Leaders love results! They measure progress, celebrate wins and dream of seeing their vision become reality. But serving leaders learn that fruit comes, not from their striving, but because of their intimate relationship with Jesus.  Consider His words to the disciples:

⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned (John 15:4-5, NIV).

Jesus calls His disciples to produce results. He desires fruit. But He teaches that the fruit will come only through intimacy.

Intimate leaders are fruitful when they focus on relationship. 

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you…If you do not remain in me you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers…” Jesus begins and ends these verses on fruitfulness with a reminder that fruit comes from remaining or abiding in Him. He calls His disciples to focus on their relationship with Him above all else. Where there is a strong relationship with Him, there will be fruitful results. Where that relationship does not exist only dead wood results.

Some leaders focus on the tasks at hand and focus on producing fruit. They focus on the results instead of the relationship. But serving leaders see their task as strengthening their relationship with Jesus. When they focus on the relationship the fruit will come naturally.

Intimate leaders are fruitful when they acknowledge their inadequacy. 

“No branch can bear fruit by itself…apart from me you can do nothing.” These are tough words for an action-oriented leader used to producing results by their own efforts. But Jesus calls us to first acknowledge that without Him, we cannot produce the kind of fruit He desires. He doesn’t say we’ll produce less without Him—He says we’ll produce nothing without Him! Without intimacy we may work like the disciples trying to catch fish the whole night without results (see John 21:1-6). But as we remain in an intimate relationship with Jesus, fruit is produced from our lives.

Some leaders refuse to acknowledge that they need help. Others are willing to admit they need some help. But serving leaders acknowledge that in themselves they are inadequate to produce anything of lasting value.

Intimate leaders are fruitful when they remain in Jesus.  

“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…” Jesus teaches that our fruitfulness as leaders will be in direct proportion to our continued intimacy with Him. It is a relationship that goes both ways, the leader remains in Jesus and Jesus remains in the leader. It is so easy to think that to be fruitful we need to work harder and do more; but our fruitfulness will only increase as we learn to remain in Jesus. This is much more than a one time commitment to follow Him; it is a commitment to remain with Him through all the challenges of our leadership journey.

Some leaders start well, knowing that they have much to learn and areas that need improvement. But with time, they become more self-reliant and less intimate with Jesus. But serving leaders remain in a strong intimate relationship with Him realizing that intimacy produces eternal fruit. Without it, all their efforts fade away.  

For further reflection and discussion:

• As I reflect on my own leadership regarding how much my life yields fruit for Jesus, how would I rate myself on a scale of 1 to 10?      What blocks me from greater fruitfulness?
• What steps can I take to strengthen my relationship with Jesus on a daily basis? How might this strengthen my leadership?
• Do I act in ways that indicate that I am capable of all that is needed in my leadership?  In what ways is Jesus inviting me to acknowledge my inadequacy?  
• In what ways am I tempted to produce fruit (results) without intimacy? What is the result in my leadership?
• After reflecting on these questions, read the entire chapter, John 15. What additional insights do I find in this chapter about how my intimacy with Jesus shapes my leadership?      

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll examine how intimate leaders bring glory to Jesus.

Leaders influence and impact the realm where they have authority. This may be at home, in their office or department, in the church they lead or in the business they operate. They naturally feel a sense of ownership of that entity, especially if they founded the organization or business*. But serving leaders recognize that the business is not their business. They view their business as reflected in the following scriptures.  

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1, NIV). 

‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty  (Haggai 2:8).  

⁶I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).     

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7).  

Serving leaders see themselves as stewards rather than owners, they surrender ownership of their business/organization and it deeply impacts the way they lead.  

Serving leaders surrender the organization by acknowledging God’s ownership.   

God loudly declares that everything in the world is His! The land and the financial resources all belong to Him. This includes property deeds, bank accounts, property, equipment, etc. God allows His people to use His property for the time that they are alive. Serving leaders recognize that they are simply stewards of what He has entrusted to them. They seek to be responsible and faithful for what they have to manage whether little or much.  

Some leaders see themselves as owners and work in the business to bring profit to themselves. They take full responsibility for all that happens and focus on success as they define it. But serving leaders acknowledge God’s ownership. They are grateful for the opportunity to manage the organization and seek to do it with excellence. But they do not carry the weight and pressure of ownership. They find peace in being stewards.  

