Issue #116, October 16, 2013
Following Jesus’ example of servant leadership is often a paradox. One time Jesus boldly picked up a whip and drove the money changers out of the temple. Then, on another occasion, He humbly washed the feet of His disciples. So what are we to do, wash feet or use a whip? Jesus’ example calls us to balance both of them in what I will refer to as bold humility. In this issue I will introduce the topic and look briefly at the example of Jesus and then in future issues examine other biblical profiles that demonstrate bold humility.
The word “servant” too often is misunderstood to mean weakness and lack of assertiveness. Servants are expected to do what others want. Leaders who understand service in this way genuinely love others and have a heart of gold and are ready to do whatever is asked. But they don’t have the courage required to lead with boldness and not much happens as a result. This may be service, but it is not leadership!
Other leaders succeed in being bold as lions. Nothing stops them. They are courageous world changers, filled with vision and action. But no one would describe them as humble!
The power of Jesus’ leadership came in the way He combined these two elements. No one dare accuse Jesus of being a weak leader. Yet, His humility is just as evident. His actions were strong; His heart was tender. His examples of chasing out the moneychangers (John 2) and washing the feet of the disciples (John 13) help us understand two principles of servant leadership.
Boldness requires a servant leader to demonstrate passionate power.
When Jesus observed what was happening in the temple, He was justifiably upset. What was happening was an affront to God’s plan and purpose for His people. He was consumed with zeal for His Father’s house and it led to bold action. His passionate boldness came from His conviction that He was called by God to make a difference in His world. It took tremendous courage for Jesus to confront the existing powers in place at the temple. He demonstrated passion for a cause that every servant leader should imitate. The world desperately needs leaders who have the courage and passion to confront wrong and make it right. You can be a servant without passion, but you cannot be a leader without courage.
Humility enables a servant leader to demonstrate release of power.
The account of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples demonstrates a willing release of power. Jesus took off his outer robe and in doing so laid aside all privilege and power which He had as the leader of the group. He stooped to do the literal work of a servant as he cleaned their dirty feet. His humility came from the recognition that God’s call on His life was not about Himself, it was for the purposes of the Father. All servant leaders are called to lay down their rights and privileges for God’s purposes. They recognize the power given to them is not their own or for themselves, so they can lay it down and perform the lowest of tasks.
Many leaders struggle to find a balance between being bold and humble. Jesus models the way as He led with astounding boldness and amazing humility. He was comfortable exercising power and authority and at ease to lay it down. May we become more like Him in our leadership at home, in our work and in our church!
For further reflection and discussion:
- What is the most courageous action I have taken in my leadership? From what motivation did this action come? Was it focused on my own ambitions or God’s glory?
- How does my calling from God provide courage to act?
- Is there something in my leadership about which I have a powerful passion? If so, how do I express it? If not, what is the result of this lack?
- When have I recently released power or stepped back from assertive leadership? Was this easy or difficult for me?
- As I reflect on my leadership, am I most often bold or humble? What is the result of this on those I lead? What steps do I need to take to bring a healthy balance to these two areas?