20 September 2020

Serving is part of Leading

Leading others is a privilege that is earned, not a right. Being the leader means that you have been placed in a position to serve others. Real leaders forget about themselves and instinctively react in the interest of others.

Matthew 23:11-12 (MSG) “Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.”

True leadership is found in serving others. What this looks like will vary according to the situation, but the ultimate goal of a servant’s heart is to do our work with the aim of glorifying God.

"The servant-leader is a servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.” –Robert K. Greenleaf

Jesus is our perfect example when it comes to servant leadership. Jesus humbled himself and allowed God to exalt him. Jesus followed his Father’s will rather than sought a position. Jesus defined greatness as being a servant and being first as becoming a slave. Jesus alsways served others. Jesus left his place in heaven to serve the needs of others. Jesus shared responsibility and authority with those he called to lead. Jesus built a team to carry out a worldwide vision.

John 13:12-17 (KJV) “So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Mark 10:45 (KJV) “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

“The first step to leadership is servanthood.” –John Maxwell.

“He who has learned how to obey will know how to command.” –Solon

“You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.” –Sam Rayburn

“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say, ‘Thank you.’ In between, the leader is a servant.” –Max Du Preez