Robert Greenleaf coined the phrase “servant leadership” in 1970. This idea became a counterpoint to power-based, hierarchical models of how we lead. Many others (Peter Drucker, Max DePree, Peter Senge, Ken Blanchard, etc.) later added harmonies to the melody, signaling notes about leaders:
• Listening, taking input, and empathizing rather than commanding and controlling;
• Being stewards of the responsibility and resources with which they have been entrusted;
• Attending to the needs of colleagues and customers rather than using them as means to an end.
John Chandler
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One eager and profitable adopter of this servant leadership model in contemporary culture is Southwest Airlines. “We build our pyramid a bit different,” says president Colleen Barrett.
But of course, this is not a new concept to followers of Jesus, who said, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26) a long time before 1970. So while you can’t exactly say that servant leadership is a new trend, one of the most exciting trends we are seeing in more and more churches is an intentional casting of leadership through the lens of discipleship. Where do we find the best leaders? We look for the best disciples.
A discipleship lens grounds leadership in radical followership. Just as Jesus radically followed his heavenly Father, so Christians radically follow Jesus. More and more, the credibility of the Christian leader is tied to her or his listening and responding to the Lord. It’s not personal charisma, giftedness, or extroversion that matters. It is authentic attention and responsiveness to our leader Jesus that counts.
I see more congregational leaders trying to structure their lives in such a way that they will be able to listen and respond to God. They value revelation more than invention. They base action on prior reflection. They intentionally dial back life’s volume and pace in order to place themselves in position to hear, and only then act. They unapologetically live out Kingdom responsibility from a base of covenant relationship.
It’s a humble and quiet way to be a part of something great and large.
Trending is written by John Chandler, leader of the Spence Network, www.spencenetwork. org./equip.htm. Coming next: Rhythm of life.