SERVANT LEADERSHIP (PART ONE)

“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,” 

(Matthew 20:26, NASB).

Worldly leadership is primarily about power, prestige, and control, whereas Christ-like leadership is about meekness, humility, and servant hood. The first model of leadership has to do with having others serve us, while the second model of leadership has to do with us serving others. This is the fundamental difference between man’s leadership as opposed to God’s model for leadership. (see Mark 9:35; 10:44; Luke 22:25-27). Yet, how many leaders in local Churches today follow the worldly model of leadership as opposed to godly leadership? How many leaders prefer to be served, instead of serving others? The Lord Jesus Christ is Lord of all, yet He stated this, “..the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt. 20:28). Again, Jesus says, “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” (Luke 22:27, NASB). The Lord Jesus did not seek a position of power in leadership. He didn’t need to, for that was already evident in His words and actions. What the Lord’s disciples needed to understand as well as us is that to be a chief leader among your fellow saints, you must be the chiefest servant among those who serve. One must have a servant’s heart before he can be a leader among his fellow Christians. Both serving and leading go hand in hand. You lead by serving and by serving you lead by example. This teaches Jesus model of servant leadership.

Dear Lord Jesus, we often desire the worldly model of leadership that gives us positions of power and prestige, while we often fall short in serving others in a godly manner. Lord forgive us of this sin, and grant unto us a spirit of humility to serve others in leadership, instead of expecting others to serve us. It is in leading by example that others get inspired to want to serve others. In Christ name I pray, Amen.