True Biblical leadership is servant leadership. This concept is commonly taught in our Christian fellowships. Though few give a clear definition or description of what it would look like if we worked out true servant leadership. For many Christians today these two words, “servant” and “leadership” are an oxymoron. If we were more direct we would ask, “Aren’t these two words in reality contradictory and mutually exclusive? Has Jesus misled us and simply spoken nice sounding words with no practical application?”

At Quest Ministries we have consistently worked out and called all those we have discipled to the principle of “Servant Leadership.” That is why we consider this principle one of our three main pillars that identify our uniqueness in the Body of Christ.

Most people would agree that church history does not generally illustrate this concept of servant leadership. Burning people at the stake because they didn’t believe a certain doctrine doesn’t strike the average Christian as consistent with Jesus’ teaching about serving people. Excommunicating fellow Christians from the church and declaring them damned to hell because they translated Scripture into the common language of the people is not seen as fulfilling the Scripture’s command to serve others by accepting those with differing opinions (Romans 14:1-2).

So how does the Body of Christ stand out in the world when it comes to this issue of leadership? How can we distinguish and differentiate true servant leadership from the church’s tendency to be authoritative and controlling? The answer, we believe, is easily identified by those willing to read the words of Jesus and take them at face value. Let’s take a look at Jesus’ own words on the subject of leadership.

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. (Matt 20:25-26)

“But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. (Luke 22:26-27)

“For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:28)

“For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:28)

"Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—” (Matt 20:27)

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers." (Matt 23:10)

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

Obviously, all these statements of Jesus are found in the pages of Scripture.  However, most of us find it difficult to see how the Christian church in America is working them out in a practical way.  Perhaps the best way to gain clarity about this issue of servant leadership is to look to Jesus Himself.  Would you consider Jesus to be an example of true servant leadership? If so, then we should be able to look at His behavior and leadership style and determine what true servant leadership would look like.

Let’s begin by asking a few simple questions about Jesus and his approach to leadership.

• Did Jesus ever force someone to do something?
• Did Jesus ever compel anyone to follow Him or to obey His instructions?
• Did Jesus ever use authority or force to constrain someone to do something?
• Did Jesus every excommunicate someone out of the kingdom of God?
• Did Jesus work out the role of a slave-master or lord?
• Did Jesus ever respond to someone without humility?
• Did Jesus every make decisions for another person?

So let’s identify the characteristics and methods that Jesus used to lead His disciples and Israel closer to His Heavenly Father.

• Jesus was a teacher and persuader...using only words.
• Jesus’ authority flowed from His unwillingness to quote anyone other than His Father.
• Jesus called on those who listened to change their minds based on the truth He taught, not based on His position.
• Jesus valued each individual he met and put each one's life ahead of His own.
• Jesus led by example both in His character and His teaching.

Ray Stedman, a well known writer, preacher and leader at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto California said the following, “The ability of a servant to influence anyone else does not lie in ordering someone around, but by obtaining their voluntary consent. This is the nature of all authority among Christians, even that of the Lord himself! He does not force our obedience, but obtains it by love, expressed either in circumstantial discipline or by awakening gratitude through the meeting of our desperate needs.” (click here to read Ray Stedman's entire artical; A Pastor's Authority)

In light of these clear teachings of Jesus and the New Testament writers the following principles make up the third pillar of the ministry of Quest.

• We are to follow the example of servant leadership modeled by Jesus.
• Servant leadership and the use of positional authority in the church are incompatible.
• A true spiritual leader is one who serves like Jesus did.
• A true spiritual leader is one who refuses to “rule over” others.
• A true spiritual leader is one who would never “lord it over” others.
• A true spiritual servant leader is one who never uses force to mold behavior.
• A true spiritual leader is one who lays down his life for those he leads.
• A true spiritual leader is one who persuades others, with the goal of building faith in him.
• A true spiritual leader points to truth and would never call others to obey his position alone.