servant leadership

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
~ Philippians 2:6-7

The concept of "servant leadership" is discussed in business, administration, religion, education, and other areas of today’s world. While references relate it to the Bible, Scripture’s portrayal of leadership and servanthood are quite different from each other, however, meaningful when combined.

This combination describes Jesus. Grounded in faith with Jesus as the model, the leader understands that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom" (Psalm 111:10) and the "fear of the Lord leads to life" (Proverbs 19:23). Thus the leaders' servanthood is in Christ, his/her Lord and Savior. This acknowledgment by the leader results in leadership that becomes servanthood to others, whether it be family members, neighbors, peer workers, friends, fellow worshipers, employees, other citizens, supervisors, casual acquaintances, etc.

A third-grade girl demonstrated this servanthood so beautifully through her responses to a fellow student. A classmate was quite oppositional and negative with a less than likable personality; however, the girl often encouraged him and he responded positively. One day, however, when he started carrying on about a grade, the girl simply responded with "Well, what do you want, a medal?" The response brought the other child to a realization of his behavior and ended it.

Living a life of servant leadership or servanthood in Christ is not completely spelled out of each of our moments. We can start, though by daily revisiting our baptism through the Scriptures and prayer. Then, as Romans 8:28 reminds us, "use the gift of leadership diligently" or with meticulous care. What better way to lead as we seek to understand and serve the needs of others?

~ Marjorie Raess