The Christian Servant Leader listens to the Lord, as well as, the people within and without the organization. They conduct surveys and focus groups. They visit, interact with the people and bring in scholars to teach and instruct. Followers are dedicated, caring workers who put others ahead of themselves. Working for a Servant Leader is a privilege. The Servant Leader knows your name, remembers birthdays and knows your family, your hobbies and special interests. Time and work productivity is important, but saying ‘thank you’, and finding time to demonstrate God’s love is also a primary task.
“The beginning and the end of all Christian leadership is to give your life for others.” (The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society)
“The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NIV)
“True Greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.” (J. Oswald Sanders. Spiritual Leadership Commitment to Excellence for Every Believer, 2008)
Servant Leadership is not a toolbox of skills, talents and strategies, each uniquely chosen, manipulated and abused at the whim of the leader. Servant Leadership is not one person controlling, whining and leaving others feeling they have been taken advantage of. It is not a ‘we as opposed to they’ challenge. It is not teams suspicious of others or individuals vying for power, control or personal empire building. It is not competition between teams working to manipulate for personal achievement. It is not comparing, contrasting and boasting or accepting personal accolades for someone else’s achievement. Servant Leadership is not power and control over others.
“You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them.” (Matthew 20:25 NIV) “Those who guide this people mislead them and those who are guided are led astray.” (Isaiah 9:16 NIV) Servant Leadership is not working independently where “everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 21:25 NIV) or “if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14 NIV)
Let’s serve together demonstrating God love in everything we do.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Jethrogroup.ca Author of: Leadership is Devotions for Servant Leaders (Amazon.ca)