Leaders as servants?
The servant leader
The article Servant leader introduces a leadership style that has been around thousands of years in a contemporary way. The authors of The Servant leader assert current established forms of leadership are antiquated for the 21st century work force, in which leadership is most effective when establishment occurs in relation to the situation and the individual with the greatest expertise (Jones, 2004).The article supports management leading through role modeling, empowering others, and promoting an atmosphere of trust and respect. The authors suggest servant style leadership promotes leadership responsibilities, in everyone thus increasing accountability, personal responsibility and in turn creates a better organization. Servant leadership places a strong emphasis on doing, teaching, and responding to the deep significant needs of the culture (Jones, 2004).
The article on Servant leadership has some very important characteristics of the servant leadership of Christ, but one profound aspect is missing throughout the article, the mention of Jesus Christ. Many great servant leaders have existed in history but none had the transforming power of Jesus. The leadership that Jesus exhibited on this earth began within each individual. The article states that honesty, respect, influence, and support are necessary for servant leadership to be transformational to organizations. All these qualities require a person to have their personal will and desires in the correct place (Towns, 2007). This can only happen with the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal savior. The article fails to tell the individual how this transformation is to take place. Without having absolute truth the Bible, it is impossible for any one person or organization to serve others in a manner that would be beneficial to all. Without
knowledge of the Bible the individual lacks an accurate interpretation of integrity, responsibility, and accountability. The Bible give instructions on living correctly with others, there is no room for personal interpretation (Towns, 2007).
When understanding the leadership of Christ evaluating his life is necessary. The following questions help to put Jesus life and work into perspective. What would Jesus life and ministry look like if he did not serve others during his time on earth? How would it change his work and purpose on earth? Jesus leadership style is very different from any existing form of leadership in the fact, Jesus leadership style views, each individual from a point of strength rather than weakness. Jesus focuses more on building the individuals strengths rather than improving weakness (Towns, 2007). Through weakness, the greatness of God becomes apparent, “My power in made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Jesus not only wanted the hands of his followers but their hearts to fulfill a greater purpose then themselves. Jesus came to this earth and changed the world and culture through his service to others (Towns, 2007). Servant leadership calls for a much different approach then what common leadership theory suggests brings about leaders. Common leadership theory suggests, leaders emerge in response to a need and others passively follow (Jones, 2004).The leadership of Christ calls his followers to action. “ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit ( Mathew 28, 18- 20).
Servant leadership based on the teachings of Jesus is a call for every individual through service and character to bring about a higher purpose then themselves. A servant leader based on the teachings of Jesus focuses on demonstrating a genuine concern for people through tenderly serving them and modeling the Sprit of Christ. The passion and aspiration of the servant leader is
committed to preparing and liberating others to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives (Towns, 2007). The article on servant leadership talks about helping others reach their goals but, that can lead everyone in many directions and cause the fall of an organization (Jones, 2004). Jesus empowers people to reach their goals by leading them towards a common purpose and vision, the service and worship of God. This makes the servant leadership discussed in the article and traditional power based models which have individuals leading through intimidation, charisma, social connection, and achievement, very different then the leadership of Christ (Jones, 2004). Servant leadership calls for leadership based on humility and service to others. Values and beliefs drive behaviors and create realities; the core of servant leadership based on the teaching of Jesus, begins with the heart and mind of each individual (Towns, 2007).
Jesus gave a profound example of servant leadership in the very last hours of his life. In John 13 Jesus washed his disciple’s feet just hours before His crucifixion. Through love, service, sacrifice, and integrity the Son of Man not only change the belief system of those around him, but of a significant amount of the world. He accomplished this through love and service. An operational definition of Love is necessary in the understanding of what the Bible says love is, “giving to others basic needs without having as my motive personal reward (1 Corinthians). Without action and selflessness, love does not exist and servant leadership based on the leadership model given to us by Christ is impossible. True servant leadership requires Christ in the equation. Within each individual sphere of influence, they have the potential and responsibility to empower, as well as assist others through service, integrity, and trust to achieve their potential. A leaders greatest words are never spoken they are lived (Towns, 2007).
References
Jones, H. ,& Lioba,I. (2004). The servant leader. Nursing management,
11(3), 20-24. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy
Towns, E. (2007). Core Christianity. Chattanooga: AMG .
