SERVANTHOOD-THE CORE VALUE OF LEADERSHIP PART 2

SERVANTHOOD-THE CORE VALUE OF LEADERSHIP PART 2

Earlier in this article, we were made to understand the concept of Servanthood as it pertains to Leadership. In a good leader is the trait of service. If we want to be effective as leaders, then we must pick up the baton of service-hood. But today, we will be looking at a life example. From before, we looked at the life of apostle Paul but today, we will look at Christ himself, a great example. From the pilot verse (Mark 10:42-44), we see how Jesus was admonishing his people (Mark 10:44…and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all). 

How then was Jesus a servant? The bible in the book of Philippians 2:7 says “but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men). From our knowledge of the scripture, we know Christ was sent to this world to lead a reconciliation back unto the father but in doing this, he had to first become a servant. Verse 9 says “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name”; Christ excelled in that which He came to do on this earth because He took upon himself the servant mentality. If I am to lead this people out of captivity, then I have to learn of them first; to know that which they know then influence on them that which they do not know. A leader who wants to be successful will first look at the people under him as it pertains to all that they know before effecting changes in the things they do not know. The bible says while Jesus was growing up, he began attending the synagogues, listening to the teachings of others, understanding from their views. Having had an understanding that he was there to lead the people; Why didn’t he just start with that? NO, he had to first be taught of them. So, as leaders we ought also to be teachable.  It’s that servant mentality in us that makes us teachable. It was recorded in the Bible; while Jesus was on this service journey or while he was being teachable, that was where he found fulfilment. The Bible says in Luke 4:17 paraphrased-and he was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written concerning him…), then came his fulfilment. Verse 21 says “and he began to say to them, Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”. 

Jesus Christ is the greatest leader that ever lived and he wasn’t just a leader, he was a teacher of leaders-teaching them the path of service as he had shown. We see in the pilot bible verse from verse 35; two of his disciples came to see him, to ask a request from him that he will show them what it means to be a leader; then verse 44 paraphrased says, he that wants to lead or be great must first be a servant. He was not just a servant but he was a fisher of servants, a maker of servants. This is the virtue every leader must possess in order to be effective in whatever positions we hold. Jesus taught his disciples on how to be great in the kingdom by being a servant. If Jesus, the bridegroom, the son of God could take the form of a servant, then we as his children, his followers, should also learn of him.

The concepts of servanthood and leadership together would seem to be a paradox but these two go together as Christ showed us. The ultimate form of leadership is something I term Servant-leadership. As a leader, you are a servant to the people you lead. If then, we must possess qualities that help us stand out in this role of servant-hood. It is paramount for every leader to discover his gifts, talent and purpose to serve it to his generation or else he will be ruling not leading. We are not great by the number of people who serve under us but by the people we are privileged to have served. Leadership has more to do with releasing yourself and deploying yourself than employing or enforcing. Servant-leadership is serving your gift at every opportunity. It is serving yourself to the world; self-distribution to our generation. Servant-leadership is distributing one’s self.

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