Bi-weekly inspiration for leaders who change their world by serving

Issue #290, December 9, 2020

Jesus: Raise the Bar

In the last issue we looked at the first action of the The Serving Leader Model^TM*, Run to Great Purpose, which determines our vision or why we lead.  In addition, effective leaders raise the bar for those who follow by identifying the values that guide their work. They call everyone to behave in ways that align with those values. Jesus did the same with His disciples when He sent them out.
3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. (Luke 10:3-24).
Here Jesus models the second action, Raise the Bar, by identifying the values He wanted to instill in His disciples. Serving leaders learn from His example how values shape their leadership. 

Values shape the methods of our work.

Jesus gave detailed instructions about how the disciples were to go. “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road….Do not move around from house to house.” He called them to keep things simple, to focus clearly on the task, and to remain consistent. As He provided these instructions, He was sharing with them the values that were important to Him. If He would have used a bulletin board to post the values of His team it might have said, “We value simplicity, focus, and consistency.”
The vision or great purpose determines why we lead while values define how we lead. Serving leaders identify and define the core values for their teams. They may include the team as a part of this process, but they don’t delegate the responsibility to clarify what values are most critical.

Values shape the message of our work.

Jesus was clear about the message He wanted His disciples to carry to the villages they would visit. He called them to proclaim the message, “The kingdom of God has come near you.” This was the message that would help accomplish the great purpose. Jesus wanted His followers to share a message that reflected their values. This alignment allowed the disciples to authentically carry the message they were tasked to convey.
Serving leaders work hard to make sure that the message they value is communicated clearly and frequently throughout the organization. They check often to make sure that the message, values and great purpose are closely aligned.  

Values shape the models for our work.

Jesus provides illustrations of two types of persons who would receive His disciples--one welcomed them, and one rejected them. Why did Jesus provide these models? He wanted to reinforce His values in the stories He told and the models He provided. He wanted His disciples to understand how their values would be lived out in the real world and what it could cost them to be faithful to their values.
Serving leaders carefully choose their models. They share stories and recognize behaviors on their team that reflect their values. Where they find gaps, they correct and coach to bring alignment with the values. They raise the bar by clarifying and implementing values.

For Further Reflection and Discussion

• Read the entire passage of Jesus sending out the 72 disciples in Luke 10:1-24.  Reflect on what He was doing as a leader and how it demonstrates the values Jesus wanted His followers to demonstrate.
• Does your organization have clearly expressed values? If not, take some time to reflect on what they should be and develop a plan to bring other key leaders into this process. If you already have defined values, are they understood by everyone in the organization? What more can be done to ensure that everyone understands and models these values?
• Do you share stories that help people understand the values you hold?
• Do you evaluate the effectiveness of your followers in light of the values you articulate?  In what ways can you do this more consistently?
• When there are gaps between your values and how followers live, how do you address this to bring alignment? If there are members of your team that do not share your values, how does that impact your ability to achieve your great purpose?    

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll look at how Jesus blazed the trail as He sent His disciples.

*The Serving Leader Model ^TM, was developed by Dr. John Stalh-Wert, author of “The Serving Leader.” See www.CenterForServingLeadership.com for more information.

Reflections for Serving Leaders is published by Center for Serving Leadership and Jon Byler. Copyright, 2020