Are you a servant leader? (77-5)
Throughout the book of Judges, during the 200 years when Israel was without a central leader, God raised up a leader during their most intense moments of need. During the next days as we study the leadership traits of these leaders (Judges), there is one trait that each of them had in common. God always uses individuals who are servant leaders. Read Matthew 20:25-28.
A leader must never forget that God calls them to serve. If it is true that “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” then every leader should see themselves as a servant leader.
The Old Testament uses several terms that we translate as servant. An effective leader can learn plenty from these descriptions of a servant:
- Ebed: a love-slave or servant. This term describes someone who is at the complete disposal of another. Likewise, leaders must be at the disposal of the Lord and their people.
- Abad: one who gives up personal rights in order to work in the fields or tabernacle. In a similar way, leaders must sacrifice their rights and stay surrendered to the cause.
- Sakyir: a hired servant who works for pay, by day or by year. A leader must avoid the attitude of a “paid professional.” Right after a verse that tells of a hired shepherd running away when he saw a wolf coming, Jesus said in John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – I lay down my life for the sheep.” Never fall into the trap of being a paid professional leader that forgets their role as a servant.
- Sharath: someone who will perform menial tasks to accomplish an overall goal. If Jesus could wash the feet of His disciples to get a point across, surely we don’t want to miss the point in our leadership. Leaders must do whatever it takes to serve the mission.
Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
