Serving is the Job

Leading The Flock

When it comes to leading the flock people can choose to take on leadership positions for a variety of reasons. Some people get in to a leadership position out of selfish drives or at least focused more on ones self and not other we are leading. Others may take on leadership roles due to experiences we’ve had in the past, which lead us to be asked to take on a leadership role. There are others who have positions of leadership thrown upon them simply because someone needs to take the leadership role. The reason we get into a leadership role may vary, but there is a critical part of leadership many leaders forget or overlook, especially in Christian leadership. Every Christian leader needs to keep a servants heart and attitude in their leading.

Jesus

Jesus, as Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:1-11 that all Christians need to follow Christ’s example and live lives of humility and service to the needs of others. Jesus demonstrated a servant-leadership in all that he did in his ministry:

• He was willing to go to places others wouldn’t go. Jesus spent time with the sinners of the world in order to show them the hope of the Gospel. He talked to the poor and the sick. Sadly, in a time when many ministers have professionalized the work they have stopped being willing to go where people are. They don’t visit the sick, those in prison, those in shelters, or even those working the harder jobs in life. For many ministry has become about office hours and unavailability instead of serving physical and emotional needs in order to show Jesus to the world around us.
• He taught by his example of Servanthood He knelt before Peter on the night before he went to the cross and washed the disciples feet. He showed by his example that no one is above serving others. He allowed the lepers and sick to touch him, and in a world where being unclean could keep you from worship and common society this was a big change.
• He taught us to lift others above ourselves he taught us the last shall be first and those desiring first or places of importance will be put last.

There are some who claim they serve God who are more worried about building earthly kingdoms of big churches, fancy offices, and comfortable living. They may even do a few nice deeds to make themselves feel good about themselves. Yet, they may be missing the point that Jesus calls us to servanthood to others.

We should ask ourselves how we are doing at being servant leaders?

Are we following Christ’s example in serving others?

Are there areas where we are living more for self?

Where is Christ wanting us to grow today?