Issue #40, September 22, 2010
Leadership Nuggets from Ephesians, #4
Servant leaders are uniquely gifted to lead in ways that produce results. Paul recognizes the power of leaders who use their gifts for God’s glory when he says, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13). In this passage Paul lists several different leadership roles and provides insight into how God planned for servant leaders to function.
Servant leaders recognize the source of their gift.
“It was he who gave….” While they take seriously the responsibility to develop their leadership abilities to their highest potential servant leaders recognize that their gift of leadership is not from their own training or intelligence; it is a sacred gift from God to be used for Him and His purposes.
To think about: Do I see my leadership as a result of my own effort or as a sacred gift from God?
Servant leaders distinguish the gift of leadership and service.
“To prepare God’s people for works of service…” Paul lists two very different roles, doing works of service and preparing, or equipping, the workers. Leadership is equipping the worker, not simply doing the work. Many servant leaders falter on this point. They are called to serve and have developed competence in serving skillfully. They have a servant’s heart, and it is easier to keep doing the work than to make the effort to train others to do it well. Pride and insecurity make it even more difficult for some leaders to stop doing the work. But Paul understood that servant leaders are gifted to lead. They realize that the best way they can serve their organization is to equip everyone to do their part in the group. If leaders fail to equip, the workers will not do the acts of serving and God’s vision will never be accomplished. Followers need servant leaders who understand their unique call to provide leadership.
To think about: What percentage of my time is spent equipping others to work and what percentage am I actually doing the work?
Servant leaders use their gift to release growth.
“…so that the body of Christ may be built up…” The combination of leaders who equip and followers who are busy serving brings growth to the church, school, business or any other organization. Paul asserts that it builds up the body, promotes unity, and defines maturity. The reverse is also true. When leaders fail to use their gift to equip others, organizational growth will be limited.
To think about: Does my leadership release the growth potential of my organization?
You are gifted by God to lead, don’t neglect the opportunity to build and equip followers for service. Take some time today to equip one of your followers for a specific task.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Have I acknowledged God’s gift in my life to lead others? In what way does my recognition, or lack of it, affect my leadership?
- How effective am I as an equipper of others? How seriously have I taken my call to equip others to serve?
- Some leaders who are not followers of Jesus have learned to equip others and the results in their organizations are positive. What is the difference between their motivation and that of a servant leader?
- How is equipping others an act of serving? What does it say about the value of all persons?
- How does my organizational culture reflect the value of equipping? Are there ways that we can improve?