Henry Blackaby makes it very clear
how influential a Christian man and woman can be on their culture as he writes,
“As go the people of God, so goes the redemption of the world.”
Another way to say this is, “As goes the spiritual leadership of the people of
God, so goes the people of God.” In Matthew 20:28 lies the foundation for
spiritual leaders: to serve. If Jesus, the supreme example of leadership, came
to serve, how much more so do His followers need to be people who serve? The
model of Jesus’ servant leadership is in the text; “. . . to give his life as a
ransom for many.” Not only is this the model, this is the goal of servant
leadership. Spiritual leadership has as the goal, to lead in a sacrificial way
so that those who would follow would be led to the redemption found in Jesus
Christ.
Servant leadership is the
foundation for all spiritual leadership.
Knowing
the foundation for spiritual leadership enables and it empowers. It enables in
that leaders will know what it is to which they are leading. They are able to
build on a foundation that has substance as well as sustaining power. Spiritual
leaders do not have to build their own foundation-it has been built for them in
the person and work of Jesus Christ. There is no reinventing of the wheel for spiritual
leaders. Spiritual leaders do not need to lead people by coming up with a new
and compelling vision statement that will attract the masses. The vision is
Jesus.
Servant leaders are
empowered to lead sacrificially, not out of a sense of entitlement; their goal
is not their own comforts. (Philippians 2:3) In fact, the larger the sphere of
leadership influence, the less personal choice a leader has. What a leader does
in private becomes less private the larger the sphere of influence. Jesus
Christ gave His life as a ransom for the redemption of humanity. Spiritual
leaders who are servant leaders are empowered by this message to do whatever it
costs, short of sin, to lead people to Jesus.
A
servant leader loves others. They cannot
be effective unless they have a desire to better the lives of those they lead.
Of course the deepest way to better others is to lead them to an authentic
relationship with Jesus Christ. A servant leader has a desire to have those
they lead to be healthy and whole (spiritually/emotionally/physically). No
healthy person wants to follow a servant leader who inflicts soul wounds on
those they influence, or to spiritually/emotionally abuse those whom they lead.
Humility is a trait that is deep within
the soul of a leader. (Philippians 2:5-11) Humble servant leaders understand
that it is because of the work of God and others that there is any achievement
in ones life. Humility understands
how to honor those they serve and lead.
A servant leader
whose life is marked by duplicity and moral compromise will not be a leader
with very much influence, if any at all. A servant leader who influences deeply
and broadly is one who lives with rock solid integrity. They inspire those they lead by the high standard with
which they govern themselves. A leader with integrity is a leader that can be
trusted; a leader who is trusted gains access into the life of a person that
others do not or will not have.
A leader may be
loving, humble, and full of integrity, but still find their influence
diminished if they are not enjoyable to be around. A servant leader is full of joy-they are fun people. Jesus was one
of the happiest guys to ever walk the earth. (Hebrews 1:9) People enjoyed being
around Jesus (unless they were a religious hypocrite.) Servant leadership is
leadership that walks in and demonstrates the joy of the Lord in their life.
