Becoming a Servant LeaderSample

Becoming A Servant Leader

How do we become servant leaders?

The key is to be filled with the love of God so that out of the overflow of this love, we can serve others. If we are not filled with God’s love, then we will probably not even be concerned for others. In John 13:1 we read,

"Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."

It was out of his love for them that Jesus was able to take on the role of a servant and wash the feet of his disciples. Later, he told the disciples,

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

If we learn to serve one another like doing things that are not expected from us, then we will show to the world that we are true disciples of Christ.

We need to put the interests of others above our own. Like Jesus mentoring his disciples, leaders should develop and empower others to lead. From the beginning he knew he could not do it all alone, neither did he intended to. He prayed overnight in selecting the twelve men he would train and commission to continue his mission. And this is what he did for the next few years until he departed.

The apostle Paul says,

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Phil. 2:3-4)

We should care for others, not just use people to accomplish our goals. Authenticity in caring as leaders includes attending to what could affect them in their performance at work and in life.

We look at others as partners, not tools.

Have you been putting the interests of others above yours?

Think of a specific person in your sphere of relationships (family, work, school, neighborhood) and commit to pray and do something to consider their interests first, to listen to their pressing concerns and to genuinely care for their growth, just like Jesus did to His disciples.