Zeta - Servant leadership

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28)

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1-3)

An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless -- not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:6-9)



The final step which Jesus has in mind for us is leadership.

You may say that leadership is a gift (see Epsilon), but sooner or later every one of us is called upon to lead - whether as a parent in the home, whether in training up a new employee at work, whether just by example through the proficiency of the exercise of your gift - but we need not be afraid, because it is not some high-powered thing.

In the mind of Jesus, leadership equals servanthood first and foremost. Unless that is grasped, then any leading that we may do is not leading at all within the Kingdom of God. If I may adapt 1 Corinthians 13, if I lead without a servant attitude, I am nothing.

A leader is not a "great" person who is unobtainable. No. A leader is a person who is committed to living a life of example. A leader is a person who is committed to living a life of inspiration to others. A leader is committed to giving people something to follow.
(Brian Houston, "One of the Few", Hillsong Television)