual speculations but of a disposition of truth anchored in divine revelation.
Key 7: CULTIVATE TRUTH-CONGRUENCE
“Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (v.16)
The greatest tragedy is not in failing to know the truth, but in knowing and not living it. Here is Paul’s apostolic call to alignment – where our beliefs and behaviours are congruent. Not just “holding fast” with conviction, but “holding true” with consistency.
May these seven kingdom keys, to the upward way, be a worthy compass for your pilgrimage ahead.
The call to higher ground is not for the faint of heart. But it is for those whose hearts are fully His.
Rev. Edmund Chan
A3 Faculty Member
"I believe that the test of leadership is found in the third generation. It involves mentoring leaders who would reproduce leaders. This is why I thank God for A3! It is an outstanding movement that's strategically committed to sustainable leadership development! Mentoring leaders. Multiplying disciples. YES!!!”
Rev. Edmund Chan
Leadership Mentor, Covenant Evangelical Free Church, Singapore
Founder, Global Alliance of Intentional Disciple-Making Churches
REVEREND EDMUND CHAN is a seasoned disciple-making pastor. The Leadership Mentor in Covenant Evangelical Free Church, Edmund is widely regarded as an insightful Bible expositor and a wise mentor of Christian leaders. In 1995, he launched the annual Intentional Disciple-Making Church (IDMC) Conferences, which have drawn over 1000 pastors and disciple-making leaders from more than 150 churches from over 18 countries. He also serves on the advisory councils of several Christian organizations. Edmund has authored Built To Last: Towards A Disciple-making Church, Growing Deep in God, Mentoring Paradigms and Growing Deep in Faith. He graduated summa cum laude from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with an MA (Missions). He is married to Ann Chan, who serves as an Associate Pastor, and they have two adult daughters, Amanda and Belicia.
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Photo credits:
- Cover photo of upward steps by Lingchor on Unsplash
- Photo of group hiking uphill by Red Shuheart on Unsplash
