John is well known for baptisms. But it was the message he communicated that actually produced change in people’s lives. His message produced the baptisms. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." "What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same" (Luke 3:3, 7-10). John was a master communicator and his message was transformational. He communicated for a change. Servant leaders learn from his example how to communicate in a way that brings transformation, not just information.

Communicate clearly.

“Preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John didn’t preach about many things, just repentance. He worked hard to keep his message clear and simple. Some leaders seek to impress the listeners with their knowledge or vocabulary. They feel it is a compliment when a listener says, “Your message was so deep I couldn’t understand!” The focus of these leaders is not on the listeners on themselves! But servant leaders have a passion to communicate the message so that it will be easy to understand. They work to simplify their message and make it as clear as possible. Servant leaders focus on the listeners need to understand. So they communicate clearly.

Communicate visually.

For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. John the Baptist used pictures to communicate. He talked about stones, an ax, trees, fruit and fire, all well-known images to his listeners. He recognized that people learn more quickly if they can visualize the message. Boring communicators provide information without pictures. Great communicators paint the message with pictures. They provide pictures of a better working environment, a stronger community, or a transformed world. They inspire with clear pictures of what can happen when the listeners understand the message. Servant leaders have a passion to help others get the picture so they communicate visually.

Communicate contextually.

John the Baptist shaped his message for his audience. Not only did he use visual images which were familiar to them, he also anticipated their objections before they raised them. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' Servant leaders consider their audience before they choose their message. They consciously put themselves in the shoes of those will listen and ask how the message will be heard by them. They adapt their content to the context. Servant leaders want their listeners to feel that the message was directly to them so they communicate contextually.

Communicate practically.

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same" This is where John’s message became transformational. He moved from theory to practice. He told the listeners the practical steps which they could take to apply the message. In the verses that follow he added more details for tax collectors and soldiers. Many leaders stop with information and assume that the listeners will figure out the application. But servant leaders focus on the need of the listeners to change. They reflect on what changes they want in the listeners and do not hesitate to give specific examples of what change will look like. Servant leaders want transformation so they communicate with practical examples.

All leaders in the corporate world, business, school or church communicate a message. They influence with their words. Servant leaders work hard to make their message as transformational as possible. They keep it clear, they make it visual, they adapt to the context and they keep it practical. As they do it well, they communicate for a change.

For further reflection and discussion:

Reflect on a recent communication between you and your followers. (This could be a written document, email, informal interaction, or a formal presentation, teaching or sermon.) In each of the following areas rate your communication on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being perfect!

• _____ It was clear
• _____ It was visual
• _____ It was contextual
• _____ It was practical

If possible, ask one of those who listened or received the communication to do the same evaluation from their perspective. What is the most significant thing I learned from this reflection? Which area do I most need to improve for future communication?

Now reflect on a significant type of communication that you will do in the future. What one thing can I do to make this communication more transformational for those who will listen?

Paul’s list of qualifications next mentions that the leader is “not given to drunkenness” (1 Timothy 3:3). It seems obvious that Paul does not want to see leaders staggering after drinking too much alcohol. But his statement should cause even those who drink no alcohol to think more deeply about what he is saying. What is Paul’s underlying concern and what does it have to do with servant leadership? Servant leaders recognize and avoid three distinct dangers of alcohol.

Servant leaders resist negative influences.

We often describe a person drinking alcohol as “under the influence.” The use of alcohol negatively influences the physical and mental capacity of the one who drinks. Judgment is impaired and often foolish decisions are made because of this influence. Servant leaders realize they are called to be influencers and therefore carefully guard what influences them. They guard their relationships with persons who impact their attitudes and actions. They guard their eyes from images, movies, and pictures that will lead them in the wrong direction. Instead of being under the influence of alcohol, they seek to be increasingly under the influence of the Holy Spirit. (See Ephesians 5:18)

Servant leaders refuse to cover pain with addictions.

Alcohol is an effective way to cover up pain, at least temporarily. Many people turn to drinking to wash away their sorrows. Alcohol quickly becomes an easy way to deal with disappointments, broken relationships and deep feelings of inadequacy. The temporary relief reinforces the behavior and becomes an addiction. Many leaders attempt to cover pain, if not through alcohol, with other addictive behaviors. They may turn to pornography to deal with the pain of their own loneliness; they may become workaholics to cope with the pain of feeling insignificant. They may immerse themselves in sports, gambling, or hobbies that numb the pain in their souls. Servant leaders recognize that addictions are a cheap substitute for real healing and choose instead to expose their pain to the Spirit of God who provides genuine and lasting healing.

Servant leaders reject artificial transformation.

