Introduction
Understanding types of leadership (i.e., servant leadership and visionary leadership) that
are themes throughout the Bible are paramount to religious leaders and those aspiring as they
will build from the basics of these themes. Jesus Christ lived a life of humility, leading by
example, while he spread the Word of God with an underlying theme of love and unity. As He
developed his apostles into servant leaders through his example, they then had the ability to
continue the work that Jesus sent them out to do when He spoke to them after he was resurrected
from the dead.
Jesus stated to his apostles, “Go out into the world and preach the gospel to every
creature.” (Mark 16:15-18) As human beings, this does not always come naturally. People tend
to be afraid of what others may think and speak of them, therefore increasing their stress as they
work to spread the Word. The result of this can make being an evangelist more stressful and our
words be presented where the listener receives them in a “holier than thou” tone.
With the current geopolitical overtones being spouted from news outlets, social media
platforms, and celebrities, it becomes difficult to convince others that we should be working
toward a more loving and unified community, country, and world. Strong opinions about
sensitive topics cause people to take sides. In recent years, instead of people letting others
believe what they may or being humble enough to listen to other opinions, friendships, and
families become divided and torn apart.
Understanding the challenges that Christians face in a world of sin, we need to humbly
lead others toward Christ’s vision through acts of love and unity. Embedding these themes in our
daily lives, no matter if we are in a church’s ministry role or are a member of a congregation,
will strengthen our efforts to provide Godly leadership to those around us.
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Humility
One of the leadership traits that people live by is, “Know yourself and seek self-
improvement.” This seems simple, but it is not always easy for us to look in the mirror and
admit that we have weaknesses that need to be addressed for us to be better people and leaders.
It takes humility and self-realization that we do not have all the answers ourselves. Objective
self-observations will bring to light our limitations and weaknesses. Seeking self-improvement
requires asking others for help and their honest opinions, and then listening to the feedback and
guidance that they provide.
In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus presents the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector where
the lesson is to understand your sins, acknowledge your actions, and ask God for forgiveness.
The Pharisee believed he was above others and was filled with pride. The tax collector humbly
admitted his wrongful actions and his sins against God and wished for mercy.
In one of Paul’s letters to the Philippians, he advises them to live humble lives like Christ
and imitate his actions. He encourages them to, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty
conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves,” (Philippians 2:3) Competition
and ego tend to get in our way. We should take the gift of Barnabas as an example where we
place the welfare of others before our own.1 As leaders, we must overcome looking out for
ourselves and maintain our focus on those that we are leading. We are not to focus on the
“WIFM” – “What’s in it for me?” – and what we are going to receive for what we are doing as
servant leaders. 2
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1 Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges and Phyllis Hendry. Lead Like Jesus Revisited: Lessons
from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time. (Nashville, TN: W. Publishing, 2016) pp.
79
2 Don. N. Howell, Jr. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership.
(Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, pp. 232)
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“Humility requires knowing whose you are and who you are.”3 First and foremost, we are
children of God. That as the cornerstone of our lives is a grounding measure. We know that we
are not the higher authority as we lead and teach. Acknowledging oneself as a child of God, then
we can ask ourselves the second question. This is where we establish our leadership approach
and leadership style inside what we accept as non-negotiable boundaries provided to us by our
Lord.4
Leading By Example
When we lead by example, we accept that there may be times when we want to, but
cannot, prioritize our own needs over the needs of those around us. Often in the military, there
are times when there is extreme discomfort and/or fear. Those in charge must ensure that their
subordinates have all that they require to be safe and healthy. Sometimes these circumstances
require us to give up a piece of cold-weather gear because someone forgot to bring it with them.
Sometimes it requires standing at a post on Christmas so that another can be home for the
holidays. Being willing to suffer physically, mentally, and emotionally demonstrates a leader’s
humility and inspires those around them. Even those not in our charge that witness our humble
acts can be affected and can then take on those same qualities.
Jesus Christ lived every moment of his journey with his apostles by example. The New
Testament speaks repeatedly about his compassion and his engagement with others so that his
followers learned to treat others as they wished to be treated. He also proved his willingness to
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3 Aubrey Malphurs. Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership (Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003) pp.39
4 Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges and Phyllis Hendry in Lead Like Jesus Revisited: Lessons
from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time. (W. Publishing, Nashville, TN, 2016) pp.
