“Leader as Servant”

[its_brad]

How can one truly serve and truly lead, or what must give?

[mknewell]

I believe that neither must give. It is all centered around the basis from which we operate. If we are working from a christ focused center then we will naturally serve as we lead. We will implement the teachings of Christ in our actions with those who work for us so that they will recognize that we are not attempting to dominate them or misuse them. They will recognize that we are genuine in our actions and are working in such a way that will build the kingdom. If others see this servant based core they will not be hesitant to follow. If is from our desire to be a servant to God that we are enabled to lead.

[wendywatts]

I wonder if one is truly serving if in turn they are not truly leading. Often times the best leaders are those who lead by example. I remember my childhood pastor. He was a great leader. Yet, the things I remember the most about him was his serving spirit; the time he chaperoned the missions’ trip to DC or when he served in the preschool class at VBS. It was these experiences that made him a better example/leader to others in the congregation. Now there are times that my pastor did “lead” but this was always connected with his serving. In looking at what they must give, I believe leaders must give of themselves to the congregation. This is not simply an all the time giving but instead when with people to truly give of themselves.

[jerrywebb2]

How can one truly serve and truly lead, or what must give?


In my opinion, in order to really lead in ministry, we must serve. This especially rings true to me when I look to Christ as an example of leading. He lead by serving. There are many examples to support this. In pastoral ministry, our job is to prepare and equip others to be ministers of the gospel. We do this by serving those we lead. Leading in a church is serving those whom we lead. It is not merely a job, but a calling. When we remember our calling, it is not hard to understand why we are to serve.

[jerrywebb2]

I wonder if one is truly serving if in turn they are not truly leading. Often times the best leaders are those who lead by example. I remember my childhood pastor. He was a great leader. Yet, the things I remember the most about him was his serving spirit; the time he chaperoned the missions’ trip to DC or when he served in the preschool class at VBS. It was these experiences that made him a better example/leader to others in the congregation. Now there are times that my pastor did “lead” but this was always connected with his serving. In looking at what they must give, I believe leaders must give of themselves to the congregation. This is not simply an all the time giving but instead when with people to truly give of themselves.

I appreciate the thought of leading by example. In leadership, to be authentic, we must model what we preach and teach. Leading in ministry is not functioning like a boss or CEO, but a totally different style of leadership. Servant leadership is really unique to the Church and this calls for leaders to follow the example of Christ. When we seek to become like Christ, our leading naturally flows out of us as service.