Serving leaders surrender the organization by acknowledging others’ contributions.  

Paul openly acknowledged that his success was dependent on the contributions of others. He “planted” but Apollos “watered” and ultimately God was the one “making it grow.”  

Some leaders only recognize their own contributions and tie their effort to the success of the organization. They start early and stay late because they think that without their diligence the organization will fail. But serving leaders acknowledge that success is not the result of one person’s efforts, but the work of a team. They gladly point out the contributions that others are making to the organization’s growth and ultimately give God the credit for the healthy growth they experience.  

Serving leaders surrender the organization by acknowledging their gifts.     

Paul acknowledged that he planted seeds that produced fruit. But he also recognized that the gifts he possessed were a gift from God, not something he produced on his own. Some leaders see themselves as superior to others and take credit for their own gifts. But serving leaders acknowledge their gifts as a blessing from God. They do not minimize how they are gifted, but they also do not take personal credit for that which they have received.   

Remember, it’s not your business! Serving leaders serve their organizations by surrendering ownership.  

For further reflection and discussion: 

• How do I view ‘my’ organization, as mine or God’s? Do I feel pressured to make things happen and tie the success of my organization to my value as a person? How can I daily live in the reality that it all belongs to God?  
• When I reflect on the success experienced in my organization, do I look first at my own contributions, or do I focus on the contributions of others? How can I acknowledge the contributions of my team this week?  
• Reflect on Paul’s words, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” This week, how can I thank those who invested in my own growth and development? (Think about teachers, mentors, persons who opened doors for you, introduced you to significant relationships, those who believed in you before you produced results, etc.)  

Until next time, yours on the journey, 

Jon Byler 

*Note: In this series we’ll use “business” to apply to any type of organization whether for profit or non-profit. The principles of this series apply to for-profit enterprises, non-profits (such as churches or NGO’s) and any other domain of work and service.   

In the next issue, we’ll examine how serving leaders shape the business.  

Daniel’s enemies could find no fault with his excellent job performance or integrity, but they saw his regular prayer as a potential weakness. They appealed to the king’s pride and persuaded him to outlaw Daniel’s prayer. Now he would either die or compromise. Either way, his enemies concluded, they would win. Daniel was again in a crisis. His faith in God and his role with the king seemed to be in direct opposition. With his life on the line, what would he do? Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help (Daniel 6:10-11). In this time of crisis, Daniel chose to lead from his knees and encourages all servant leaders to pray as he did.

He prayed frequently.

Three times a day, Daniel stopped and prayed. Prayer was the central part of Daniel’s day and the source of his strength as a leader. While Daniel’s pattern is not a prescription for all leaders, every leader would do well to begin and end the day with prayer and to pause in the midst of the day for a time to center their life again on the one who calls them to lead. Prayer was the anchor of Daniel’s day. Servant leaders pause frequently to seek God’s direction for their life and leadership.

He prayed consistently.

Daniel prayed “Just as he had done before.” Daniel could easily have rationalized that if he stopped praying for thirty days, God would surely understand! But for Daniel, prayer was not something that he did when it was convenient or when there was a special need; it was his regular habit. His prayer was not only for crisis management; it was an integral part of his life and leadership. Some leaders pray only when there is a crisis; Daniel continued to pray in his crisis. It was his prayer before the crisis that helped him make it through the crisis. It’s not uncommon for leaders to cry out to God when there’s trouble, but servant leaders pray consistently. They allow the regular discipline of prayer to build and strengthen their heart.

He prayed publically.

Daniels prayer life was a private part of his life, but it was also on display for all to see. His prayer was intensely private but evident to all. He was not making a public display to be seen, but he was certainly not ashamed of his life of prayer. Daniel could easily have justified closing the windows to the eyes of those intending to do harm to him, but he boldly continued praying openly. His enemies had no problem finding evidence that he was continuing to pray despite the King’s command. Servant leaders are not ashamed to acknowledge their need for prayer and their practice of prayer. They continue to pray when others are watching; in restaurants, on planes, at home, and in the board room.

He prayed thankfully.

“Giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.” Daniel was certainly “asking God for help,” but he first gave thanks. This was his habit and even when his life was at risk, he paused to thank God. It’s not easy to be continually thankful, especially when others are after our lives! But Daniel found strength in reflecting on God’s goodness to him. Perhaps he thanked God for the opportunity he had enjoyed to serve in the king’s employ for the days he had. Servant leaders give thanks as they pray.

