Jesus: A Leadership Example - Pt. 2
This is part two of a three part series that analyzes the leadership qualities of Jesus.
Serving Like Jesus
The servant leadership model illustrates an essential component of Jesus's leadership style. In John 13:4 – 6, Jesus provides a vivid example of the nature of this form of leadership. Following a meal, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples, a responsibility reserved for servants. Following this demonstration, Jesus tells the disciples that they, too, are to wash the feet of one another. Jesus is calling his disciples to serve one another, even as leaders. Jesus develops this in Matthew 20:20 – 28 as well. He notes the tendency of secular leaders to lord their leadership over others. Nevertheless, Jesus calls his followers to be different. Whoever would be great in the Kingdom of Heaven must serve. Paul alludes to this mindset in Philippians 2:1 – 5 as well. Paul encourages the Philippian church to look to the needs and interests of others above their own and to count others as more important than themselves.
Leaders must be first and foremost servants. They must look to the needs of others over themselves. Servant leaders must be willing to work for the good of others and even sacrifice their dreams or needs for the organization's good. They lead with a mindset of humility that recognizes the value of those they lead. Servant leaders are careful not to develop attitudes that view specific tasks beneath their calling.
Gifted by Jesus
The Trait Theory of Leadership suggests that leaders possess various traits contributing to their leadership ability and success (Northouse, 2016). A New Testament understanding of leadership believes that Jesus has gifted his followers with spiritual gifts for ministry. The apostle Paul provides multiple lists throughout his writings in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, and Ephesians 4:11. These lists provide an overview of the types of gifts that God has given to the local church. Each of these gifts varies in nature and their employment within the body of Christ.
Leaders need to spend time in prayer, self-examination, and reflection to discern how God has specifically gifted them for leadership. Tom Rath suggests that leaders must learn their areas of strength to be more effective as leaders (2007). Therefore, leaders need to discern how God has wired them to lead and seek to mature in these areas of giftings.
Correcting Like Jesus
Conflict and correction are a vital aspect of leadership. In John 4:1-26, Jesus demonstrates an essential balance of gentleness and firmness in dealing with conflict and correction. In this passage, Jesus converses with a Samaritan woman at a well. During this conversation, Jesus is gentle in
his engagement with the woman. He lovingly points her to the living water available if she believes in him as the Messiah. However, Jesus also demonstrates a sense of firmness by addressing her questionable lifestyle of failed marriages when she tries to dismiss him. The apostle Paul also models this mindset when he repeatedly calls his readers to model gentleness in their actions in passages such as 2 Timothy 2:24,25. However, he also demonstrates the ability to be firm in his confrontation with Peter in Galatians 2:11-14.
Leaders must seek to emulate this delicate balance in conflict resolution and the correction of others. A leader who maintains this balance can help promote healthy growth in the follower's life. A firm rebuke or correction can help an individual make valuable adjustments in their life. However, as a leader conducts this critique with gentleness, he helps to ensure the individual does not resent the correction.