Servant Leadership

Today’s Bible Reading:  1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Philippians 2

Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:

Topic: Leadership

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians 2:4-8

⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Phil 2:4-8 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

What is the purpose of a king? What is the job of a president? Is the coach the head of the football team—the manager the leader of the baseball team? What is the role of a CEO, a general, a politician, a pastor? All of these positions are occupations of leadership. In this passage the Apostle Paul offers a model of leadership in Jesus, arguably the greatest and most influential leader of all time. Jesus, though He was in very nature God, humbled himself and took the nature of a servant.

If you are a leader who believes that the position you have been empowered with is a God-given calling, then your leadership has an added God-given definition. A leader in God’s economy must be more than smart, shrewd, visionary and organized. The successful leader by Jesus’ standards must also become a slave to those whom he or she is called to lead. The successful leader is not the one who gains the most for her or himself, but the one who gives the most for the benefit of others.

APPLICATION:

If a king or a president or a CEO or a pastor sees their role only as one of authority, or as a position to bring themselves wealth, power, exultation, etc.—they are missing the mark of a leader. A football coach or a baseball manager’s job is to bring out the best abilities of the athletes under his supervision and to build them into a well functioning team. The manager is a servant to the team she leads; helping to coach, teach, prod and encourage each team member to their best potential. Kings, presidents, CEO’s and pastors should see their roles in the same light. A leader is a servant to those he leads.

PRAYER:

Lord, in whatever capacity You empower me to lead, grant me the ability to lead effectively and the grace to lead humbly. In my calling to teach and develop other leaders in Your Church, grant me the favor and faculty to impart the importance of Spirit-filled servant leadership to disciples who will then lead others.    

In Jesus’ name. Amen.  -AP