Servant leaders learn from Daniel to kneel before they stand. The source of their leadership strength is a bended knee. They bow to God before expecting others to bow to them or follow their leadership. When they rise from prayer, they have joined their hearts with the one who called them to lead and the one who gives the wisdom and courage they so desperately need.

For further reflection and discussion:

If you don’t know what happened after Daniels prayer, read the rest of the story in Daniel 6!

The passage we examined provides only a brief glimpse into Daniel’s life of prayer. Read and reflect on Daniels prayer in Daniel 9. What do you learn from his prayer that can help you as a leader?

Evaluate your own prayer life in light of the ways that Daniel prayed:

• Frequently. How often do you pray? Does prayer provide the anchor for your day? How often do you begin your day with prayer? End the day with prayer? Pray in the middle of the day?
• Consistently. Is your prayer consistent or only active in times of crisis? What is the result?
• Publically. Is your prayer life open enough that others can see it? Are there situations in which you are afraid to pray openly? What in your heart needs to change?
• Thankfully. Are your prayers heavily flavored with thanksgiving? How much of your prayers are thanksgivings and how much are requests?

What is God inviting you to do this week in response to Daniel’s example of leading on his knees?

The king ordered his death, but after speaking to the king’s messenger with “wisdom and tact,” Daniel called his friends together and urged them to pray that God would reveal the king’s dream. With their lives still hanging in the balance God answered their prayers and revealed the dream to Daniel. He responded to this revelation with heartfelt worship and praise to God (see Daniel 2:19-23) and then went to the king. The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:26-28a). With every success, leaders are tempted to take personal credit. But Daniel refused to take any credit for interpreting the king’s dream. His humble response instructs all servant leaders how to give credit where credit is due.

Servant leaders credit God for their gifts.

Daniel was a talented leader who was the best in his training program. From the beginning of his story everyone could see that he was gifted, especially in the area of interpreting dreams and visions (see Daniel 1:17). He could have easily taken credit for these gifts when he responded to the king. Instead he quickly acknowledged that his ability to interpret dreams was not his own. Servant leaders are grateful for the gifts God has given them. They use their education and life experience to become even more skilled at what they do. But when they succeed, like Daniel, they give God credit for their successes. When they look at how many followers they have, how much profit they have made, how many work for them, or other recognitions of accomplishments, they refuse to take the glory. Proud leaders say “Look at what I have done!” while servant leaders say “Look at what God has done.”

Servant leaders credit God for their position.

As a result of interpreting the dream, Daniel was elevated to an even higher position (Daniel 2:48). But Daniel realized clearly that positions are given by God who “sets up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:21). Daniel models the way for all servant leaders to recognize that whatever position they hold is a gift from God who can grant a position for a season or for a lifetime. Servant leaders acknowledge that God places them in positions, not their own abilities. Proud leaders say “Look where I have reached!” while servant leaders say, “Look where God has brought me.”

Servant leaders credit God for their influence.

Daniel recognized that God placed him in a position to influence one of the most powerful men on earth. Many leaders would be impressed with themselves and quickly let others know who they met for dinner! But Daniel told the king, “As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind” (Daniel 2:30). He acknowledged that God wanted to influence the king through him, and he was grateful for the opportunity. Proud leaders say, “Look at who I influenced!” while servant leaders say “I’m grateful that God allowed me to influence.”

Successful leaders will be tempted to take credit for their achievements and to pass the blame to others when they fail. Daniel teaches us how to give credit where credit is due…and that is always to God!

For further reflection and discussion:

• Read Daniel’s response of praise to God in Daniel 2:19-23. What does his prayer teach you about giving credit to God?
• Reflect on the ways you have been successful as a leader? How are you tempted to take credit for these successes? After listing them, think more deeply about what you have done. Where did you get the strength, the ideas, the vision, the resources? Read 1 Corinthians 4:7. What does this verse teach you about your success or what you have?
• Write down the gifts, positions, and influence God has given to you. Do those around you see you giving God credit for these?

