Liberty University
Study Response 4
An Assignment
Submitted to Dr. Kimberly A. Martin
Principles of Leadership for the Worship Leader
WRSP 530
By
Rachel Morway
Morway
This week’s reading of Spiritual Leadership discusses the sheer importance and benefit of
leading like Jesus would. Sanders mentions two great statements that sum up Jesus’ leadership
principle of servanthood that are sure to have anyone rethink the way they conduct their
ministries. First, he states that “true greatness, true leadership, is achieved not by reducing men
to one’s service but in giving oneself in selfless service to them.”1 Second, he exclaims that “the
true leader regards the welfare of others rather than his own comfort and prestige as of primary
concern.”2 It is obvious that Jesus’ main priority is people, and this should also be ours as we
attempt to minister to them, leading them to Christ in the process.
I believe that I have been moderately successful in living out and demonstrating the
reality of the aforementioned statements. I have been treated as a servant by someone in ministry
growing up, and it has had a profound impact on how I conduct myself in ministry to this day. I
come from a strong belief system that we are to treat people as people and not as resources. I
have been treated like a resource in past ministry experiences, and it does not make for an
effective or healthy ministry. It causes church hurt and many other issues down the road, and it
honestly does not please God in the least. This why I have always made it a top priority of mine
to treat the people I lead like they truly matter. I want them to know that I care more about them
as a person than anything they can offer the church.
If someone were to use servanthood as a mere technique to advance themselves, I believe
that God will handle them in the way He sees fit. I have seen this type of thing happen time and
time again, and while ministries do grow, even with flawed leadership, eventually, the error of
their ways takes a toll on them personally and professionally. True servanthood comes from a
1 Oswald J. Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer. (Chicago, IL:
Moody Publishers, 1967), 152.
2 Ibid.
1
Morway
pure heart, and if a person’s motives are not in line with the Word of God, the Lord will judge
them and deal with them on His own.
In answer to the questions, “What ‘natural’ leadership qualities have others pointed out in
you? What have you done with those observations?” – I believe this particularly resonates with
areas I have struggled with in the past. People have always pointed out that I am self-confident,
ambitious, commanding and independent, which have helped me become a great leader.
However, I can very easily rely on these character traits rather than putting my trust in God and
allowing Him to shape my spiritual leadership. “A true leader influences others spiritually only
because the Spirit works in and through him to a greater degree than in those he leads.”3 Spiritual
leadership is not naturally in our DNA – we must learn through the guidance of the Holy Spirit
how to lead like Christ and to “lean not on our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).4
In answer to the question, “How have people you know learned humility?” – this is an
area that particularly resonates with me in my present ministry because it deals with ministers I
have observed in the past. When we observe others in leadership, we can always learn
something; we can either learn what to do or what not to do. Based on my observations over the
years, it seems to me the best way to learn humility is by failing. Scripture states that “all have
sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” and I believe this is firsthand how we come into
contact with the beautiful, saving grace of Jesus. We learn how to be humble when we hit rock
bottom, learning that we cannot get through life in our own strength and that we desperately need
the Lord’s help. “A leader’s humility should grow with the passing of years, like other attitudes
3 Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 31.
4 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version (Grand
Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995).
2
Morway
and qualities.”5 Becoming humble is a daily task that is built off of life experience, learning from
failures and mistakes and putting God in the center of it all.
In answer to the question, “How has He used you to prepare others for leadership?” – this
is an area that particularly resonates with me in my present ministry because that is what I love to
do most. I love to develop worship leaders and musicians in their giftings and also their spiritual
walks. When I first entered the ministry, I was more concerned with myself and trying to become
the best leader I could so that I could take the worship world by storm. After the years have
passed, I have realized that it is much more rewarding to watch others grow in their faith,
musicianship and leadership, and God has given me the tools to help others reach their fullest
potential in ministry.
Bibliography
5 Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 73.
3
