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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Power, Authority, and Servanthood Leadership
Submitted to Doctor Chang
GLST 290 - 001
Cultural Anthropology
By
Olivia Yetter
November 19th, 2021
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Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................ 2
Definition of Leadership .........................................................................................................2
Power .......................................................................................................................................3
Power in Leadership ...................................................................................................... 3
Christian Power Leadership ........................................................................................... 3
Authority… .............................................................................................................................. 4
Authority in Leadership ................................................................................................. 4
Chrsitian Authority Leadership ....................................................................................... 4
Servanthood
Servanthood in Leadership............................................................................................. 5
Christian Servanthood Leadership ................................................................................ 5
Kingdom Leadership............................................................................................................... 6
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 6
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................ 8
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Introduction
Leadership when defined by society is often referred to as having individual authority
and power. However, when redefined by the Bible, it places authority and power in the hands of
the Father and therefore His followers become servants of the Kingdom. The glory is the Lord’s
and His commandment to make His name known to the nations becomes clear when leadership
is rooted in scripture, the authority and power is His, and servanthood is the posture of the heart.
Leadership
Past people groups have widely believed that leadership is something one has inherited or
a trait to be acquired.1 However, researcher Fred Fielder at The University of Washington, found
that when analyzing research regarding leadership, leaders are those who are brighter, more
extroverted, and stir the imagination of others.2 Leaders are not all the same, they are not
uniformly trained, it is important to understand the different leaders that make up our world.
Each people group, each nation functions differently and therefore require leaders who are
tailored to their culture to bring about change and order that is best fitted to their own lifestyles.
Some common types of leaders are synchronized, opportunist, diplomatic, and authoritative
leaders.3 Synchronized leaders are those who are more focused on potential threats than rewards,
these leaders are often those found in Northeast Asia and across Latin America. Opportunist
leaders are self-initiate, flexible, and goal oriented, they work to ensure others keep up and they
check in with team members. These leaders are risk takers and are very open-minded. These
1
Fred E Fiedler, <Leadership Effectiveness: EMERGENT LEADERSHIP WHAT MAKES THE LEADER
EFFECTIVE? SITUATIONAL FACTORS DETERMINING THE ROLE OF INTELLIGENCE AND
EXPERIENCE IN LEADERSHIP PERFORMANCE CONCLUDING REMARKS REFERENCES,= The American
Behavioral Scientist (pre-1986) 24, no. 5 (1981): 619.
2 Ibid.
3 Thomas chamorro-premuzic, <What Leadership Looks like in Different Cultures,= Harvard Business
Review, last modified May 6, 2016, accessed November 18, 2021, https://hbr.org/2016/05/what-leadersh
ip-looks-like-in-different-cultures.
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leaders are present in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway.4 Diplomatic leaders
found in New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, and Latin America confront issues directly, are
task-oriented, and know how to communicate effectively.5 Lastly, leaders in Western Asia, South
Korea, Serbia, Kenya, and Greece are those seen as authoritative. They refuse compromise,
implement strict rules, and act more as bosses than leaders.6 Each of these different leader
characteristics and styles are what works and brings about growth in these specific countries and
people groups. However, it is important to realize the role the Gospel has when it comes to
leadership and the power and authority each leader's style possesses.
Power
The power a leader holds is dependent upon their ability to influence others and their
behavior.7 Transformation comes when others are inspired to change. Stewart Gabel, author of
<Power, Leadership, and transformation: the Potential for Influence,= and a part of the
Department of Psychiatry at the University of New York, defined a powerful leader as one who
is charismatic, wise, and honors their followers.8
These characteristics are the framework for a leader who will bring about change and
encourage others to follow them. A powerful Chistian leader looks similar to this. A wise man is
one who has power, and that wisdom comes from above (Proverbs 24:5).9 A Christian leader is
4 Thomas chamorro-premuzic, <What Leadership Looks like in Different Cultures,= Harvard Business
Review, last modified May 6, 2016, accessed November 18, 2021, https://hbr.org/2016/05/what-leadersh
ip-looks-like-in-different-cultures.
5Ibid.
