Serve to Lead!

“You don’t have to hold a position in order to be a leader.” – Henry Ford

How does this resonate with you? Does it sound… wrong?

It may be worth noting that sometimes leadership requires a person to expel their view of authority in a position to wear the true fabric of a leader. 

A Christian leader may need to strive for the Godly attribute of impartiality blanketed in humility (Romans 2:11; Philippians 2:4). 

Leaders are first servants. Servants who influence others to serve. This can be in multiple capacities.

This model can be used in business, family, and etc. But the process derives from the Scriptures and encompassed simply by what we call “Christian fellowship.” 

Follow along with me if you would in Paul’s address to the church in Philippi. 

Philippians 2:2-4 states, 

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Jesus, the Servant. Jesus, the King.

Paul furthers his discourse by offering the beauty of Christ’s Earthly ministry as the perfect servant and the authority that He holds eternally from the Father. 

Now no, we cannot be Jesus who illustrated leadership and humility in all perfectness. However we can practice leadership with a purpose like Paul states in verse 16 through 18. He writes,

“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”

Pure Godly leadership is sacrifice, service, and a joy.

Hold forth the word of life who is Jesus, Lord of all (Romans 10:9-10). He was the servant King on Earth and is the ruling King of Heaven who we are predestined to be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). 

Therefore, he justified us and called us out unto Himself (Romans 8:30).

This is for His glory. We are a part of the Body of Christ.

Each a functioning component with a leading role to fill (Romans 12:4-5).

For example, a hand leads the procession to grasp an object, however is useless if it doesn’t serve the Body to pick it up.

So once again I plead. Serve to lead. 

Do not conform to the world but instead be transformed by the renewing of your minds. Only then can we “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

Serve God. Serve others. Lead in servanthood.

Any other form of leadership will surely have its root in pride and its fall in misplaced authority that truly never was ours to wield (Romans 13:1; Philippians 2:9).

God bless!