Unit 7. Practicing Servant Leadership–A Pattern

During recent years I have continued a journey toward servant leadership–not unlike the journey set out in these study units. It’s really not a new journey but retracing old and favorite paths of service to Christ. I’m not there yet; my working definition (meaning “draft”) is stated as:

Practicing servant leadership in Christian ministry is self-giving service with others after the pattern of Christ through example and persuasion in order to achieve extraordinary commitment and contributions toward mutually shared Kingdom goals. (L.E.-1995 and since)

Visuals, definitions, concepts, the sage instruction of a pioneer like Greenleaf, even Holy Scripture–all of these fall short of the mark if you and I do not get them down into “practicing servant leadership” consistently. Let’s work on it.

Activity 7: (Action Plan)

What is your working definition or description of practicing servant leadership? If you were to lead a conference on “Practicing Servant Leadership,” what would your major points be? The two goals of this unit are:

• For you to have enough specific information for you to finish sketching your pattern of servant leadership.
• For you to identify specific application in your leadership and service.

Years ago I started with Warren Bennis’ oft-quoted maxim:

“Efficiency is doing things right”;
“Effectiveness is doing the right things.”

The servant leadership graphic on the next page intends to portray the practice of servant leadership as five windows of opportunity–of light and fresh air. The largest window, encompassing all else, is empowering leadership and the smallest, supporting all else, is efficiency. All five practices working together reflect a synergy that is true to the essence of the servant as leader.

1) Empowered Leadership: “Doing the right things in His power”

• Christ is the ‘big picture,” the largest window of opportunity to all other elements of servant leadership. “He is the starter and finisher of our faith … “ (see Heb. 12:1-2, Commentary).
• His abiding presence in our lives fashions who we are as disciples/followers (see John 15:9, Commentary).
• He set the ideal pattern of servant leadership in Christian ministry (see 1 John 2:6). “What would Jesus Do?” is more than a bracelet, it is an energizing standard.
• His power energizes us for the tasks and functions of ministry (see John 15:5).

2) Ethical Leadership: “Doing the right things for the right reasons”

• Servant leadership does not just pursue achievements, or results, or position, or recognition–by any means.
• Leadership should seek and follow the biblical, ethical mandates given in Holy Scripture.
• Theology should inform and guide our practice. rather than our practice or bias creating our theology.
• Authentic “lived-in” character is the fabric of servant first leadership.

3) Enabling Leadership: “Doing the right things together”

• Leadership is within the company of others, not a solo performance.
• Call this the “equipping ministry” of Ephesians, chapter 4, if you will.
• “Servants as leaders” practice open communication, mutual respect, and common good.
• Leadership is a trusting, team relationship first, before it is achievement.

4) Effective Leadership: “Doing the rights things on purpose”

• Servant leaders establish kingdom mission and direction with the church body, not for its members.
• Vision and planning become regular contributions.
• The goals of the organization and its members should be mutually beneficial.
• Think effectiveness with people, efficiency with things and methods. (Covey)

5) Efficient Leadership: “Doing the rights things in the right way”

• The servant leader is consistently competent in doing work–whatever it is.
• Most of us have specific tasks and functions requiring skills to perform.
• Discover, develop, and utilize those skills essential to your role and assignment.
• Competence in ministry is one of the critical ways we build trust.

Back to Unit 6/Next to Unit 8/Back to Principles: Exploring the Journey