Week 30: Leadership

• Key verses: Mark 10:42-45; John 13:12-17
• Servant leadership
• Washing feet, symbolism or practice?
• Parting thoughts

Key verses

Mark 10:42-45 (NLT)

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:12-17 (NLT)

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”

Servant leadership

Since my teenage years, I have been taught about servant leadership. I think I was exposed to a lot of this because I was preparing for the ministry. Regardless, this principle is important for everyone, and it’s not dependent upon your job or position.

Jesus sets the example. We must serve to be good leaders. For those of us who don’t have positions of leadership, you are mentors, parents, and influencers. The blessings of service are available to all, believers and unbelievers alike.

Here are two examples of servant leaders who impacted my life and leadership style.

• Al Bower. Al drove the bus for my church when I was a teenager. He and I worked together to bring disadvantaged children to church each Sunday. Brother Al had been serving in ministry for years, but he was humble enough to let me lead. He was a great mentor.
• Greg Frankenfield. Greg was the president and co-owner of Magenic. He is probably the single greatest influence on my leadership style. He consistently said that the consultants were the reason Magenic was successful. He took care of me and my family. My wife liked him and Magenic. I tried to take care of the people I managed and their families as well. I wanted spouses to want their spouses to work on my team.

Being a good servant leader has many flavors. Be humble and remember it’s about others not yourself.

Washing feet, symbolism or practice?

Through the years, I have seen, heard of, and even participated in foot washing ceremonies. What I find disturbing is that they are just ceremonial. When Jesus did it, he was actually serving others not just creating a ceremony.

While I understand the intention of the ceremony, it misses the point. In Jesus’ day foot washing was a practical act of service like taking someone’s coat when they enter your home. When my boys were growing up, they were in Scouts whose motto is “Do a good turn daily.” Isn’t this what Jesus would do?

Jesus calls us to serve in the small ways every day.

Parting thoughts

We often think we need to serve in some big way to make it count. This is lame. And it is often an excuse not to serve. Do the little things well. Hold the door. Take a coat. You get the idea. Make serving routine. Every day.