THE SERVANT AS LEADER

• “The servant-leader is servant first… It begins

with the natural feeling that one wants to serve,
to serve first.
• Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to
lead. That person is sharply different from one
who is leader first, perhaps because of the need
to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire
material possessions…The leader-first and the
servant-first are two extreme types. Between
them there are shadings and blends that are
part of the infinite variety of human nature.
The difference manifests itself in the care
taken by the servant-first to make sure that
other people’s highest priority needs are being
served. The best test, and difficult to
administer, is: Do those served grow as
persons? Do they, while being served, become
healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous,
more likely themselves to become servants?
And, what is the effect on the least privileged
in society? Will they benefit or at least not be
further deprived?“
A servant-leader focuses primarily on the
growth and well-being of people and the
communities to which they belong. While
traditional leadership generally involves the
accumulation and exercise of power by one at
the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is
different. The servant-leader shares power, puts
the needs of others first and helps people
develop and perform as highly as possible.
 The Character of Servant Leadership

Servant Leadership is exercising real, godly leadership,

as Christ did when He used a towel, and influencing,

equipping, and empowering people to accomplish God's

purpose and plan. It is serving others unselfishly while

influencing and empowering them to grow in a Christ-

directed, purposeful direction.

• This was an uncommon trait in Jesus’ time,
just as it is in ours; do not let it be uncommon
for you! Being a leader in the church, or in the
home, is never a force of personality; it is
earning that respect because you love and
care (1 Kings 3:9; Luke 22:25-28; Matthew
25:21; Mark 9:33-37; John 5:19; Philippians
1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Timothy 2:24; Hebrews
13:17)
• Is the Character of Servant Leadership working
in you?
Take a careful look at this character, this Fruit of
Servant Leadership from God’s most precious
Word, by examining the passages below. Now
ask yourself:
1. How do I exhibit Servant Leadership in my
daily life?
2.What can I do to develop a better willingness to
have a serving attitude in leadership and value
people rather than manipulate them?
3. What blocks Servant Leadership from working
and being exhibited in me?
4. How can I make Servant Leadership function
better, stronger, and faster, even in times of
uncertainly and stress?
• Here are positive examples from Scripture (John
13:1-17; Acts 13:1-5; 1 Corinthians 16:15-18)
• Here are negative examples from Scripture (Genesis
30:25-43; Judges 13-16; Ezra 4:8-23; Matthew 18:21-
35; Luke 22:24)
• Manipulation, Political Self-Centered Agendas, and
Exploitation, are all opposites.
These types of leadership models may be the common
approach—so it seems—but they will fragment, and even
destroy a church. The leadership for the church must
come from the Jesus model, not the business model!
Rotten leadership is more destructive than a legion of
demons, as it corrupts godly principles and displays a
skewed understanding of our call to follow Christ.
• Jesus clearly tells us that a leader should
behave like a servant (Luke 22:26). We are not
in leadership for power, control, or for
personal gain. Rather, we are to point others
in His direction by our example. Jesus took a
towel and washed His disciple’s feet. This is an
act we can easily glance over, missing its
significance.
• Samson was a Judge for Israel (Judges 13-16).
His primary responsibility was to lead his
people, and defeat the Philistines. He chose,
instead, to party and pursue women that were
not right for him. The end result was that his
strength was taken away; he was blinded and
powerless.
• He wasted his leadership and abilities on
foolish, meaningless gains and manipulation.
How sad that so many of our church leaders do
the same.
Servant Leadership Principles: (Romans 12;
Galatians 2:20-21; Philippians 2-3).
1. Someone who has the attitudes that Jesus
had!
2. Someone who has been transformed by
Christ, with faith as the core of being, fueled
by Christ, not self!
3. Someone who places other’s needs first!
4. Someone who has eternal values and God's
timing in mind!
5. Someone who places integrity ahead of
ambition! (I Tim. 3:2a & 7a)
6. Someone who sees glorifying Christ and
serving Him as the measure of success!

More Ideas for Being a Servant Leader:

a. Servant Leaders of Jesus Christ and His
church have His “basin and towel” attitude!
(John 13:1- 17; 1 Corinthians 9:26,27)
b. Servant Leaders do not neglect their family!
c. Servant Leaders are not weak--they are meek
(strength under control)! Be willing to challenge
the system, ask questions, take risks, and, when
necessary, be willing to change.
d. Christian leaders and followers must not allow
personal agendas or power issues get in the way
of God’s Word or of reaching the goal of the
church (if the goal is Biblical).
e. Servant Leaders think strategically, like a
quarterback does in football. They see the big
picture, what is needed to run plays, see
possible options and defenses needed in order
to better glorify our Lord in life, programs, and
church.
f. Servant Leaders know how to lead themselves
and others in order to bring the church deeper
into the heart of God so to worship and glorify
Him!
g. Servant Leaders are not willing to compromise
truth or the Word just to be more effective!
h. Servant Leaders should be able, while modeling
the way, to get others to follow, empowering them
to grow spiritually and in ministry.
i. Servant Leaders include the team in all major
decisions and strategic planning for the ministry.
j. Servant Leaders remember Barnabas and his
relationship to the disciple, Paul. The early church
leadership, a model in which we need to apply too,
linked them to each other.
k. Servant Leaders work within their call, gifts,
and Scripture. They are open and motivated by
the Holy Spirit, which is not just a charismatic
thing! (2 Tim 1:6,7)
L. Servant Leadership is a team approach! The
teammates know that working together is giving
without receiving, as well as personally and
corporately growing spiritually!
m. Servant Leaders do not forget to support the
church’s overall vision and purpose statement, or
place personal feelings higher or in place of it.
Each team and Servant Leader is a working part
amongst the other parts. Just as a car cannot go
anywhere with just an engine, each team and
leader contribute to the overall mission and
purpose of the church.
n. Servant Leaders know that loyalty, harmony,
unity, trust, and commitment come from a
collaboratively encouraging environment.
o. Servant Leaders listen to everyone, not just
the ones in power or ones who have the
influence!
p. Servant Leaders are extremely important!
Next to the pastoral staff and board, the servant
leaders set the tone for the church. Servant
Leaders know that the effectiveness of their
empowerment, training, and supervising of the
team will determine the effectiveness of the
ministry and church.
q. Servant Leaders can and should expect that
Satan will not be happy with them, and must be
aware of his various ways of distraction and
confusion, especially when success comes which
infringes on his ground. The church is Satan’s
ground all to often!!
r. Servant Leaders will resist the latest fads and
leadership trends that are unbiblical! Yet, they
will use ones to make them more effective that
are in character of our Lord! Examples might be
budgeting and time management.
The end
Daghang
salamat!!!