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Servant Leadership: The Master’s Method
The kingdom of God was a theme that had high priority in the teachings of Jesus. It addresses the idea that we are all participants in one mission, and that our mission is linked to why Jesus came to earth, and what He intends to accomplish. Lone Rangers need not apply. In kingdom of God terms, methods and motives intermingle to produce clear marching orders for the Church. We work as a team; Jesus is undisputed Lord! 
   In Matthew 18:4, Jesus says, “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Learning to live humbly as servant leaders in the kingdom of God is our task.
What does it mean to lead as servants in the kingdom of Christ? These discussion starters set the table: 
   1. Servants of the King know, love, and obey their Lord above everyone and everything else. Are there competitors for your loyalties, affections, or obedience? 
   2. Servants of the King are neither totally at home nor fully comfortable in any kingdoms of this world. In what ways can we manifest the biblical concept of shalom? Do you agree that shalom includes well-ordered relationships, justice, stability, and material well-being? 
   3. Servants of the King are seekers of the Kingdom and not empire-builders. What fruit will be evident in our lives if we are kingdom-seeking? 
   4. Servants of the King excel in righteousness and practice a prophetic spirituality. Are we spreading the righteousness of Christ in our world? How comfortable does this make us? 
   5. Servants of the King are indifferent to worldly gain and recognition. How well are we doing? Is giving up prosperity for poverty the point? 
   6. Servants of the King are disciplined people, striving for excellence in all areas of life. Do we stand against mediocrity and contentment with the status quo? How do we do that graciously? 
   7. Servants of the King refuse to divorce theory and practice—word and deed. How can we consistently be the transforming agents God desires? 
   8. Servants of the King are not religious tourists but engaged citizens of God’s kingdom among the kingdoms of this world. Are we behaving in a manner that serves God and His people? 
   9. Servants of the King have a comprehensive vision. Is it God’s calling for us to develop a non-sectarian ecclesiology and an evangelical base for socio-political ethics, seek the welfare of society, promote peace, be agents of reconciliation, monitor human rights, and speak for truth, justice, and minorities? How do we do these things and not be overwhelmed? 
   10. Servants of the King are concerned for the unity of all God’s people. How do we tackle the problem of the evangelical family being dysfunctional, fragmented, and having too much in-fighting? 
   11. Servants of the King are holy people, people of prayer and praise, full of the Holy Spirit. Is our lifestyle marked by dependency upon Christ as well as gratefulness, joy, holiness, and a simple life-style? 
   12. Servants of the King have a memory and a hope. We are commissioned to preach the good news to all nations. Are we doing that?  

Ground Rules for Discussion in Decision-Making Groups
Consider having your decision group establish ground rules for discussion. This can be done in a regular board meeting when the agenda is not too heavy. The discussion about discussion, in itself, will likely improve discussion in the future. Here are five starter rules you might want to consider: 
   1) Equality—Everyone has the right and responsibility to speak and the group has the responsibility to listen. 
   2) Speak for yourself—Use “I” statements rather than “you” statements; so “I feel pressured” is preferred over “You are pressuring me.”
   3) Address issues rather than persons—It is preferable to say, “I would like to discuss the purchase of a new bus,” rather than, “I want to discuss Tom’s bus idea.”
   4) Don’t interrupt. 
   5) Avoid controlling and pejorative language—Rather than, “When you consider all the facts you will see it my way,” try, “I have been thinking about this idea for a while but I know I haven’t thought of all the implications.”

 

Vol. 2, No. 17

In This Issue

• Servant Leadership: The Master’s Method
• A Leader’s Credo
• Ground Rules for Discussion in Decision-Making Groups
• John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer

 ISI – a practice of ministry component of the Soul Care ministry of Clergy Development, USA/Canada Mission/Evangelism Department of the Church of the Nazarene. Daniel Copp, director.

Developed and edited by
Dan Whitney and Neil Wiseman

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A Leader’s Credo

Here’s a measuring stick, suitable for framing, against which you can measure your leadership style: 

• I believe in VISION—”Only He who can see the invisible can do the impossible.”

• I believe in INTEGRITY—”Integrity is the cornerstone of a free society.”

• I believe in ENTHUSIASM—”Enthusiasm is a catalyst that produces miracles.”

• I believe in TIMING—”Timing is the art of knowing when to say WHEN.”

• I believe in PEOPLE—”Mutual respect—caring—genuine appreciation.”

• I believe in SUCCESS—”Dreams with a deadline + dedication + determination = success”

— The Modular Course of Study, Leadership

 

 

 

 

Wesley’s Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own, but Yours. 
   Put me to what You will, Rank me with whom You will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You.
Exalted for You or brought low by You.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine, and I am Yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, Let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

 

 

Editor’s Note: HB London and Neil have a new book entitled The Shepherd’s Covenant, published by Regal Publishing, if you wish to explore the covenant idea even more.
Neil and Dan

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