Servant Leadership

I believe that the theme of servanthood is an essential concept for leadership. All good leaders are servant leaders. Servant and leader are two roles that must be combined in one person.

The servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the understanding that one needs to serve, and wants to serve. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. Jesus teaches all leaders for all time that greatness is not found in rank or position but in service. True leadership is grounded in love, which must issue in service.

The significance of the attribute of servanthood is Jesus’ example. Jesus listened to and served those on the periphery and the marginalised and encountered them with grace and love. He saw their needs and responded in kindness, not concerning Himself with their status or character. Through His ministry Jesus presented the gospel in a living and tangible way. The gospel ‘bridge’ must be two ways - not a monologue, but interaction - building relationships by serving.

The servanthood of Jesus shows us the freedom to surrender what one wishes, to serve the purpose of God and the good of others; the faith to believe that God’s power will be at work through our weakness – as it happened in Jesus, who offered Himself as broken bread and poured-out wine for the world. Jesus took on the very nature of a lowly servant when He entered human life in His incarnation. What an example Jesus provides of the spirit of humility, and being made in human likeness. Externally, therefore, Christ appeared as a mere human being; outwardly considered, He was no different from other people. This was indeed an act of great condescension for one who possessed the form of God. But Christ's incomparable act did not end here; He further humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death.