After his early mistake David was finally able to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem with joy and celebration. He clearly desired to have God at the center of his leadership journey. As he settled into his new role as king he again expressed his heart for God by telling the prophet Nathan that he wished to build a temple for God. This plan leads to an entire chapter of conversation with God, mediated through Nathan. (Read the entire account in 2 Samuel 7). This chapter provides helpful insight into how prayer shaped David’s life and leadership. Prayer shaped David’s leadership in three ways and can do the same for each of us as servant leaders.

Prayer reminds that leadership is to establish God’s presence.

‘Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent’ (7:2). David’s heart was clearly to establish a place for God to dwell and he was not satisfied when God’s presence was in a temporary building. His longing was not for a greater house for himself, but a better place for God. He saw his own leadership as an opportunity to do something for God. Servant leaders are tempted, like all leaders, to see their influence as an opportunity to strengthen their own positon in their business, church, or career. Prayer helps refocus on the true purpose of leadership: to establish God’s presence. In prayer, servant leaders are able to see beyond themselves and focus on how they can solidify God’s position through their leadership.

Prayer acknowledges that leadership is because of God’s plan.

Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? (7:18). David continually was humbled as he acknowledged that God had given him his position of leadership. When he asks “Who am I…,” it was not a question from a leader with a low self-esteem; David had already dealt with his identity issue. But, he sees his position as given by God. He resists the temptation to think that he deserves to be the king. He knew that he was not king because of his skill in war or his ability to lead. Rather, leadership was God’s plan for his life. All leaders are tempted, especially when things are going well, to think that God is fortunate to have them on His team! David reminds us that servant leaders humbly acknowledge that our influence is a precious gift of grace, not something we will ever deserve.

Prayer recognizes that leadership is for God’s praise.

Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’ (7:25-26). God gave great promises to David about how his leadership over Israel would never end and how his sons would succeed him. Many leaders would respond with “Amen, let it be so…that sounds good for me!” But David, in prayer, recognized that his leadership was not for building a dynasty but it was about bringing God praise. He saw his role as making God famous in Israel. He wanted people to look at him and say “God is great!” All leaders are tempted to measure their success by how well they are known. Servant leaders succeed as they make God known!

David was a king but focused more on building God’s kingdom than his own. His heart for God kept him in a position of prayer that profoundly changed his purpose for leading. Servant leaders follow his example as they allow prayer to be the foundation of their own leadership journey. Take a moment to reflect on the questions below as you assess how your own leadership compares with David’s. Do you lead with prayer?

For further reflection and discussion:

• In what ways does your leadership role establish God’s presence in your home, career, business, church, or leadership role? How much of your time is spent thinking about how to advance your own position in contrast to thinking about how to advance God’s position?
• In what ways are you tempted to think that your influence is a result of your own ability and hard work?
• What percentage of your prayers are focused on asking God to bring success to your own efforts? What percentage ask God to help you make Him look better?
• What is the difference between leading in prayer and leading with prayer? Which do you do more often?
• In this chapter God gently told David that it would not be his role to build the temple, but his son would take up this task. How would you have responded if God told you that you should not do what you wanted to do for Him? What do you learn from David’s response?

David spends considerable time running from King Saul and his leadership seems reduced to surviving while he waits for God’s plan for his life to unfold. But before he became the king God allowed David to learn how to lead in a crisis. At a pivotal point in David’s leadership, he and his men returned home from the battlefield and found disaster.

When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David's two wives had been captured – Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Ravine, where some stayed behind,”(1 Samuel 30:3-9).

What can servant leaders learn from David about leading in crisis?

Acknowledge the reality.

David did not try to hide the pain of the situation or pretend that nothing was wrong. He acknowledged the painful reality; their homes were burned, their families captured. David’s own wives were among the missing. Not only was he personally impacted by the crisis, but on top of that, the people were ready to stone him! David was in serious trouble! How did he respond? He did not deny the situation, he did not point fingers of blame, and he did not run away. He wept together with his men. Servant leaders do not ignore realities or simply hope that a crisis will go away; they honestly admit the reality and the pain of the situation. But they don’t stop there.

Find strength in God!

David was all alone. Even his dear friend Jonathan was not there to provide comfort, wisdom, or strength. But what David did in crisis is one of the most profound leadership principles in the Bible, “But David found strength in the LORD his God.” In crisis David turned towards God. As he found strength in God, he was able to put aside his own personal pain and focus on the needs of the entire group. He then called for a priest who helped him determine God’s direction for the moment. Servant leaders have a place to turn in crisis to find strength and direction. Others on David’s team became bitter; he became better as he turned his face towards God. Crises reveal what is within the heart of a leader, reliance on self or dependence on God. Where is your source of strength in difficult times?

