Servant Leadership

I want to share with you all a concept called "Servant Leadership". If you have never heard of it, I know it can strike you up side the head with confusion. However, never fear, Antoine is here to break all the moves down real slow so you can understand them.

Well what is servant leadership? It seems that the two words are the exact opposite of each other. How can you serve folks and be a leader at the same time?  That is another good question. Let's get a few  working definitions, then we will bring up the rear with some scriptures.

Servant leadership is a term that is circulating among business owners and organization leaders today. It was coined by a man named Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970 however, the act of servant leadership has been around since Jesus' times. Today the Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership (http://www.greenleaf.org, Retrieved Wed Sep 28, 2005) defines it as:

"Servant-Leadership is a practical philosophy which supports people who choose to serve first, and then lead as a way of expanding service to individuals and institutions. Servant-leaders may or may not hold formal leadership positions. Servant-leadership encourages collaboration, trust, foresight, listening, and the ethical use of power and empowerment."

It makes you want to scratch you head right? Well, it shouldn't. The concept was revealed to me through the book "God is my CEO" by Larry Julian. But see, the idea is not just for the corporate world, it is for other non-profit organizations, and more importantly the church. I later realized that I had known of the concept all along through biblical experience and you probably did too. Amazing how the Holy Spirit works!

Think about it, you as the leader have to first be humble because in order to serve someone else you must be humble despite your title. This is a great time to look at someone who is very humble. SCRIPTURE TIME!!!!   First let's go to John 13:4-5,

(4) He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. (5) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. (KJV)

WHAT? Why would Jesus need to do anything like that? I mean after all, he knew "that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God" (John 13:3, KJV). I mean why would he have to serve the disciples? It is also about knowing who you are, where you are coming from, and where you are going. If you know those three things, then there will no problem with serving those whom you lead.  After Jesus washed the disciples feet he says, in John 13:14-16

(14) If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  (15) For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (16) Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. (KJV)

Let's just remember that as leaders, we don't have to ram things down people throats nor use them as objects or a means to an end. The bottom line should not be your priority. The bottom line can be about the profit driven corporate world or your organizations goal and mission, and/or spreading and preaching the gospel. If you take care of your disciples, employees, and/or volunteers and serve their needs, the bottom line will take care of itself. Not only will they feel good about themselves, but they will feel empowered to do what's best for the organization. Again, the bottom line takes care of itself.

Now, if only we can began to apply this in our spiritual walk. The phrase for today is "Servant Leadership". Are you a position or title hog? Or, are you a humble servant, leading those you serve? Marinate on that a minute.

Antoine E. Hall

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22

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Bring Things Back Into Focus

Colossians 3:17;22-25  (17) That is, everything you do or say, do in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  (18) Wives, subject yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate in the Lord...(22) Slaves, obey your human masters in everything, not serving only when they are watching you, to win their favor, but single-heartedly, fearing the Lord. (23) Whatever work you do, put yourself into it, as those who are serving not merely other people, but the Lord. (24) Remember that as your reward, you will receive the inheritance from the Lord. You are slaving for the Lord, for the Messiah. (25) Don’t worry — whoever is doing wrong will be paid in kind for his wrong, and there is no favoritism shown.

Who says that waking up in the morning to hit the grind of work is easy?  For those who are fortunate enough to have gainful employment, we can get use to the same routine of waking up Monday through Friday to go to the same job to do the same functions to only have two days off.  Wash. Rinse. Repeat.  I know how it feels because this is me.

Over the past few years, I have some how lost my focus for who it is that I labor.  As a man, we tend to focus on providing for our families.  We want to make sure there is a roof over their heads, food is on the table, the heat and lights are on and that everyone is happy.   Women who work can fall victim to the same things as well.  See, it is a dangerous trap to place the labor we do as a secondary means to provide in a fleshly manner for the household.  Some where along the way, we forget that God provided the job.  We gave Him thanks when it first came along and then some time down the road it turned into something we just shrug and assume it will always be there.

This morning, I want to challenge you to change your focus.  In Colossians, Paul tells us to work as we work for the Lord and not for man.  We are to do the work that we do as if we are walking into the Lords office every morning.  If you had to swipe your security card with Jesus every day as you walked through the building, how would that change your attitude?  I suspect a lot!  As such, let's remember in all that we do and say, we do it unto the Lord.  No matter what happens at work.  No matter how good or bad you may think you have it, do your tasks as given to you and work it all out for the Lord!

Image Courtesy of MediaWiki Commons

Have a great day folks!

Antoine E. Hall

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22

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