Humble Servant Leadership

I have spent a number of years studying leadership. Informally early on, but eventually in a formal setting while obtaining my Doctor of Ministry in Leadership. For some reason leadership has always been an art that has intrigued me. It is interesting to see the number of philosophies and approaches different people use and all of them successful to some extent. If you are someone who examines these things, you will be intrigued by Jesus’ take. Jesus said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12).

The immediate question we ask may well be, “how in the world can I lead if I take the role of servant and how is humility going to help me?” May suggest four characteristics that will help us to be strong leaders while at the same time embodying what Christ has called us to be.

Be Clear

Know what you are trying to accomplish. Know where you are trying to go. Nothing drives leadership more effectively and brings more clarity than having a defined goal. When we have an agreed upon destination it makes the conversation of how to get there a lot easier. A defined destination also makes it easier to hear criticism with humility as the overall vision is not challenged, just the means by which we will achieve it.

Be Empathetic

There will be those around us who may not agree with the stated goal. This could be true for a number of reasons; it may be that they long for simpler better days, it may that their heart is just not there yet, and it may be that they simply do not understand the vision. Whatever the case, it cost us little to listen with an empathetic ear, to sense what they are feeling, and do our best to make the goal and reasoning clear. The vision is not threatened by taking time to listen.

Be Teachable

No one has reached the point where they have nothing left to learn. We may need to learn about methods. It may be that we need to learn about the history of our organization. It may be that we need to learn about the past successes and failures others have experienced. Again, once the goal is clear, all these things are simply helping us to get there. There is no reason to be arrogant and unteachable.

Be Resolute

The determination to see the vision fulfilled or the goal achieved will be of the utmost importance. There will be good days and bad days. There will be days that a lot is accomplished and there will be days that little is accomplished. There will be days when you feel you took two steps forward and there will be days that you feel you took three steps back. The point of it all is that we must be determined to do what we feel God has called us to do. When everyone else wants to give up and abandon ship, we must press on.

Leadership is never easy. It seems that there are no two situations that call for the exact same style or approach. However, if we develop some guiding principles will do well. I know of no better place to look for such principles than to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Looking for Answers

We have been reminded again in recent days of what a mixed up world in which we live. Sadly, we seem to value life less and less. We see arguments over which lives matter, which lives matter more, and which lives matter at this juncture. Further, we see arguments over which words we use and how we use them. In order to hash these things out we turn to social media where we can drop verbal bombs with little consideration of the feelings of others or the impact of our words. It is always easier to hide behind a key board than it is to look someone in the face.

I would not try to dissect what is going on in our world for a million dollars. I don’t understand it. I can’t understand it. I am an educated, middle class white man who has never experienced what others from various minority groups have. Every encounter I have ever had with police has been pleasant; except for one officer with a particularly bad attitude in Wharton, TX (funny story for another time, but I almost went to jail).

Yesterday I met with a group of local pastors and faith leaders. It was a representative group of our community. Different races, denominations, and even different faiths. I expect that this group will continue to grow as we meet in the future, thus furthering the diversity of the group. We met to talk…that’s all. We are not even sure what the group will be, we only wanted to start a conversation. I’m not sure it will help or fix anything, but we are trying.

As I stated, I have more questions than I do answers. I have no solutions to offer and no plan for reconciliation. However, I did read this in my morning Bible reading, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:37-40). I’m not sure we can improve upon what our Lord has commanded. If we can love our God and love our neighbor, at least it is a start.

Dare to Obey

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul,

in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations

around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they

perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

Nehemiah 6:15-16

Is there anything more exciting than seeing God move in a powerful way to accomplish what otherwise seemed impossible? To see God step in and do on our behalf what we could not do on our own creates a sense of awe and humility all at once. This was the very experience of Nehemiah and the people he served with.

Nehemiah had set his mind to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Others had tried before him and failed. Even now, some thought Nehemiah had lost his mind and others made it their life purpose to oppose him. However, the task that Nehemiah had set his mind to was one to which God had clearly called him. With this clear sense of calling, Nehemiah set about the task of rebuilding.

A quick read of the book of Nehemiah reveals that he faced all sorts of obstacles. He had to gather resources, recruit people, deal with opposition, and keep the construction project moving forward in general. There was plenty of opportunity for Nehemiah to get tired and frustrated. However, Nehemiah kept pressing on while often turning to prayer. Nehemiah’s persistence and dependence on the Lord paid off. He tells us that, “the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days” (Nehemiah 6:15). Not only did Nehemiah finish the project, he did it in an amount of time that no one thought possible. In fact, he goes on to say, “when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God” (Nehemiah 6:16).

It is my heart felt conviction that any follower of Christ has a call on his/her life. God has a purpose for you. However, rarely is that purpose easy to accomplish. God’s call is intended to shape us and form us. Development of an individual does not take place in ease. It is through the challenges and struggles that we learn to depend on God. As you explore God’s call on your life, know that like Nehemiah, you will have to lean on the Lord. However, as you do, God will bring you through. In the end, your perseverance and God’s faithfulness will become your testimony to others. Dare to step out in faith as Nehemiah did.