The biblical view of leadership: serving others first

There’s a distinct difference between leading with self-interest and leading with a servant’s heart.

This difference hinges on perspective. Leading with self-interest often places personal gain or power at the forefront, clouding genuine intentions.

Leading as a servant, however, prioritizes the needs of others and fosters a culture of empathy and selflessness.

The Bible offers profound insights on this servant-style leadership and I believe it’s a model we should strive to follow.

In this article, we’ll delve into the biblical perspective on leadership. We’ll see how putting others first isn’t just noble, it’s divine.

So, join me as we explore “The biblical view of leadership: serving others first”.

1) Emulating Christ

The Bible doesn’t leave us guessing about how to lead; it provides a clear role model in Jesus Christ.

And His leadership style was radically different from the norm. It wasn’t about dominance or personal gain. Instead, He led with humility and selflessness.

Remember the poignant scene at the Last Supper? Jesus took on the role of a servant, washing the feet of His disciples. This was a task usually assigned to the lowest servant in the household. Yet, here was Jesus, the Son of God, doing it.

In John 13:15, He said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

This act wasn’t just a display of humility; it was an explicit call to servant leadership.

If we want to lead biblically, we need to follow His example. We must put aside our pride and ego and serve those we lead.

And yes, it’s not easy. But when we lead like Christ, we not only influence others effectively but also honor God in our leadership.

2) Personal experience

In my own journey as a leader, I’ve found the servant leadership model to be transformative.

Years ago, I was leading a team on a community project. Initially, I was all about getting the job done, assigning tasks and expecting results. But something felt off. The team seemed disengaged and performance was lagging.

Then, I came across the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet in the Bible. It struck me deeply – the concept of serving others as a form of leadership.

So, I decided to shift my approach. Instead of just assigning tasks, I started to engage with my team on a personal level. I listened to their concerns, supported them in their challenges, and rolled up my sleeves to work alongside them when needed.

The change was palpable. The team became more engaged, more committed, and our project turned out to be a great success.

This personal experience taught me the power of servant leadership. It showed me that leading isn’t about barking orders from a high pedestal; it’s about being in the trenches with your team and serving them first.

3) Rooted in ancient wisdom

The concept of servant leadership isn’t a novel idea or modern management jargon. Its roots can be traced back to the oldest book in the Bible, the book of Job.

Job 29:15-16 reads, “I was eyes to the blind and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out.”

Here, Job positions himself as a servant to those in need, providing help and seeking justice for them. This is a clear example of servant leadership — using one’s position not for personal gain but to serve others.

In essence, the biblical view of leadership has always been about serving others first. It’s a timeless principle that has been guiding leaders for millennia.

4) Encouraging growth

Another key aspect of servant leadership is the focus on the growth and well-being of those you lead.

And the Apostle Paul is an excellent example of this. Throughout his letters in the New Testament, Paul consistently encourages, advises, and supports the early Christian communities.

In Thessalonians 5:11, he writes, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Paul’s leadership wasn’t about maintaining status or control. He valued the growth of his followers and worked tirelessly to help them become better Christians.

As leaders, we too should strive to foster growth in those we lead. It’s not about creating followers, but nurturing future leaders. This shift in focus can truly influence our teams and organizations in a positive and lasting way.

5) Exhibiting patience and forgiveness

Leading with a servant’s heart also requires a great deal of patience and the ability to forgive, as modeled by Jesus Christ throughout His ministry.

Look at the story of Peter, one of Christ’s closest disciples. He denied knowing Jesus three times on the night of His arrest. Yet, after His resurrection, Jesus didn’t cast Peter aside. Instead, He forgave him and reaffirmed His love for Peter.

This is a powerful lesson in leadership. In our interactions with those we lead, there will be disappointments and failures. However, like Christ, we should respond with patience and forgiveness.

These qualities not only strengthen relationships but also create a safe environment where people are not afraid to take risks or make mistakes. And that’s where real growth happens.

6) The power of love

The most powerful tool in the servant leader’s repertoire is love. And no one exemplified this more than Jesus.

In John 13:34, Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

This isn’t a mere suggestion, but a command. Jesus didn’t just talk about love; He lived it out through His service to others.

As leaders, we should strive to lead with love. This means genuinely caring for those we lead, empathizing with their struggles, and celebrating their successes.

Love humanizes leadership. It breaks down barriers, fosters trust, and ultimately makes us more effective leaders.

This might be a challenging concept in a world where leadership is often associated with power and control. But remember, we’re called to a different standard – a biblical standard that puts love at the core of leadership.

7) Overcoming ego

Leadership can be a tricky terrain to navigate, especially when it comes to dealing with one’s ego. I’ve been there.

In my early years of leadership, I often found myself seeking validation and approval. I wanted to be liked and admired. I wanted my decisions to be unquestioned.

But as I delved deeper into the biblical teachings of leadership, I realized that this ego-driven approach was far from what was expected of me as a leader.

Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

This verse was a wake-up call. It made me realize that leadership isn’t about self-promotion or being in the limelight. It’s about serving others and valuing them above ourselves.

Since then, my approach to leadership has drastically changed. And honestly, it’s a constant journey of self-check and humility. But it’s worth every step.

8) Praying for wisdom

In the Bible, there’s a story of a young king who, when asked by God what he desired, chose wisdom above all else. This was King Solomon, and his leadership is still admired today.

James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

As leaders, we are often faced with tough decisions and complex situations. It’s in these moments that we need divine wisdom the most.

Praying for wisdom isn’t a sign of weakness. Instead, it shows our reliance on God and our desire to lead according to His will.

So, don’t shy away from asking for wisdom in your leadership journey. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal.

9) Leading by example

At the heart of biblical leadership is leading by example. It’s not about dictating from a distance, but showing the way through our own actions and behavior.

Jesus didn’t just tell His disciples to love one another; He showed them how by washing their feet, feeding the hungry, and ultimately laying down His life for them.

As leaders, our actions carry weight. They set the tone for the culture we want to build and the values we want to instill.

So, let us strive to lead by example. Let our actions mirror the teachings of Jesus. Let us serve first, love unconditionally, and lead with humility. This is the biblical view of leadership.

Final thoughts: Leadership as service

The essence of biblical leadership can be distilled into one powerful concept: leadership as service.

This principle, as modeled by Christ, is not about power or control but about putting others first. It’s about washing feet, showing love, and leading with humility and grace.

It’s a radical departure from some of the accepted norms of leadership we see today. But when adopted, it can transform not just the leader but also those they lead.

In Matthew 20:26-28, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

As we reflect on these words, let us reevaluate our own approach to leadership. Are we leading for our benefit or for the benefit of others? Are we serving or being served? Are we following the biblical model of leadership?

In the end, it’s not about titles or positions; it’s about influence. And the greatest influence comes from a heart that serves others first.