Plan for action.

Leaders call people to action, and as soon as David had direction from God, he rallied his men and they set out to resolve the crisis. They had no guarantee of success, other than faith in God, but they followed David’s leadership and moved forward. Moments earlier the followers’ response to the crisis was to attack David, the leader. But David attacked the problem and proposed solutions. Leaders in crisis must act quickly, but first need to find strength in God.

Times of crisis call for strong leaders like David whose hearts have been prepared in advance to respond honestly, cry to God for help, and then call others to act.

For further reflection and discussion:

• What other ways could David have responded to this crisis? What might have been the outcome?
• Reflect on a leadership crisis you observed in which someone else was leading. What was their response and what can you learn from it?
• What is the greatest crisis you have faced in your own leadership? Reflect on what happened. Did you respond in the way David responded and how did your response impact what God was able to do in the situation?
• In what ways can you prepare in advance for the inevitable times of crisis?

The story of David and Goliath is a classic story which many of us learned in childhood. The stones and slingshot David used paint a memorable picture of overcoming insurmountable obstacles. But the story is much more than an epic battle; it displayed David’s life purpose. Notice his words to Goliath, “David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands" (1 Samuel 17:45-47). David’s insight reveals that he understood that his battle was much bigger than himself or the giant. His words reveal his life purpose and all servant leaders can learn from him the overarching purpose for which God has given us leadership roles.

Our life purpose is to disclose God’s plan.

Goliath, and the Israeli army, simply saw a physical battle; David saw God’s plan. “I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” David realized that the physical enemy was just an expression of a larger battle and his purpose was to let everyone know God’s plan. This plan was in place before the first stone was hurled. Leaders often set goals and dream of accomplishments with little regard for the overarching purpose. David’s leadership reminds us that our purpose is much greater than the numbers, finances, or whatever gauges we use to measure success. Our leadership is more than running a business or leading a church. God has placed each of us in a specific location to reveal God’s plan to those we lead. Business owners show God’s plan for their employees to live productive lives, receive fair wages for their work and promote health and well-being in their lives. Teachers use the classroom to bring God’s truth to students. Pastors speak God’s plan as they disciple those they lead.

Our life purpose is to display God’s presence.

David understood that the purpose of his stones was so “the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” His leadership was a public demonstration of the reality of God’s presence. God has given each of us a place to lead and to demonstrate that there is a God in our family, our community, our company, school or church. If our daily leadership objectives do not require God, we will never display His presence! What a privilege, and what a challenge!

Our life purpose is to demonstrate God’s power.

“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands” (v. 47). It appears that God deliberately used David’s simple stones instead of a sword to show that the victory would be His alone and not based on David’s leadership competence. Servant leaders bring ‘stones’ to our leadership. We may not have great natural giftings and abilities. But God wants to use each of us to demonstrate His power. If our purpose is not big enough to require God’s power, we need a bigger purpose!

We may not fight a physical giant today, but we are each called to lead in ways that help others understand God’s plan, reveal His presence and demonstrate His power. Now, pick up that stone and take aim!

For further reflection and discussion:

• How does my leadership reveal God’s plan to those I lead? What is God’s purpose for their lives and how does my leadership help accomplish this goal?
• How do I measure success in my leadership? Do my goals reflect God’s purpose for me and those I lead, or are they simply reflections of my own ambitions?
• How does my leadership make God’s real to those I lead?
• Do you have a written statement of your life mission or purpose? If so, look at it with David’s purposes in mind. What changes do you need to make? If not, take some time to prayerfully work on a statement. Share it with a close friend and ask for their feedback.

After David was anointed for leadership, his first recorded act was serving King Saul by playing the harp, a very unusual way of beginning a leadership career! (See 1 Samuel 16:14-23). Saul, like many leaders today, had a position of authority but led without God’s presence. He sought out David for his musical skill in hopes that his problems would be relieved. Although he surely had no idea that the young man with the harp would become the next king, he recognized God’s presence when David worshiped.