Alcohol quickly changes a person’s personality. Shy persons strike up conversations with strangers. Timid and insecure persons become loud and bold after a few drinks. Alcohol brings freedom from inhibitions and seemingly transforms those who are under the influence. These transformations, however, are counterfeit and temporary. No lasting change happens. In contrast, Paul desires for the Spirit of God to give us boldness and free us from the things that keep us down. Servant leaders recognize that genuine transformation is a product of the work of the Holy Spirit over time. They refuse to accept any artificial shortcuts.

King Xerxes is a biblical example of a leader who allowed alcohol to influence his decisions. In a drunken state he gave a foolish and arrogant command to his wife. When she refused to obey, he became angry and banished her from his presence. In the passion of the moment he felt like a man of power and would have made a good model for a contemporary beer commercial. Later, however, he regretted his foolish action. (Read his story in Esther 1).

Take a moment to reflect on your own leadership. What influences are you allowing to shape you?

For further reflection and discussion:

• What are the three key influences that shape my life?
• What evidence has there been in my life in the past week that I am controlled by the Spirit?
• What negative influences do I need to eliminate from my life?
• Take a few minutes to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any addictions in your life. Identify any behavior that is an attempt to deal with pain. In what way does God want to bring total healing to that area?
• What areas of my life need transformation? Am I cooperating with the Spirit to see this area changed or am I looking for shortcuts?

Paul’s quality checklist to Timothy next calls for leaders who are “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2). Many associate this skill with only a few select individuals who are gifted and called to public speaking and teaching. But Paul is convinced that all leaders should have this ability. He agrees with the writer of Hebrews who says to us all, “by this time you ought to be teachers” (Hebrews 5:12). Paul recognizes that being able to teach is for every servant leader because it reveals four key passions of their heart.

Able to teach reveals a love for learning.

Effective teachers are passionate learners. They recognize that before they can teach others, they need to learn themselves. This learning can be formal or informal but leaders who pass the quality assurance test “able to teach” are always learning and growing. They are eager to read, attend trainings, and learn from others who are ahead of them on the journey. They are willing to invest the time and resources required to learn. A love for learning requires thinking, reflecting, evaluating and digesting information. Servant leaders love to learn not simply to impress others with their knowledge or credentials, but because they see themselves as stewards of the mind which God has given to them. They have a passion to learn as much as they can so that they glorify God by becoming all that God created them to be.

Able to teach reveals a love for others.

Teachers are not simply passionate about personal growth but they desire to pass this on to others to see them also grow and develop. Leaders whose motives are selfish will learn and grow for their own benefit. But servant leaders’ love for others motivates them to develop their teaching ability so they can help others grow. They recognize that their leadership is a sacred trust from God for the good of others and they deeply desire to see those under their leadership learning togrow as well.

Able to teach reveals a love for communication.

Not all leaders will be skilled or gifted in the area of public communication. But all servant leaders have a passion to communicate well to others what God has taught them. A mother at home takes time over a cup of tea to communicate with a neighbor what she has learned about parenting. Corporate managers find emerging leaders and coach them to navigate the system. Pastors prepare to teach as a way of communicating with others what God has taught them through their study and experience. Servant leaders are passionate about communicating to others and continually seek to be more effective in this skill.

Able to teach reveals a love for transformation.

Effective teachers recognize that the goal of teaching is not passing on information but life transformation. They take seriously the Great Commission’s charge, “teaching them to obey” (Matthew 28:19). Servant leaders are passionate about producing change in the lives of those who follow and sharpen their teaching skills in an effort to see increasing transformation take place.

Ezra was a biblical leader who was well able to teach. A short description of his life provides a lot of insight for all servant leaders. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. (Ezra 7:10) Note the progression, Ezra first studied, then obeyed and then taught others. As his own life was transformed he passed it on to others. He teaches all servant leaders not to teach without study which produces transformation. But he also challenges us after transformation to teach others. Take a moment to rate your leadership in the area of teaching.

For further reflection and discussion:

• What am I doing to learn and grow this week? In the past month? What books am I reading and what seminars have I attended? Am I meeting with a mentor to help me grow? Am I growing in wisdom, the ability to apply what I'm learning to life situations?
• What is my attitude towards those whom I lead? Am I passionate about their growth? Do I desire to see them develop their own skills and abilities? Is my desire for their growth because of my love for them or is it simply because I want them to help me accomplish my vision?
• How effective am I at communicating to others what God has taught? Am I growing in this area? Am I most effective in public or private settings?
• What transformation do I see in the lives of those whom I am leading? Are there ways that I can grow as a teacher which will result in greater transformation in their lives?