Servant Leadership by Pastor Gideon Yong

What is Christian Leadership all about? Christian leadership to me is, first and foremost servant leadership. It is not about power or position. It is definitely not about control. Our role is the role of a servant. It is found in giving ourselves in service to others and not coaxing others to serve you. As Philippians 2: 3-7 says: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Here we see that one of the fundamental truths of being a leader is to look out for the interest of others and not to look out for our own interest only. Even Jesus came as a bondservant to serve those He came to save. Another verse that comes to mind is in John 13 where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. This was an example of Jesus' servant leadership.



I know that at times we are tempted to be great in the eyes of the people we lead. This may come as a surprise to some of us but the need to be great comes from some deep issues of insecurity within us. Serving God is not about trying to be great but rather through the inner workings of the Spirit, by having the right motive of serving and with great patience, with firm decision-making, all for the good of those we serve. This is when respect and greatness comes. In Matthew 20:26-28 says: "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.



Therefore true greatness does not come by serving on the fast track but comes only by way of servanthood and leadership through becoming a slave of all. I think most of us would already know that humility is a quality in a leader that should be ever growing and increasing.



What if you are the pastor and the leader under you is an older person, has higher qualifications or better charisma than you, which may make you feel intimidated and uneasy? Ask yourself, why would some of us feel intimidated and uneasy? Must our servanthood be tied in with our qualification or age? Do higher qualifications determine how good we are as servant leaders? I am sure you see the pattern of my rhetorical questioning, that our fears are not founded on valid facts or reasons. There is no reason for us to fear or feel inadequate. Let our life speak on the pulpit by first serving the people. Let the people sense and see our dedication, commitment and love by our service unto them and our taking care of them. So what if someone in the congregation has said something that made us feel unqualified to take up the position in the church. I think we need to stop trying to please everybody because it is impossible to please everybody. Servant leadership is not about people seeing what you do or praising you all the time. In fact it is the hidden path of sacrificial service and approval of the Lord over the flamboyant self-advertising of the world. You are the pastor of the church because God put you there.



Do not ever be discouraged by criticisms for they are helpful to us. Get the attitude that says, the humble person can learn from petty criticism, even malicious criticism. Do not let criticism defeat us because in every criticism there will be an element of truth in it and if we are wise and humble, we can and will profit from it. No leader in the world is exempt from criticism where his humility is thoroughly tested. It is how you react to it that determines your future. Someone once said, When people spit on you, you get wet not mad, it's just that we choose to get mad. And again do not let criticism defeat us and depress us to the point of immobilizing us in our confidence to serve the people. Even the apostle Paul taught never to let criticism get to you in 1 Corinthians 4:3 - 4: But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.