The article Servant leader introduces a leadership style that has been around thousands of years in a contemporary way. The authors of The Servant leader assert current established forms of leadership are antiquated for the 21st century work force, in which leadership is most effective when establishment occurs in relation to the situation and the individual with the greatest expertise (Jones, 2004).The article supports management leading through role modeling, empowering others, and promoting an atmosphere of trust and respect. The authors suggest servant style leadership promotes leadership responsibilities, in everyone thus increasing accountability, personal responsibility and in turn creates a better organization. Servant leadership places a strong emphasis on doing, teaching, and responding to the deep significant needs of the culture (Jones, 2004).
The article on Servant leadership has some very important characteristics of the servant leadership of Christ, but one profound aspect is missing throughout the article, the mention of Jesus Christ. Many great servant leaders have existed in history but none had the transforming power of Jesus. The leadership that Jesus exhibited on this earth began within each individual. The article states that honesty, respect, influence, and support are necessary for servant leadership to be transformational to organizations. All these qualities require a person to have their personal will and desires in the correct place (Towns, 2007). This can only happen with the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal savior. The article fails to tell the individual how this transformation is to take place. Without having absolute truth the Bible, it is impossible for any one person or organization to serve others in a manner that would be beneficial to all. Without
knowledge of the Bible the individual lacks an accurate interpretation of integrity, responsibility, and accountability. The Bible give instructions on living correctly with others, there is no room for personal interpretation (Towns, 2007).
When understanding the leadership of Christ evaluating his life is necessary. The following questions help to put Jesus life and work into perspective. What would Jesus life and ministry look like if he did not serve others during his time on earth? How would it change his work and purpose on earth? Jesus leadership style is very different from any existing form of leadership in the fact, Jesus leadership style views, each individual from a point of strength rather than weakness. Jesus focuses more on building the individuals strengths rather than improving weakness (Towns, 2007). Through weakness, the greatness of God becomes apparent, “My power in made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Jesus not only wanted the hands of his followers but their hearts to fulfill a greater purpose then themselves. Jesus came to this earth and changed the world and culture through his service to others (Towns, 2007). Servant leadership calls for a much different approach then what common leadership theory suggests brings about leaders. Common leadership theory suggests, leaders emerge in response to a need and others passively follow (Jones, 2004).The leadership of Christ calls his followers to action. “ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit ( Mathew 28, 18- 20).
Servant leadership based on the teachings of Jesus is a call for every individual through service and character to bring about a higher purpose then themselves. A servant leader based on the teachings of Jesus focuses on demonstrating a genuine concern for people through tenderly serving them and modeling the Sprit of Christ. The passion and aspiration of the servant leader is
committed to preparing and liberating others to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives (Towns, 2007). The article on servant leadership talks about helping others reach their goals but, that can lead everyone in many directions and cause the fall of an organization (Jones, 2004). Jesus empowers people to reach their goals by leading them towards a common purpose and vision, the service and worship of God. This makes the servant leadership discussed in the article and traditional power based models which have individuals leading through intimidation, charisma, social connection, and achievement, very different then the leadership of Christ (Jones, 2004). Servant leadership calls for leadership based on humility and service to others. Values and beliefs drive behaviors and create realities; the core of servant leadership based on the teaching of Jesus, begins with the heart and mind of each individual (Towns, 2007).
Jesus gave a profound example of servant leadership in the very last hours of his life. In John 13 Jesus washed his disciple’s feet just hours before His crucifixion. Through love, service, sacrifice, and integrity the Son of Man not only change the belief system of those around him, but of a significant amount of the world. He accomplished this through love and service. An operational definition of Love is necessary in the understanding of what the Bible says love is, “giving to others basic needs without having as my motive personal reward (1 Corinthians). Without action and selflessness, love does not exist and servant leadership based on the leadership model given to us by Christ is impossible. True servant leadership requires Christ in the equation. Within each individual sphere of influence, they have the potential and responsibility to empower, as well as assist others through service, integrity, and trust to achieve their potential. A leaders greatest words are never spoken they are lived (Towns, 2007).
References
Jones, H. ,& Lioba,I. (2004). The servant leader. Nursing management,
11(3), 20-24. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy
Towns, E. (2007). Core Christianity. Chattanooga: AMG .