This account is much more than a demonstration of David’s skill in playing a musical instrument. It is the first indication of David’s heart for worship and his passion to be in God’s presence. His life story is filled with other examples of his heart for worship. I find over a dozen recorded times in his leadership that David deliberately invited God to guide him, asking for wisdom and direction for specific leadership decisions he needed to make. One of his first acts as a king was to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem, a defining moment in his leadership when he worshiped with abandon. David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets (2 Samuel 6:14-15). David’s heart of worship profoundly shaped his leadership and teaches all us why servant leadership flows out of worship.

Worship keeps our focus on God, not self.

Worship turns our eyes towards God and away from ourselves and our circumstances. Every leader daily faces the temptation to rely on self instead of God. We quickly develop confidence in our own ability to solve problems, make decisions and make things happen. Servant leaders, like David, resist this temptation as they worship. As David worshipped, he forgot about what others thought about him. He was not concerned with the titles or the privileges of his position. Immediately after this public event he went home to bless his family, showing that his priorities were realigned. Worship keeps our hearts tender towards God and allows God to deal with our pride, reveal our sin and to bring the joy of forgiveness. In worship we recognize that our leadership is not about ourselves but about God’s purposes for our lives. Worship is God’s gift which allows us to recalibrate our hearts and refocus on His plans instead of our own. Servant leaders find joy in regular rhythms of worship. They welcome God’s invitation to a weekly day of rest and worship and find other times as well to meet God in worship.

Worship provides space for God to guide.

David’s many acts of worship were invitations for God to come into his leadership space and provide direction to him. He often ‘inquired of the Lord’ before making a significant decision. Leaders are people of action and by default will rely on their own sense of direction to move forward. Servant leaders learn from David to stop, worship, and hear from God before moving. Worship invites God into our leadership space and as we listen for His direction He gives us the guidance we so desperately need. His direction will sometimes make sense to us but at times will be counterintuitive to our natural inclinations. Servant leaders seek this guidance.

David’s example as a worshipper invites us to be leaders after God’s own heart, allowing worship to shape who we are and how we lead. Servant leadership flows out of worship.

For further reflection and discussion:

• What times and ways have been most helpful for you to connect with God in worship? Do you plan regular times for this to happen?
• What daily actions can you take to open yourself more fully to God in worship?
• Reflect on God’s design for a weekly day of rest, the Sabbath. How have you experienced this in your own life and leadership? What can you do to strengthen the impact of this day on your leadership?
• What situations are you facing in your leadership now which need God’s direction? How is He inviting you to hear from Him in worship?
• Read 2 Samuel 6 and reflect on what you observe from David’s example.

We have observed David as a young man developing the heart of a shepherd and learning to base his significance on his relationship with God instead of other things. At this point in his leadership journey, he had little idea of what God wanted to do with his life, but God was working in his life to prepare a future king. Before David was ready for public leadership, God knew that David, like all servant leaders, needed the empowering of the Spirit and provided this through Samuel’s anointing.

So he [Samuel] asked Jesse,“Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:11-13)

From this point onwards, David’s life was forever changed. He was called to leadership. He knew it and his family knew it. The oil poured on his head was accompanied by the Spirit of God coming upon him “in power.” This empowerment of the Spirit shaped His entire life and reveals our own need for the same.

Spirit empowerment supersedes our physical ability.

The Spirit came with ‘power.’ David had physical ability and even looked good! He had the courage to kill a lion and a bear. He was a skilled marksman. But these physical characteristics and abilities were not enough for him to be a leader after God’s own heart. The power of the Spirit brings a strength to servant leaders that cannot be developed in school or from books. Leaders, particularly gifted leaders, are tempted to think that they can do it alone. But those who attempt to lead with their own ability cannot fully accomplish what God intends for them. Servant leaders consciously seek the empowerment of the Spirit for all they do.

Spirit empowerment shapes our heart.

This anointing ceremony was a huge event for David, and from that moment he knew that he would be a king. Still, it would be many years before David would actually sit on a throne. The empowerment of the Spirit enabled David to persevere through the wilderness experiences still to come. He developed the patience to wait on God’s timing. History is filled with stories of young leaders who feel called to positions and then scheme to get power. David was able to wait humbly on God because of his encounter with the Spirit. Servant leaders rely on the work of the Spirit to change their hearts.

Spirit empowerment sets us apart.

