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The Power of Being a Servant–Leader: Pt. 3

I’m enjoying our time together as we discuss and discover leadership from a servant’s perspective.  If this is your first time with us, check out Session One: “The Best Kept Leadership Secret” by reading Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 .

Last week I began Session 2 – The Power of Being a Servant-Leader. If you haven’t read it, you can do so HERE.  Friday’s session ended with me sharing the consequences of not having a servant-leader attitude.  Again, if you haven’t read it, you can CLICK HERE and read it NOW.  Today, let’s take a look at David’s heart - the right attitude towards servant-leadership.

A Servant-Leader has a Different Heart Attitude

By contrast David is someone who breathed and lived a servant- leader attitude. Even when he faced Goliath as a puny shepherd boy he led with his heart. In taking out the giant he would be serving his nation.

A servant-leader understands that the right heart attitude is vital to achieving success. In the Psalms, David constantly asked God to search his heart and grant him wisdom.

By being a servant-leader David built up an army of loyal followers. David rarely thought he was entitled to special privileges. David never sought to elevate himself, instead it happened naturally. This is the influence that results from a servant-leader heart attitude.

A servant-leader is someone who is secure in themselves. Success is often not as a result of the individual’s talents but because of their ability to create a successful team. Like David servant-leaders serve confidently and lead successfully. This is the power of a servant-leader.

Further Reading Inspiration and References:

Scripture verses:

  • The heart of a servant-leader – 2 Samuel 22:36
  • Jesus teaches about being aservant-leader – Mark 10:42-45
  • The demise of someone who is not a servant-leader – Ester 7:6-10
  • God rejects a non servant-leader – 1 Samuel 24-26

Other Reading:

The Power of Being a Servant–Leader: Pt. 2

Personally, I’m enjoying sharing my thoughts on servant-leadership. I know it’s counter-cultural to what we know about leadership. However, if you desire to lead God’s way, then servant-leadership is the way to go.

A few weeks ago I began the conversation sharing The Power of Being a Servant-Leader. If you haven’t read it, you can read it HERE.  Today, I’d like to continue the conversation by sharing the consequences of not having a servant-leader attitude.

The Consequences of not having a Servant-Leader Attitude

Is there really a benefit to being a servant-leader? After all many leaders rise up who don’t believe in serving. Let’s look at a character that did not have an attitude of being a servant-leader. What was their influence in history? Saul was the first of Israel’s kings. He was a tall and powerful warrior and a capable man.

But once he was king, he seemed to think this entitled him to do whatever he wanted. Attitudes of Saul’s life reflect he wasn’t a servant-leader. Saul made decisions based on popularity. When he made mistakes he tried to excuse them rather than take responsibility for them. He was insecure and tried to hold onto his position as king.

He was angry that someone like David should emerge as a leader. He often acted irrationally and put his personal agenda’s ahead of the good of the people he was leading. As a result his reign was not influential, he died young, and Israel did not prosper under his rule. History may have turned out differently had he had a servant-leader attitude.  By contrast David is someone who breathed and lived a servant- leader attitude.

Further Reading Inspiration and References:

Scripture verses:

  • The heart of a servant-leader – 2 Samuel 22:36
  • Jesus teaches about being a servant-leader – Mark 10:42-45
  • The demise of someone who is not a servant-leader – Ester 7:6-10
  • God rejects a non servant-leader – 1 Samuel 24-26

Other Reading:

The Power of Being a Servant Leader

I’m excited about sharing my thoughts on servant-leadership.  What’s great about this blog is that no matter where you are in the world, all you need to do is log, point your browser to the Urban Pastor Live, and elevate your leadership skills.  Last week we learned how being a servant is the best kept leadership secret.  If you missed it, you can read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 now.

The Power of Being a Servant-Leader

The term servant-leader probably conjures up images of someone who is always walking behind others, picking up after them and simply playing a supporting role. But just because you support and serve those you lead, doesn’t mean you are a doormat or any less of leader. It is probably the idea that a leader should have an elevated rather than serving position that hinders us from really understanding what being a servant-leader is about.

Think about epic stories like Braveheart. In the movie you see Mel Gibson as the lead character who is spurring his followers on to fight for freedom. But he doesn’t sit back and direct the battle from a distant hill. He is there in the front lines with his men, serving them in battle, fighting alongside them and yet still leading them. This is a powerful image of a servant-leader.  Because of his servant heart, his men stood toe-toe with him until the very end.

Did you enjoy today’s post?

Join me tomorrow as I discuss King Saul who vividly portrays the consequences of not having a Servant-Leader’s attitude.

The Best Kept Leadership Secret – Be a Servant Pt. 3

Today marks the official Thanksgiving holiday season.  As we prepare to spend time with our family and friends, don’t forget to tell them how thankful you are for having them in your life.  

Earlier this week I defined servant leadership and shared how leaders can lead and serve simultaneously.  You can read more about it HERE and HERE.  Today we conclude by sharing “The Best Kept Leadership Secret discovering the characteristics of a servant leader.”

Read More

The Best Kept Leadership Secret – Be a Servant Pt. 2

Monday’s post defined leadership from a biblical perspective.  Jesus’ servant leader model continues to work thousands of years later while producing billions of Christians worldwide.  

If you did not get a chance to read it, you can CLICK HERE.

Let’s begin today’s session with this question:

How can a Leader be a Servant at the same time?

When you picture a servant you probably think of someone with a low position. A leader by contrast is someone who is elevated by title. How is it possible then for a person to be both a servant and a leader? One of the best examples is Jesus Christ, who is arguable one of the most influential men and leaders of all time. He had thousands of people following him as he moved from town to town. He was looked up to as a great teacher and healer, and did many miraculous things. For believers he was the leader of all leaders. Yet one night while having dinner with a group of his closest friends, this leader stripped down to a servant’s attire and washed the feet of his followers (John 13:3-5). This was not an act of manipulation. It was an act of love. He had chosen them to lead and succeed him in his ministry. In washing their feet he was demonstrating that for them to be effective leaders, they needed to have a heart attitude of a servant.

The context of John 13 reveals to us that servant leaders:

1. Acquire their power from God

  • They understand that they get authority from God
  • They understand that they give account to God

2. Advance their people for God

  • They demonstrate humility in leadership
  • They demonstrate helpfulness in leadership

3. Achieve their purpose from God

  • They serve the Savior
  • They serve the saints

What’s remarkable about this story is how Jesus even washed Judas’s feet. Have you ever noticed that Judas already had the betrayal in his heart, yet Jesus still washed his feet too. Do you ever feel like you are doing things for people that don’t deserve it? Do you ever qualify your serving and give only to those who you deem worthy or deserving? Think about the example given to us by Jesus. There could have been no more undeserving than Judas, yet Jesus washed his feet too.

Next Session:

Characteristics of a Servant Leader

Further Reading Inspiration and References:

Scripture verses: Jesus washes the disciple’s feet as a servant - John 13 verses 3-5

  • To be great you must be a servant – Mark 10 verses 43-44
  • Christ’s attitude of being a servant – Philippians 2 verses 5-7
  • God looks for a servant heart – 1 Samuel verse 7

Other Reading: