Running Head: GROUP BIBLICAL INTEGRATION
Group Biblical Integration
Raven Ainsworth
Renate Becker
Windy Martin
Devonte Reese
Sharon Respus
Dustin Rhodes
Laura Smerbeck
Liberty University
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Abstract
This paper will discuss servant leadership, a term first coined by Robert K. Greenleaf. We will
discuss his key ideas and his views of servant leadership. Greenleaf’s ten characteristics of
servant leadership will be discussed. Then we will explain what we feel is lacking from
Greenleaf’s theories when viewed through a biblical perspective. The differences between a
man-centered approach and a Christ-centered approach to servant leadership are discussed. We
will then examine servant leadership through a biblical viewpoint as Jesus lead. We will talk
about how Jesus lead with integrity, served others with the spirit of humility and humbleness
because he knew the love of God intimately. We will also discuss how Christ-centered leadership
moves from the heart, through the head and into the hands in order to become habits. Finally, we
will explain how Jesus wanted all of his followers to live as he did and help others to do the
same.
Keywords: Servant leadership, Christ, heart, humility, compassion, serving others,
humble
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Deficiencies in Greenleaf’s view of servant leadership
This research will examine a biblical analysis of the key ideas associated with Robert K.
Greenleaf’s servant leadership perspective. Van Dierendonck (2011) examines how Greenleaf
states “the servant-leader is “primus inter pares” (i.e., first among equals), who does not use his
or her power to get things done but who tries to persuade and convince staff” (p. 1231).
Greenleaf’s ideas were later summarized into ten key servant leadership characteristics
including the following: 1) Listening, 2) Empathy, 3) Healing, 4) Awareness, 5) Persuasion, 6)
Conceptualization 7) Foresight, 8) Stewardship, 9) Commitment to the growth of the people, and
10) Building Community (Spears, 2004). Christians have understood servant leadership as a key
component of God’s commandments for millennia (Duby, 2009). Support for the key
characteristics can be found in the Bible. For example, James provides biblical support writing,
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to
speak and slow to become angry” (James, 1:19, NIV).
Like listening, empathy and healing are considered components of the Greenleaf servant
leadership perspective (Spears, 2004). Peter echoes support for empathy and healing, we read,
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and
humble” (1 Peter 3:8, NIV). Our ability to empathize with others and show humility is an
important part of servant leadership, because without both leaders may not bring an accurate
perspective to situations (Fischer, 2010).
Awareness is another characteristic of Greenleaf’s servant leadership perspective as it
provides leaders with proper perspective (Spears, 2004), and this characteristic is supported in
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the Bible as Timothy states, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this,
for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16, ESV).
Persuasion replaced top down decision making under the Greenleaf servant leadership
perspective and the advantage is this approach builds consensus across the team (Spears, 2004).
Proverbs 25:15 (NIV) argues in favor of persuasion stating, “Through patience a ruler can be
persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.”
Conceptualization, foresight, and stewardship, speak to a leader’s ability to rise above the
day to day operations or issues, see the big picture, and apply lessons learned to plot a course for
the betterment of those they serve (Spears, 2004). Similar ideas are addressed in the Scripture as
follows: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to
whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48, ESV). Greenleaf also
considered a commitment to growing people and building community important to servant
leadership (Spears, 2004). Jesus exhibited a commitment to grow people as he worked with his
disciples over multiple years (Blanchard and Hodges, 2003) and Paul’s successful growth of the
church exhibited the importance of building a community (Coulter, 2003). The authors did not
find deficiencies in the characteristics to be expressed by servant leaders, in fact, the Bible
supported each, however the biblical foundation of servant leadership is through Jesus. Jesus
influenced others to believe in God. Servant leadership cannot be bought, it has to be earned.
Jesus had followers believe and trust in him. Robert Greenleaf was not coming from a Christian
background when he coined the term servant leader in 1970 (Spears, 1996), but servant
leadership was a common theme throughout both the old and new testament and especially in the
life of Jesus. According to Greenleaf (1977, p. 27) servant leadership begins with a natural
inclination to first serve others, and secondly make a decision with the head to lead them.
