Issue #178, April 6, 2016
John the Baptist did a great job of calling and empowering a team around him. But his true greatness as a servant leader is found in the way he released leaders. Many leaders are able to raise teams; few are willing to release them! But John released his team. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus (John 1:29-37). John released his disciples! John saw three things that freed him to release leaders and shows all servant leaders how to let go!
John saw his mission with precision.
“the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” John knew why he was a leader. It was not about his gifting and calling; it was far greater than that. He was called to reveal Jesus to others. Part of that calling was to build a team around him, and he did it well. But he understood that his mission was a part of a greater purpose. So, he could release his disciples. His mission was crystal-clear. It is easy along the way to lose the focus of our mission. We might begin with a call to exalt Christ in our church, our business, or our profession. But with time, we begin to focus on the tasks and outcomes more than the central mission. When we focus more on our own team than the overall mission we will not release leaders to go elsewhere. Servant leaders are passionate about their vision but recognize that it is only significant as a part of a bigger mission. They understand that the Great Commission will not be fulfilled until leaders release leaders.
John saw his men with perspective.
John was there with “two of his disciples.” Every leader loves to stand with “their team.” It feels good to see the way they have developed and the maturity in their lives. We all like to introduce “our” team. But John saw his leaders in a different light. He saw them as men who were given to him for a time to shape and mold. He invested heavily in their lives and they were precious to him. But he knew that they were not ‘his’ disciples. Ultimately they belonged to Jesus. As the team leader, John was only a steward of these men for a time. There was also a time to release them. This perspective allowed John to let them go, and they joined Jesus’ leadership team. He considered it an honor to release to Jesus’ team men that he had been able to shape and prepare for that role. Servant leaders love their leaders dearly, but hold them loosely. Servant leaders see their team, not as ‘theirs’ but as ‘His.’
John saw his master with passion.
John saw Jesus and said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” He recognized that although Jesus was younger, He was present as someone greater. John was great, but Jesus was the master. John’s passion for Jesus enabled him to release his disciples. One glimpse of Jesus is enough to change our perspective about “our” team and our desire to be in charge. Leaders love to lead, but when servant leaders fully see who Jesus is, they humbly acknowledge that He is in charge.
Servant leaders build teams with confidence and skill but, like John, freely release them when Jesus needs them on someone else’s team.
For further reflection and discussion:
- How does my mission fit into the larger picture of God’s mission in the world? In what way has God positioned me to reveal Jesus to others? How well do I keep this in perspective when I think about my team?
- Do I obtain a sense of significance by having a team I call my own? What does this say about my heart? What difference would it make for me to see my team as really belonging to Jesus and available for His purposes?
- Do I see Jesus or myself as the master of my team? In what ways does this impact how I lead?
- How do I know when Jesus is calling one of ‘my’ team to another work? Am I open to hearing or seeing the signs of His call? Is there someone now that needs to be released?
- In the past, when team members have left my team, how did I release them? After reflecting on John’s willingness to release leaders, are there steps I should take to strengthen any of these relationships?