Servant leadership was modeled by Jesus
Philippians 2:5-7 teaches us to have the same attitude that Jesus had—the attitude of a servant. Jesus knew where He came from, why He was here, and where He was going (John 13:1-17). He was secure, and He was free to serve as a leader—a servant leader.
Servant leadership was taught by Jesus
Matthew 20:25-28 indicates that the disciples had been influenced by the leadership patterns of the Gentiles. Jesus explained to them the leadership in the Kingdom of God: servanthood!
Who are you called to serve?
Who are you called to serve? Who is in your field of ministry (sphere of authority and responsibility)? Every leader needs to know his God-given “field of ministry.” When we lead with confidence within our God-given “fields of ministry,” we can be secure in who we are and lead as servants. 2 Corinthians 10:12-16
If we serve others, they will serve us
We reap what we sow. In 2 Chronicles 10:7, King Rehoboam, a new king, received advice from his father’s advisors about servant leadership: “If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.” In other words, we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Rehoboam refused their advice and paid the penalty.
Others will follow our example. 1 Corinthians 11:1 teaches us to recognize that others follow our example as we imitate Christ.
Serve by sowing into others
Servant leaders have a ministry of sowing seeds of truth into the lives of those whom they serve. Servant leaders see those they serve through “eyes of faith,” expecting a harvest. Mark 4:3-8
Serve by walking side by side with others
Servant leaders recognize the Kingdom of God is built through relationships. Mark 3:14 says that Jesus called His disciples that “they might be with Him,” then He sent them out two by two (Mark 6:7). 1 Timothy 1:5 gives us the Lord’s goal—love which comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. This love is modeled as we take apprentices under our wings and disciple them. 1 John 3:18 exhorts us to love—not with words, but with action.
An attitude of servant leadership
An attitude of serving is the key to servant leadership. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus exhorts us that whatever we do for one of the least of His brothers, we do for Him. In Matthew 9:36 we see the Lord’s compassion for the crowds. His attitude was always to serve. Leadership in churches must have the same heart attitude to serve.
Taking time to get to know people
A true leader has a servant’s heart and is willing to take the time needed to be “knit with” the people in his/her church/small group. Just like it takes several weeks for a broken bone to heal and knit together, so it takes time for relationships in the small group to be knit together. The church is built together through relationships “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
Serve by encouraging
Hebrews 3:13 tells us to encourage one another daily. This is especially true for new Christians who need regular encouragement and nurturing because they are like new plants in a greenhouse. Hebrews 5:14 tells us we grow into maturity by practicing and training ourselves to know the difference between right and wrong. Maturity does not happen overnight.
True servant leaders serve as spiritual advisors, encouraging God’s people in the Word as they mature in Christ. The small group is an excellent “wineskin” for regular encouragement.
Small-group leaders model lifestyles of servanthood by encouraging their members on a consistent basis.
Answer Your Call to Leadership
The DOVE Global Leadership & Ministry School provides practical biblical training as well as Holy Spirit impartation and activation. Hundreds of graduates are now successfully engaging God’s call to the church and the marketplace. Our goal is to help you build a biblical foundation to be led by the Holy Spirit and pursue your God-given dreams.