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Greenleaf did not entirely define servant leadership and so there are many secular interpretations
(van Dierendonck, 2011, p. 1231).
From all of the interpretations, there are 44 characteristics that define servant leadership,
with some overlapping (van Dierendonck, 2011, p. 1232). One thing is certain though, since
Greenleaf believed in serving people first, he had a man-centered approach to servant leadership
whereas biblical servant leadership has a Christ-centered approach. Having a Christ-centered
approach is the key difference in a biblical versus secular view of servant leadership. Having a
Christ centered perspective of servant leadership means that we recognize the need for a Savior
and not just a desire to make the right and ethical choice (Fischer, 2010a). Having the desire to
want to make a difference in the world is a good thing unless it becomes your purpose for living
rather than living for Christ (Fischer, 2010b). Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, the Holy
Spirit will guide us to serve God first and then others. Jesus offers the perfect example of what it
means to be a servant leader. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, NKJV).
The interest in Greenleaf servant leadership ideas have grown as organizations seek to
positively influence employees and society (van Dierendonck, 2011, p. 1232). Jesus set a perfect
example of servant leadership and informed His disciples that leadership is service (Blanchard
and Hodges, 2003).
Robert Greenleaf constructed his view on leadership and the specific
characteristics that develop the qualities of a servant leader from a novel he read. Spears (2004)
wrote that Greenleaf’s inspiration came from a novel, Journey to the East, whereby a group of
people where on a spiritual journey. Additionally, Duby (2009) noted that Greenleaf’s idea of a
leader serving others progresses from their naturalistic worldview. His idea of serving others
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does not emphasize a supreme example of a servant leader. Van Dierendonck noted (2011),
“Greenleaf placed “going beyond one’s self-interest” as a core characteristic of servant
leadership” (p. 1230). Greenleaf believed that for a leader to be a servant there must be a
“natural feeling” to want to serve (Spears, 1996). Spears (1996) summed up Greenleaf’s
philosophy and wrote, “True leadership emerges from those whose primary motivation is a deep
desire to help others” (p. 1). From the research, it appears that Greenleaf’s servant leadership
ideology fails to note a biblical example/model of a servant leader.
However, the biblical model is rooted in Christ, and his example is found in
Scripture. Coulter (2013) stated, “It often involves relinquishing one’s own desires,” (p. 26). The
primary biblical example that Coulter used was from John 13:1-20. The next section will discuss
the biblical foundation for servant leadership.
Christian morals and values are deep rooted within the foundation of serving others. Jesus
did the ultimate service unto others by giving his life for our sins. In order to serve and save us,
God sacrificed his son: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life – John 3:16. Jesus was
able to lead his people from his ability to serve others in the process. Duby (2009) stated that,
“Few Christians would argue that Christians are not called to serve—this was the very essence of
Christ, and again relates to the powerful attractions to Greenleaf’s central tenet that the servant-
leader is to serve” (p. 5).
A Biblical Analysis of Servant Leadership
The beginning of servant leadership for the Christian is to first serve God (Duby, 2009).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to
you”, (Matthew 6:33). This is the foundation upon which the rest of servant leadership is built.
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The foundation of servant leadership also focuses on serving others, which originates in the heart
and is illuminated via a spirit of humility. Humility is what flows out of a servant leader’s heart.
Philippians 2:4-5 states, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count
others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your own interests but
also to the interests of others,” (ESV).
As a servant leader we must show humility and have mercy and empathy for others
(Fisher, 2010). It is imperative to communicate with others and understand that everyone is
important. I Corinthians 12:12;14 reminds us that “for as the body is one, and hath many
members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For
the body is not one member, but many” (KJV). Blanchard and Hodges wrote (2003), “Servant
leaders, however, look at leadership as an act of service,” (p. 18). This act of service is the core
contrast to any other leadership model that is presented. Servant leadership begins in the heart,
once the heart starts with good intentions it then travels to the head which is then interpreted by
the views and understanding of the leader and then it finally arrives in the hand and becomes the
way of life for the leader (Blanchard & Hodges, 2003).