6Ibid.
7Stewart Gabel, <Power, Leadership and Transformation: the Doctor's Potential for Influence,= Medical
Education 46, no. 12 (December 2012): 1152-1160.
8Ibid.
9 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version (Biblica
(formerly International Bible Society, 1973).
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not one of themself. They follow the ways of the Lord and that wisdom makes them more
powerful than ten rulers in a city (Ecclesiastes 7:19). The Lord is wise beyond all measure, He is
the ultimate leader and holds ultimate power. As His children, Chsitians are vessels of His
wisdom. To have is wisdom, is to know Him and know His will. It is impossible to have the
wisdom and power of the Father if there is not a passion to seek and know His heart from within
one’s own heart.
Authority
Recognition of a leader’s authority is why others follow them. Power and
authority go hand and hand in leadership. Authority in leadership is not based upon making
change happen for personal gain, but the greater good of those who follow the leader and what
the leader believes.10 However, often it is seen that when leaders seek authority they focus on
fear. They make their followers fear them and therefore obey them.11
Scripture and the Lord are where Chsitians find their authority. The Lord alone
holds ultimate authority (Romans 13:1). As mentioned above, with authority comes an aspect of
fear that followers have for their leaders. God is pleased with those who fear Him and do His
will. With fear comes obedience; Christian success is based off of one’s obedience to the Lord
and therefore following, fearing, and fearing His perfect authority over those He loves. As His
vessels those who He bestoys His authority upon are led by His word and lead others by that
Word as well.
10
Patrick Granfield, <Church Authority Fascinating, Frustrating -- Authority and Leadership in the Church:
Past Directions and Future Possibilities by Thomas P. Rausch,= National Catholic Reporter 25, no. 37 (August 11,
1989): 21.
11
Anthony B Robinson, <Authority and Leadership in Ministry -- As One with Authority by Jackson W.
Carroll,= The Christian Century, May 20, 1992, p. 550.
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Servanthood
A leader, like mentioned before, is not driven by selfish motives. They are a servant to
their people and believe in something worth following. Amanda du Plessis, author of <Servant
leadership as part of spiritual formation of theological students in contextualisation of 21st
century theological training,= states that <A person who has a heart for people and serves them
whilst leading them practices servant leadership.=12 They are not motivated by gaining popularity
or wealth, but by serving others.13 It is common for servanthood to be defined separately from
leadership, but when defined together prominent positive leadership is present.
Leaders rooted in the Gospel with a servanthood mindset are driven by the calling of the
Lord. However, the process of servanthood begins with the ability and willingness to be open to
the Lord’s plan.14 Jesus, Himself, was a leader and the most prominent display of servanthood
leadership in the New Testament. He humbled Himself before others, gave selflessly and
earnestly. God even spoke of Christ’s servanthood stating he is His chosen Servant (Matthew
12:18). Servanthood leadership as displayed by Christ was gradual and patient.15 When
approaching others Christ sought to understand them and stop the ethnocentric ways commonly
practiced in society. Servanthood leadership still requires that same heart posture. As Christians
of a God who loves the nations there is no room for ethnocentrism or close-mindedness.16 One
way is never the right way for all. True servanthood means serving others by their needs not by
12 Amanda L du Plessis and Carol M Nkambule, <Servant Leadership as Part of Spiritual Formation of
Theological Students in Contextualisation of 21st Century Theological Training,= Hervormde Teologiese Studies 76,
no. 2 (2020).
13Ibid.
14Cheryl Doss, <Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility,= The Journal of
Applied Christian Leadership 3, no. 2 (2009): 64-67.
15Robert R. Moore and Stephen M. Stookey, <ProQuest Dissertations and Theses,= ProQuest Dissertations
and Theses, 2012, p. 289.
16Ibid.
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what is thought to be the best way to provide by one’s own definition. Seeking to learn,
understand, and accept others and their ways of life, beliefs, and values is true servanthood.
