What Is Servant Leadership?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

Jesus' words — Matthew 20: not so among you

• The question posed (in the host's frame): when we talk about leadership, in some circles, in some conversations, we hear this phrase, servant leadership, thrown around a lot. Now, when I think of those two words, servant and leadership, it seems like there might be a contradiction there. Because we think about a servant: that seems like somebody who does what somebody else tells them to do, serving them, in some way. And when we think about leadership, we might think about somebody who gives orders, or tells other people what to do. If that's the case: how can somebody be a servant leader? Can you help us make sense of that? The answer: sure. I do believe it's a valid, scriptural concept. And again, let me refer you to a more extensive resource. I've written a book called Spiritual Leadership in the 21st Century. And it discusses this very important topic, and a lot of related things, about what it means to be a spiritual leader. So it's for pastors, for ministers, but also for lay leaders as well — Spiritual Leadership in the 21st Century. But let's go to the words of Jesus, in Matthew chapter 20. And I'm going to be reading, from the New King James version. The disciples of Jesus were arguing, over who would be greatest, in the kingdom of God. So Jesus took this opportunity, for a teaching. So, Matthew 20:25: 'but Jesus called them to himself, and said: you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them (the word stands as 'lorded'), and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so, among you. But whoever desires to become great, among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first, among you, let him be your slave. Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom, for many.' (The reading runs through the ransom saying.)

Scriptures: Matthew 20:25-28

The footwashing, the aspiring bishop — and the man under authority

• And that reminds me of: after the Lord's Supper, Jesus washed his disciples' feet — John 13 — said: 'I've given you an example, that you should do likewise.' If I — your lord, your master, your teacher — if I have done this menial job — which, in that culture, a servant would do, of washing your feet — well: how much more should you be willing to serve one another? So it does seem countercultural. And Jesus even stated that it was. Although I will tell you that a number of business books have gotten a hold of this concept, and said: if you want to have a good business, and you want to be a good leader: if you would learn this principle, you'd be better. But I think Jesus is pointing out an obvious truth, that you alluded to. That: we think of a leader, in the world — we think of a business leader, or politician, or government official — we tend to think of how much money they get, how many perks and privileges, how many people they order — you know, how many people are under them, and report to them. And that's leadership. But Jesus said: don't think like that, in the church. You think about a leader, as one who serves. So, simple illustration: if you're a pastor of 20 people, then you're trying to counsel them, pray for them. If they're sick, you visit them in the hospital. You try to meet their needs, in whatever way you can — primarily spiritually. But you feel a responsibility to help them. Well, if you're a pastor of 200, now you're serving 200 people. So we might think: well, the pastor of 200 is higher position. He's probably full-time. He's probably got a nice house. He's got a good income. So, you know, he may have a special parking spot, because he's coming in and out — and he doesn't need to look for a parking spot, if he's got to come preach. And so he gets these little perks and privileges. So that's a leader. But if you look behind the scenes: a good pastor will have a servant's heart. And what you don't see is: he is praying, studying, visiting people, going to hospitals, counseling, helping with marriages. You know, helping — so, but not just with 20 people: 200 people. So he may be getting up early, to go pray for someone, before surgery. He may be awaking late at night, with a crisis. And so he's on call. And I do think he needs to set some boundaries, for his personal life, and family. But the point is: he's serving more people. So, the quote, higher, in leadership, in the church — the more you're serving. And you should have a servant's heart.
• So it's not wrong to aspire to leadership. Paul wrote, in Timothy: you know, if you aspire to the office of a bishop, that's good — if God has called you, and you feel a burden, to do that. But, coming back to what Jesus said: if that's what you feel is your calling, remember: it's to serve. So you should only want that position, if it enables you to be more effective, in helping other people. Of course, as humans, we're all subject to mixed motives. So: do we want the church to grow, because more souls are saved, and discipled? Or do we want the church to grow, because, hey, we'll get more prestige, and name recognition, and maybe a better salary? Well, it might be both. But I think what we have to do is: periodically, as leaders, go back to God, in prayer, and say: Lord, purge me of impure motives. And help me to want the right thing. But help me to want to, for the right reason. Help me to always be a servant. Never lose sight, that I'm to be a servant. You know, there's an interesting story. So, Jesus having — if you read — I already alluded to John 13, the washing of feet. It's interesting statement: Jesus, having authority from God — so, as a man, he was divinely ordained; of course, he was God manifest in the flesh — but since he had divine authority, he washed feet. Well, that's counterintuitive. We expect: since he had divine authority, you know, he defeated the enemies, or he healed the sick, or he cast out demons. But no — he served. And there's also a story of a centurion, that had a servant, that was sick. And so this pagan, or this Gentile — but he did have faith — he comes to Jesus, and says: Lord, heal him. And you don't have to come to my house, to speak the word, and you can heal him. Because he says: I'm a man under authority. And I tell a soldier to go, and he goes. And you would think he would say: I am a man of authority. You know, I have authority, so I know how to exercise it. But he said: I'm a man under authority. So I know how authority works. Now, that's interesting. Because: I'm submitted to leadership; I know how to lead, because I serve someone else. I know how to guide the person that's under me. So that's a little different concept of leadership, than what we think.