There is a heightened sense of awareness that happens when an individual embarks on the
path of servant leadership. They become more aware of the people and the community in which
they serve. As a Christian, the sense of awareness is ignited to be more Christ like within one’s
servitude (Blanchard, Hodges & Hendry, 2016). Being aware as a servant leader means to always
be awake and alert about what is happening around them and within themselves in order to be
able to make ethical and value-based decisions (Spears, 2004). A true Christ-centered servant
leader uses that awareness to help mold, teach and transform those that would be leaders after or
alongside of themselves into servant leaders as we are (Liberty University, 2009).
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Jesus created a community, by empowering his followers and teaching them to engage in
serving and trusting that they would reciprocate those same behaviors. “You call me ‘teacher’
and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am.” Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” – John 13:12-14. Jesus instructs us
to lead, but also be humble and have a spirit of humility to be able to serve others.
Servant leadership is the notion that it encourages people and institutions to serve and
lead others by increasing the quality of life (Spears, 1996). Jesus had an assignment ordained by
God to serve others on Earth. Jesus is an example of how leaders need to put God first in all they
do including leadership. Jesus’s first role was to establish a team, he then picked twelve disciples
that would follow and help complete his mission. Jesus had to teach them how to be effective
leaders, he taught them how to perform miracles and cast out demons. Jesus also had to teach
them how to depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom.
As a servant leader there needs to be a covenant or agreement with those that are being
led in which there is a mutual understanding and trust in being able to see the bigger picture to
get the job done (Fischer, 2010b). In order to do this a servant leader needs to be able to make
time for their followers and really listen to them. Followers need to know that their leader will be
willing to get down in the trenches with them when things get sticky and that they are not above
doing the grunt work if that is what the team needs. This strategy in leadership is known as the
top-down hierarchy and it allows a leader to serve not only the employees, but also the customers
they serve to be able to better understand what is needed to get the job done (Liberty University,
2009).
Jesus is a clear example of servant leadership. Jesus led through several oppositions and
resisted to satisfy his own desires. He ensured to equip and teach his team on how to effectively
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resist temptation and ensure they fulfilled his mission of ensuring the gospel was shared
throughout the world. Spears (1996) states “True leadership emerges from those whose primary
motivation is a deep desire to help others” (p,1). Jesus’s passion was to implement the plan God
assigned him. Fischer (2010a) stated leaders should be Christ minded not man minded. Also,
they must accept Jesus into their hearts and minds. Once God is placed first, everything else will
follow.
Jesus was also very clear to the disciples according to John 7:16 “My teaching is not my
own. It comes from the one who sent me” (NIV). He wanted the disciples to understand in order
to glorify God, God must come first. Jesus spoke in parables as in John 7: 17-18 “Whoever
speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who
sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him” (NIV). One thing all leaders must
do, is to completely and honestly confront and acknowledge pridefulness (Blanchard & Hodges,
2003). Servant leadership starts in the heart with good intentions and motivation, and then moves
to the head through the leader’s beliefs and views on life, before finally traveling through the
hands and then becoming habits (Blanchard & Hodges, 2003).
It is imperative for a person to incorporate their spiritual life into their secular life
(Fischer, 2010b). “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work”, (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This incorporation is especially
important within servant leadership. We must make application of scripture an everyday habit,
and we must also take in the whole Word of God, balancing between the Old and New Testament
(Blanchard et al., 2016). After reading or studying God’s word, we need to meditate on it. In
order to be a Christ-centered servant leader, we must also have a godly support system. Leaders
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need to have relationships with other Christians where they can let their guard down and speak
freely (Blanchard et al., 2016).
Conclusion
The Bible contains numerous examples of servant leaders including Jesus, Peter, Paul,
and David (Coulter, 2003). We find a biblical model for servant leadership in Mark 10:42-45
(NIV) as Jesus states, “…You know that those who are regarded as 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 slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to
give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 22:35-40 (NIV) clearly addresses whom we are to
serve first in the following versus: “One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this
question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first
and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the
Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” While some key concepts are similar,
biblical servant leadership and Greenleaf’s servant leadership are vastly different given that a
Christian is called to serve God first and others second (Fischer, 2010b).
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References
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