Kingdom Leadership
Power, Authority, and servanthood are clear characteristics of kingdom leadership.17
Moses is a prime example of someone God called to be a leader when He was told to deliver the
Lord’s people out of Egypt and was given power and authority when he submitted to the Lord
and in obedience became His servant (Exodus 4). Transformation happens when leadership shifts
from a self-seeking power and authoritative view into a humble submission to truth. The Apostle
Paul’s leadership was transformational.18 He began as a has man, a leader who was devoted to
stopping the movement of the Gospel, but was transformed by Christ and began to have
Kingdom leadership influencing thousands to follow Christ.
Kingdom leadership is all about the Lord. He is the King of all nations, every tribe, every
tongue. There is a calling placed upon the hearts of those who follow Him to be Kingdom
leaders, devoted to loving His people. Having a heart for the diversity of the world, the beauty of
each people group, and making it a mission and passion for making His name known to the ends
of the Earth. It is possible when Kingdom leaders give Him the authority, and He therefore
empowers those who serve Him.
Conclusion
The ultimate leader is the Lord. He has commanded those who love him to make His
name known to the nations. From the ends of the Earth different leaders have emerged. Each
leader is unique and successful in their own culture, one not any more superior than another.
17<BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP,= Jerusalem Post, September 29, 1991, accessed November 18, 2021,
https://www.proquest.com/central/docview/321035016/4CB6D94F2A3A433FPQ/5?accountid=12085.
18
Michael Cooper, <The Transformational Leadership of the Apostle Paul: A Contextual and Biblical
Leadership for Contemporary Ministry,= Christian Education Journal 2, no. 1 (2005): 48-61.
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There is beauty in culture, diversity, different leadership, and people groups of all kinds.
However, when being a Christian leader, the remembrance is rooted in scripture, and giving the
authority and power to Him is most important. To be a Kingdom leader, the first step is to be a
follower of the one true leader.
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Bibliography
<BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP.= Jerusalem Post, September 29, 1991. Accessed November
18,2021. https://www.proquest.com/central/docview/321035016/4CB6D94F2A3
A433FPQ/5?accountid=12085.
Cooper, Michael. "The Transformational Leadership of the Apostle Paul: A Contextual and
Biblical Leadership for Contemporary Ministry." Christian Education Journal 2, no. 1
(Spring, 2005): 48-61, http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A
%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fscholarly-journals%2Ftransformational-leadership-
apostle-paul%2Fdocview%2F205457715%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D12085.
Chamorro-premuzic, Thomas. <What Leadership Looks like in Different Cultures.= Harvard
Business Review. Last modified May 6, 2016. Accessed November 18, 2021.
https://hbr.org/2016/05/what-leadership-looks-like-in-different-cultures.
Doss, Cheryl. <Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility.= The
Journal of Applied Christian Leadership 3, no. 2 (2009): 64–67. Accessed November 19,
2021. http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%
2Fscholarly-journals%2Fcross-cultural-servanthood-serving-world%2Fdocview%2F7550
46636%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D12085.
Du Plessis, Amanda L, and Carol
M Nkambule. <Servant
Leadership
as
Part of
Spiritual
Formation of Theological Students in Contextualisation of 21st Century Theological
Training.= Hervormde Teologiese Studies 76, no. 2 (2020). Accessed November 19, 2021.
http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proque
st.com%2Fscholarly-journals%2Fservant-leadership-as-part-spiritual-formation%2Fdocv
iew%2F2434670235%2Fse-2.
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LEADER EFFECTIVE? SITUATIONAL FACTORS DETERMINING THE ROLE OF
INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE IN LEADERSHIP PERFORMANCE
CONCLUDING REMARKS REFERENCES.= The American Behavioral Scientist
(pre-1986) 24, no. 5 (1981): 619. Accessed November 19, 2021.
http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fscholarl
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id%3D12085.
Gabel, Stewart. <Power, Leadership and Transformation: the Doctor's Potential for Influence.=
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2021. http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com
%2Fscholarly-journals%2Fpower-leadership-transformation-doctors-potential%2Fdocvie
w%2F1432321421%2Fse-2.
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Future
Possibilities
by Thomas
P.
Rausch.=
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and
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in
Ministry -- As One with Authority by
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