Scriptures: John 13; 1 Timothy 3:1

1 Peter 5 — shepherds, examples, and accountable authority

• Let me give you another passage of scripture. It's found in 1 Peter, chapter 5. The apostle Peter, writing to the elders — which, that term is also used equivalently of pastors, and bishops, in the New Testament, as we see here, even — 1 Peter 5:1: 'the elders, who are among you, I exhort — I, who am a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory, that will be revealed — shepherd the flock of God, which is among you.' Now, it's interesting: the King James says 'feed'. But the literal word, in Greek, is: to be a shepherd — which, of course, feeds. But you should note that: the King James word, pastor, in English, is equivalent to shepherd. So here, the elders are called the shepherds, or pastors. 'Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you, serving as overseers' — and here, the Greek word is the same word translated as bishop. So here we see, at least in this context: leaders of the local church are called elders, pastors, bishops (the terms stand slashed, as 'Elders SL pastors SL Bishops', in the text). So these are the spiritual leaders of the church. To these are the people, to whom the UPCI would give ministerial credentials. And we would expect there would be a senior leader, of the local church, that we call the pastor, senior pastor. But other ministers of the church would also be elders, shepherds, overseers, pastors, bishops. However, that would be the New Testament terminology. So, going back: 'shepherd the flock of God, which is among you, serving as overseers — not by compulsion, but willingly.' So you're not doing this, because you're forced to. But because you have a desire; you have a burden; you feel a calling. 'Not for dishonest gain, but eagerly.' So don't take advantage of people. Don't use your position, to get money, from people — especially not fraudulently. But I think the connotation is: don't misuse your position, for the sake of personal gain, to you. It could include favoritism. 'Not for dishonest gain, but eagerly' — because you desire it. 'Nor as being lords, over those entrusted to you, but being examples, to the flock.' So a true spiritual leader, or a true Pastor, is not a dictator, but an example. There is a true spiritual authority. There's a true pastoral authority. But it's as a servant, and it's by example. So we, as leaders, should do more than what we expect, our followers. And if we want people to follow us, we have to go before them. We have to be first: in dedication, in prayer, in sacrifice, in giving, in commitment, in love, in service, in humility. And no authority is unlimited, except God's authority. All other authority must be accountable. And when we were talking about church government, I said: shared governance. So a pastor works with a church board, and a congregation, and a leadership team. And he listens to them. He gets advice from them ('gets advice to them', as heard). He's accountable to them, just as they're accountable to him. So we see: a well-rounded Pastor, or well-rounded spiritual leader, does have spiritual authority. But it's accountable authority. It's mutual submission. That leader should have peers, and leaders, that he looks to, that he listens to. So, whether it be: if it's a pastor — that man, or woman's, Pastor. Or a district superintendent, or presbyter ('preser', as heard) — may not be in charge of their whole life, but they respect them, and listen to them, and get guidance, from them. Or there may be spiritual elders, or peers. As you get older, that you will be accountable to them. So it's a picture of spiritual leadership, that's accountable. That has concept of interdependence. A concept of mutual submission. Respect for authority. Submission to authority. An example: that he will do — if he expects his people to pay tithes ('pay ties', as heard), he pays tithes, beyond himself — which we have, through ministerial dues, at least in part. If he expects people to listen to his authority, then he listens to authorities, in his life — which would include, you know, leaders who are elected by the body, and leaders whom God has placed over him. Not necessarily in all respects, but in relevant respects. And so: if he wants his people to be faithful, in attendance, then he should be faithful, in attendance. And he wants them to cooperate, with the overall church program — he should lead his church, in cooperating, with the other churches, in the district, and general church program. So, in other words: be an example, in every way. Whatever you want people to follow, in your leadership, you should model that, in your own leadership.

Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:1-3

From experience — trust is the best form of leadership

• So here we see the concept of servant leadership: leading, as a servant; and leading, by example. It may sound counterintuitive. But I can tell you, from experience — his years (the count stands split, as '40 two years', in the text) of full-time ministry, 18 years as a senior pastor, and then as a leader of many, as a district presbyter, district superintendent, general superintendent — I can tell you that, when you lead with humility, and service, and example, you actually gain influence, and respect. You actually become a more effective leader, where people will follow you — not because of a position, or not because you assert authority, or not because you say, God's going to discipline you, if you don't — but because they trust you. And ultimately, that's the best form of leadership.

Scripture index: Matthew 20:25-28; John 13; 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3.