Jesus on Leadership

1. Servant Leadership: Putting Others First

A servant leader—serves the mission and leads by serving those on mission with him.

Mission-driven service. Servant leadership is not about being subservient, but about prioritizing the mission and those working towards it. This approach flips traditional leadership models on their head, focusing on empowering others rather than accumulating personal power.

Characteristics of servant leaders:

• Put the needs of others before their own
• Focus on developing and enabling their team members
• Prioritize the overall mission rather than personal gain
• Lead by example, demonstrating the values they espouse

Servant leadership creates a positive cycle where empowered team members are more engaged, productive, and likely to emulate the servant leadership style themselves.

2. Humility as the Foundation of Leadership

Servant leaders humble themselves and wait for God to exalt them.

Embracing humility. True servant leaders understand that leadership is not about personal glory or status. Instead, they cultivate a humble attitude, recognizing their own limitations and the value of others' contributions.

Key aspects of humility in leadership:

• Acknowledging one's own mistakes and weaknesses
• Being open to feedback and ideas from all levels
• Giving credit to others for successes
• Focusing on the greater good rather than personal accolades

Humility allows leaders to build trust, foster collaboration, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.

3. Following Jesus: The Ultimate Model of Servant Leadership

Servant leaders follow Jesus rather than seek a position.

Learning from the Master. Jesus Christ exemplified servant leadership throughout his ministry. By studying his actions and teachings, leaders can gain profound insights into effective, compassionate leadership.

Key lessons from Jesus' leadership style:

• Prioritizing others' needs (washing disciples' feet)
• Leading with compassion and empathy
• Teaching through actions as well as words
• Empowering followers to continue the mission

By following Jesus' example, leaders can cultivate a leadership style that is both powerful and deeply rooted in service to others and a higher purpose.

4. Greatness Through Service: Redefining Leadership

Servant leaders give up personal rights to find greatness in service to others.

Sacrificial service. True greatness in leadership comes not from accumulating power or prestige, but from willingly sacrificing personal interests for the good of others and the mission.

Ways leaders can embrace service:

• Actively looking for opportunities to support team members
• Removing obstacles that hinder others' success
• Prioritizing team and organizational goals over personal advancement
• Celebrating and elevating others' achievements

This approach to leadership creates a culture of mutual support and shared success, where everyone is invested in the collective mission rather than individual gain.

5. Taking Risks: The Courage of a Servant Leader

Servant leaders can risk serving others because they trust that God is in control of their lives.

Faith-driven courage. Servant leadership often requires taking risks and stepping out of one's comfort zone. This courage stems from a deep trust in a higher purpose or calling.

Elements of risk-taking in servant leadership:

• Challenging the status quo when it doesn't serve the mission
• Empowering others, even when it means giving up control
• Making difficult decisions that prioritize long-term mission over short-term gains
• Being vulnerable and admitting mistakes

By embracing calculated risks, servant leaders can drive innovation, inspire others, and achieve breakthroughs in pursuing their mission.

6. The Power of the Towel: Leading by Example

Servant leaders take up Jesus' towel of servanthood to meet the needs of others.

Tangible servanthood. The image of Jesus washing his disciples' feet with a towel is a powerful symbol of servant leadership. Modern leaders can embody this principle by consistently demonstrating their willingness to serve, no matter how menial the task.

Ways to lead by example:

• Performing tasks typically "beneath" leadership positions
• Being the first to volunteer for difficult or unpleasant work
• Consistently putting team needs before personal comfort
• Showing genuine care for team members' well-being

When leaders consistently model servant behavior, it sets a powerful example that can transform entire organizations.

7. Equipping Others: Sharing Responsibility and Authority

Servant leaders share their responsibility and authority to meet a greater need.

Empowerment through delegation. Effective servant leaders understand that their role is not to do everything themselves, but to equip and empower others to contribute fully to the mission.

Steps to equip others:

1. Identify individual strengths and passions
2. Provide necessary training and resources
3. Delegate meaningful responsibilities
4. Grant appropriate authority to make decisions
5. Offer support and guidance as needed

By sharing both responsibility and authority, servant leaders multiply their impact and develop future leaders who can carry the mission forward.

8. Building Effective Ministry Teams

Servant leaders multiply their leadership by empowering others to lead.

Collaborative leadership. Building and nurturing effective teams is a crucial aspect of servant leadership. By creating a strong team environment, leaders can achieve far more than they could alone.

Key elements of effective ministry teams:

• Shared vision and purpose
• Clear roles and responsibilities
• Open communication and trust
• Mutual accountability
• Celebration of diverse gifts and perspectives

Servant leaders focus on creating an environment where team members feel valued, empowered, and united in pursuing a common mission. This approach not only achieves immediate goals but also develops future leaders who can expand the impact of the mission.

Last updated: October 3, 2024