Jesus gave us a model of wise leadership. He said that leadership is all about serving. If you want to be great, you need to learn to be the servant of all. As Jesus said, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
True servant leaders are marked by five characteristics that were true of Jesus, the ultimate servant leader:
1. Servant leaders set an example.
To lead, you must start with yourself. You can’t take anybody further than you’ve already gone. That’s why Jesus says in John 13:15: “I’ve given you an example to follow. Now do as I have done to you.”
First, we’re supposed to be an example to fellow Christians. 1 Timothy 4:12 gives us five areas we should focus on as people of influence: “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
We also are to be examples to non-Christians. 1 Peter 2:12 says: “People who do not believe are living all around you. Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again.” God wants audiovisual Christians – people who “walk the walk” and “talk the talk” and set an example through their words and actions.
2. Servant leaders show us how.
True servant leaders intentionally show other people how they can be servant leaders. That’s what Jesus did. He said: “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
In 2 Timothy 2:2, the Apostle Paul says to a young man named Timothy: “Pass on what you heard from me to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others.” Notice that there are four generations in that verse. Paul says: “I gave it to you, Timothy. Now, Timothy, you to give it to reliable leaders. And then they will give it to other people.”
3. Servant leaders speak the truth.
To be a servant leader, you must be a person of integrity – a person who speaks the truth. The Bible records 78 times when Jesus says: “I tell you the truth.” In fact, Jesus even said, “I am the truth.” That’s why he was the greatest leader who ever lived; he was – and still is – truth.
The fact is most people won’t tell you the whole truth – because they’re afraid of your reaction to it. But leaders speak the truth. They want people to hear the truth more than they want people to like them.
But there is a qualifier. Ephesians 4:15 says: “By speaking the truth, in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ.” So as leaders who want to be like Christ, we must not only speak the truth, but we must speak the truth in love.
4. Servant leaders stretch our faith.
Jesus constantly stretched people’s faith because he knew that people only grow when they’re challenged. Without a challenge, our lives go downhill. That’s why so many men die six months after they retire. We weren’t made to do nothing. We were made to have challenges that pull us out of bed in the morning, stretch our faith, and give us something to live for.
How can you help people stretch their faith?
• Encourage them to face a fear. Once we get through a fear, we find freedom on the other side.
• Challenge them to do what seems impossible. When Jesus asked his followers to feed 5,000 people, it seemed impossible. But when they attempted the impossible, they found God already had it figured out.
• Help them think bigger. Everyone hungers for a higher purpose and deeper meaning – for something greater than themselves to give themselves to. There is nothing bigger than God’s plan and purpose for your life, for his Church, and for the world.
5. Servant leaders sacrifice their comfort in order to get the job done.
Why is Jesus Christ the most influential person in history? Because he sacrificed the most. Servant leaders sacrifice their comfort. Titus 2:14 says: “Jesus gave himself for us so he might pay the price to free us from all evil.” There is always a price tag for leadership. It costs you. You cannot lead without sacrificing.
What kind of sacrifice is God looking for? Hebrews 13:16 says: “Don’t forget to do good and to help one another. Because these are the sacrifices that please God.” God wants you to do good and help other people instead of following your own agenda. That’s right – servant leaders sacrifice their own agendas for God’s agenda.
But here’s the good news: Whatever you sacrifice here on this planet is going to be rewarded back to you exponentially in heaven, where you’ll enjoy it forever. Jesus said: “Anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields, whatever, because of me will get it all back a hundred times over. Not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life.” (Matthew 19:30) I consider that to be a considerable bonus.
Are you going to live for here and now or in light of eternity? There is a shortage of servant leaders who are influencing for good. If you’re following God, he wants others to follow you. It doesn’t have to be a crowd; it might be just one other person. But God expects you to be a servant leader – and he expects you to equip other people to be servant leaders. God is calling you to do this. Will you commit to his call?
Adapted from an article from Rick Warren
1 Comment
November 1, 2007 at 4:36 pm
This blog entry made some very valid points! Thank you!