79
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serve others as Jesus did not see himself as above the people. “Now that I, your Lord and
Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example
that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his
master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:14-16)
The apostle Paul led by example. He wanted those that followed him to imitate his
actions. He told them, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (Corinthians
11:1) His evangelical mission brought him to many places where he preached the gospel and
built churches. Paul lived as an example for Christians to follow as he worked tirelessly to fulfill
what Christ had charged his disciples to do.
Peter was adamant that he would never deny Jesus. In fact, he states, “Even if I have to
die with you, I will not deny you!” (Matthew 26:35) Now, we all know he then denied Christ
three times when he could have chosen to stand for Him. This scenario aside, Peter led by
example by being the first to allow Jesus to wash his feet. His example then persuaded the other
disciples to follow suit. Following the death and resurrection of our Lord, Peter’s preached the
gospel across the Roman empire. Ever facing threats of persecution and possibly death, he built
a path for others to follow and be successful in their evangelical mission.
Paul outlines in a letter to Timothy five areas in which he needs “to set an example for
others to observe and imitate: speech, manner of conduct, self-sacrificing love, trust in God, and
personal purity.”5
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5 Don. N. Howell, Jr. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership.
(Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2003). pp. 246
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Love and Unity
The people of the world have always been bound by Satan but can be saved by the grace
of God if we seek him and ask for His forgiveness. Due to advances in information technology
over the last few decades, individuals can reach and influence large swaths of populations in
ways that were never thought imaginable. One of the greatest threats to religion, and
Christianity in particular, are a lack of love in this type of messaging. A significant number of
posts crossing our paths through Facebook, Twitter, and blogs are meant to be divisive.
Overcoming this type of high-tech broadcasting with a message of love and unity can be difficult
and frustrating for leaders.
Love and unity are a singular theme in the New Testament. If we are to build unity in a
community that grows on a nationwide and worldwide scale, we must begin by teaching and
embracing acts of love. Love brings us together as human beings. Giving, rather than receiving,
brings peace and harmony to our hearts.
As leaders, one of our greatest focuses is unity. Without unity, there is no church.
Without unity, there is no Christian faith. Personally steering clear of and professionally
eliminating controversy allows us to lead through example by not partaking in conflict and
therefore uniting people or groups who are at odds over an issue.6 Our calling is to bring people
together as followers of Christ who walk in His light and speak His truth so that others may learn
from us and unify us as one people of God.
____________________
6 Don. N. Howell, Jr. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership.
(Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, pp. 293)
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Conclusion
Each of these themes has its own significant challenges for leaders to overcome. Adding
to these trials, leaders must learn supporting skillsets to be successful. As we grow in our roles,
they then must master these skillsets so that they thrive in their positions as servant leaders.
Developing and nourishing an environment of love and unity through setting the example
as a humble leader can set a community in motion to accomplish their goals while remaining
positive throughout the journey. To begin leading a humble life, we must reach deep inside
ourselves and find that place where we allow ourselves to open our hearts and minds to ideas that
may not feel comfortable. Sometimes self-image does not allow this. But instead of succumbing
to this reflex, we can reflect on God creating us in His own image and then work toward the path
that of the Son of Man who was the epitome of living and leading thorough humility.
No matter where people find their place in a congregation, bible study, or group of fellow
Christians, they can lead or influence those around them. Once they establish themselves as
someone that positively inspires others, they then may feel empowered to move on to become a
visionary leader. In this capacity, they can feel comfortable selflessly leading lead their flock,
which has a common understanding of their mission, toward a common end state.
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Bibliography
Blanchard, Ken, Hodges, Phil and Hendry, Phyllis. “Lead Like Jesus Revisited: Lessons from the
Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time.” (W. Publishing, Nashville, TN, 2016).
Howell, Jr, Don N. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership. (Wipf & Stock
Publishers, Eugene, OR: 2003).
Malphurs, Aubrey. “Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership” (Baker
Books, Grand Rapids, MI. 2003).
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