Servant leadership ∙

Servant leadership ∙

Now Joshua, son of Nun, was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. – Deuteronomy 34:9

Joshua 1:1-10

1 After the death of Moses, the LORD’s servant, the LORD, spoke to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said,
2 Moses, my servant, is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.
3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you.

5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6 Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
9 This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
10 Joshua then commanded . . ..

Leadership comes in many forms, and it defies a one-size-fits-all definition. Successful leaders bring diverse personalities, backgrounds, and methods to the table. Among the many styles of leadership, one that has deeply resonated through the years is servant leadership.

Although the concept has existed for centuries, the term “servant leadership” was first introduced in 1970 by Robert K. Greenleaf in his groundbreaking essay, “The Servant as Leader.” Greenleaf wrote, “The servant-leader is servant first,” emphasizing that authentic leadership begins with the desire to serve others. Instead of viewing power and authority as tools for personal gain, a servant leader sees leadership as a way to uplift and empower those they lead.

What is Servant Leadership?

At its core, servant leadership is a philosophy that places the needs of others at the heart of leadership. A servant leader’s goal is not self-promotion or dominance but the growth and well-being of their team, community, or organization. They share power, prioritize the needs of others, and help individuals develop to their fullest potential. Greenleaf encouraged leaders to ask themselves two critical questions when serving others:

1. Do those served grow as persons?
2. Do they become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, and more likely to serve others?

This approach flips the traditional hierarchy of leadership on its head. Instead of expecting people to serve their leader, the leader seeks to serve their people.

The Key Traits of a Servant Leader

Servant leadership stands in sharp contrast to authoritarian leadership, where power is wielded to dominate or control. Servant leaders lead with a heart of service and a genuine commitment to others’ well-being. Here are some defining characteristics of a servant leader:

• Others-centered mindset: A servant leader prioritizes the needs of others, driven by compassion and responsibility.
• Empowering others: They invest in the personal and professional growth of individuals, nurturing strengths and building confidence.
• Collaboration vs. control: Servant leaders focus on trust and collaboration rather than power and dominance, measuring success by the empowerment of those around them.

Craig Groeschel encapsulates this idea beautifully, stating, “Most leaders are trying to figure out the right strategy. The best leaders are obsessed with empowering the right people.” Servant leadership recognizes that the key to success is not just in making strategic decisions but in building up those who execute them.

Servant leadership is not a modern concept; it is deeply rooted in biblical principles. Moses serves as an extraordinary example of a servant leader in the Scriptures.

Servant leadership is a calling. It invites leaders to shift their perspective from personal ambition to selfless service. It challenges them to consider how their actions, words, and decisions affect the growth and well-being of others. Moses didn’t seek power or personal glory. Instead, he devoted himself to serving God’s people, leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and guiding them through the wilderness despite immense challenges. Yet, Moses also understood the importance of empowerment. He prepared Joshua to take over his leadership role, ensuring the success of Israel’s future. Moses demonstrated that servant leaders focus not on their own legacy but on the continued growth and thriving of those they serve.

REFLECT & PRAY

“No one ever mistook Jesus for anything but a leader, and yet He chose to serve—right up to the moment He performed the ultimate act of service by laying down His life so that we might live” (Stanley).

Father, thank You for the extraordinary example of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the perfect servant leader. Encourage me to serve selflessly and to honor others above myself. Please help me to lead with humility and a genuine desire to put the needs of others first.

INSIGHT

The Lord Jesus Christ was the quintessential example of servant leadership. His life was dedicated to focusing on the needs of others, consistently putting them first, as noted in Philippians 2:4. MacDonald stated, “The Son of Man is the perfect example of lowly service. He came into the world not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28 affirms this truth, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

As Constable reflected, “Jesus presented Himself, the Son of Man, as the supreme example of a slave of others. He would even lay down His life in the service of others, not just to help them but in their place. As Messiah, Jesus had every right to expect service from others, but instead, He served others.”

For the children of the King, the goal is to emulate our King. The greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ is evident through His attitude and actions of service to others in meekness and humility. He entered the world as the Suffering Servant, as described in Isaiah 53. While the nature of service varies among the children of the King, the motivation remains the same—to put others first, to serve, and not be served.

MacDonald further noted, “The whole purpose of the Incarnation can be summed up in two words—serve and give. It is amazing to think that the exalted Lord humbled Himself to the manger and to the cross. His greatness was manifested in the depth of His humiliation. And so it must be for us.”

On December 12, 1667, the Council of Moscow deposed the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Nikon. He was described as a “man of great ability and sincerity but of autocratic temper.” The word “autocratic” derives from the Greek terms autos (self) and kratos (rule). Autocratic leaders tend to dominate those under their authority.

Autocratic leaders are considered authoritarian because they make decisions with little to no input from others. Rarely do they seek opinions or expertise from those they lead. The three pillars of autocratic leadership are discipline, preparation, and victory, with an emphasis on control.

However, the kingdom of God operates on a completely different pattern. The autocratic model is turned upside down. Long before the term “servant leadership” was coined by Robert Greenleaf, the Lord Jesus Christ offered an innovative and radical, if not revolutionary, leadership paradigm. His approach was unconventional, involving an inverted hierarchy. Instead of seeking self-promotion or recognition, greatness in His kingdom consists in becoming the servant of all.

Mark 9:35 illustrates this concept when Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Warren Wiersbe highlighted this with the statement, “The key to greatness is not found in position or power but in character. We get a throne by paying with our lives, not by praying with our lips. We must identify with Jesus Christ in His service and suffering, for even He could not reach the throne except by way of the cross.”

Leadership in the Father’s Kingdom is Servant leadership. It challenges conventional ideas of authority and redefines greatness. For those who follow Christ, leadership is not about personal gain or control but about serving others with a heart that reflects Christ’s example, humility, gentleness, and godliness.

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© Dr. H 2025