Biblical Models of Servant Leadership
CHAPTER TWO
THE NEED: BIBILICAL MODELS OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Introduction
There are basic attitudes which we see in the lives of those whom God called to servant leadership in the Bible. These include a serving attitude where the leader sees his[1] primary responsibility to those whom he leads as to serve and develop them to fulfill their God-given mandate. The leader serves by putting on a redeeming attitude, like Moses and Joshua. In other words he takes responsibility for those he leads, recognizing needs and reaching out to meet those needs rather than positioning himself for power and prestige. We see these virtues demonstrated by Jesus. His life was completely lived to serve the course of the Father through reaching out to the disciples. He trained and gave them confidence to move into leadership and do even greater tasks (John 14:12-14). This chapter takes a look at a few Biblical models in the enterprise of servant leadership considering the principles they used. The Old Testament identifies two main servants of the Lord: Israel and the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49; 50; 52:13f; 53). God showed that to be named a servant is to be recognized as one whom God has shaped with special care and for whom God is personally committed. We see both these themes in Isaiah 44:1-2. As we look at the leaders God called and used, it becomes evident that a covenant relationship was involved. It is this same attitude we see in Jesus who Himself was the greatest Servant of all. For Jesus, “leaders are servants who stoop to minister from the servant’s position and bring cleansing to the body of our Lord.”[2]
1. Moses and Joshua: The Preparation of Servant Leadership
Preparation is considered an important aspect of any endeavor in order for the fulfillment of a successful enterprise; in particular, the business of leadership built upon principles of servant leadership. Jesus referred to it as “counting the cost,” or the “taking up of
THE NEED: BIBILICAL MODELS OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Introduction
There are basic attitudes which we see in the lives of those whom God called to servant leadership in the Bible. These include a serving attitude where the leader sees his[1] primary responsibility to those whom he leads as to serve and develop them to fulfill their God-given mandate. The leader serves by putting on a redeeming attitude, like Moses and Joshua. In other words he takes responsibility for those he leads, recognizing needs and reaching out to meet those needs rather than positioning himself for power and prestige. We see these virtues demonstrated by Jesus. His life was completely lived to serve the course of the Father through reaching out to the disciples. He trained and gave them confidence to move into leadership and do even greater tasks (John 14:12-14). This chapter takes a look at a few Biblical models in the enterprise of servant leadership considering the principles they used. The Old Testament identifies two main servants of the Lord: Israel and the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49; 50; 52:13f; 53). God showed that to be named a servant is to be recognized as one whom God has shaped with special care and for whom God is personally committed. We see both these themes in Isaiah 44:1-2. As we look at the leaders God called and used, it becomes evident that a covenant relationship was involved. It is this same attitude we see in Jesus who Himself was the greatest Servant of all. For Jesus, “leaders are servants who stoop to minister from the servant’s position and bring cleansing to the body of our Lord.”[2]
1. Moses and Joshua: The Preparation of Servant Leadership
Preparation is considered an important aspect of any endeavor in order for the fulfillment of a successful enterprise; in particular, the business of leadership built upon principles of servant leadership. Jesus referred to it as “counting the cost,” or the “taking up of