In the presence of his father and brothers, David was set apart for a special leadership role. But this call came at a great cost. There was some jealously from David’s brothers who likely felt better qualified. Their jealously was revealed some time later when they mocked David on the battlefield. From this point on David was no longer simply a young brother; he was set apart. Many desire leadership positions but are not prepared for the cost of leadership. Servant leaders humbly accept the call and with the empowerment of the Spirit are able to pay the price.

In our day, the empowerment of the Spirit is available to all, not a select few. All servant leaders seek the empowerment of the Spirit for the role to which God has called them. With the empowerment of the Spirit, they learn not to rely on their own ability, they allow God to shape their hearts, and they willingly pay the price for being set apart.

For further reflection and discussion:

• To what extent is your own leadership shaped by the work of the Spirit? Give a recent example.
• In what areas are you tempted to rely on your own ability instead of the Spirit’s? What can you do to guard against this temptation?
• What areas of your heart need the empowerment of the Spirit right now? Take a moment to ask Him to do this work in you and be sensitive to any actions He instructs you to take.
• In what ways has God led you to be ‘set apart’ from others? How have you responded to this call? How can the Spirit enable you to walk confidently yet with humility?

The first message preached by Peter was confrontational and courageous and brought him into immediate conflict with the authorities. After his case was heard he left the court and gathered together with other believers and prayed, Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness (Acts 4:29). His prayer reveals the balance of boldness and humility every servant leader needs and calls us to proclaim truth with humility.

Boldness releases a servant leader to proclaim God’s truth.

At risk to his own life, Peter boldly proclaimed truth to a hostile audience. He exposed their sin and called them to repentance and change (see Acts 3). The authorities responded quickly with force and threats and Peter is called to face their charges. These were the men who orchestrated the death of Jesus only a short time earlier. Even in this situation Peter continues to respond with boldness and ultimately refuses to obey their order to stop talking about Jesus! He proclaimed the truth of God in that situation seemingly without regard to what it might cost him.

Servant leaders have courage to speak the truth even in costly situations. They do not wait for everyone to approve since they are not seeking approval from others. They recognize that true leadership is not a popularity contest. Like Peter, they focus on God’s agenda not their own. In the boardroom, pulpit, staff meeting, the teachers’ lounge, or over a meal, servant leaders are not afraid to tackle tough issues. They are not bound by the desire to please people or to be politically correct. Their confrontation often cuts across the status quo and boldly calls people to change. When is the last time you boldly spoke truth?

Humility requires a servant leader to seek God’s power.

It is not difficult to think of Peter as bold, however, humility is not a word we would quickly associate with his leadership! But his prayer reveals that he was no longer relying on his natural leadership abilities for boldness but on God’s strength. Perhaps he recalled his betrayal of Jesus and how he lacked the courage to speak truth in that situation. He had always been quick to speak but at that point realized that his natural leadership abilities were not enough. In this prayer he humbly acknowledges that on his own he did not have the courage needed to keep speaking in the face of the threat of death or imprisonment. He humbly sought and received God’s power.

Those gifted to lead often assume that they have the power to change others. But servant leaders humbly acknowledge their own limitations and lack of ability to bring about a change of heart. Even those naturally gifted in leadership, like Peter, recognize that on their own they cannot produce positive change. They humbly seek God’s power to fill them again and again. When is the last time you asked God for boldness?

When leaders are bold but not humble they do more harm than good. They confront situations with arrogance and a superior attitude, recklessly leading change. When leaders are humble, but not bold, no change takes place. Wrong is not confronted and truth is not revealed. Servant leaders learn from Peter to be bold and humble. This combination leads to the transformation of lives in those we lead. This is not learned from reading a book on leadership or by setting high goals for achievement. It comes by being with Jesus. The authorities could only explain the amazing courage of Peter by recognizing that he had been with Jesus. Servant leaders walk close enough to Jesus to be set free from the need for praise from men. They are close enough to His heart to recognize situations that call for a proclamation of truth. From Him they gain passion to see God’s kingdom established in their home, their business, their church and their world. When that is not happening servant leaders rise up and lead with bold humility.

For further reflection and discussion

• Read Acts 3 and 4 and reflect on Peter’s bold humility. What additional things can you learn from his example? In what way is God asking you to follow Peter’s example?
• In your leadership, do you tend to lead with boldness or humility? What is the result? What steps can you take to bring balance to your leadership in these areas?
• What situations in your home, workplace or church does God want to change? Have you prayed enough about this situation to lead with bold humility? What will bold humility look like in this situation?