BECOMING A HEALTHY LEADER: Developing A Servant Heart In Ministry Leadership

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “It is not our littleness that hinders Christ but our bigness.” This powerful statement reminds us of how pride and self-importance are major obstacles in ministry today. Sadly, many church leaders are adopting leadership styles that resemble worldly (Gentile) leadership rather than the servant-hearted leadership of Jesus Christ.

In this generation, when the Lord calls His ministers to shepherd His people, it is time for every heaven-minded leader to pause and examine themselves in light of this all-important subject: Developing a Servant Heart in Leadership.

May the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the perfect example of servant leadership, transform us into His likeness and raise us to lead like He led. Amen!

A. SCRIPTURAL TEXT – Matthew 20:25–28

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.’”

This scripture reveals two distinct leadership patterns:

1. Gentile (Worldly) Leadership, which is fleshly, carnal, and controlling.
2. Biblical Servant Leadership, which mirrors Christ’s humility and love.

Let’s explore the contrast between these two:

Traits of Gentile (Worldly) Leadership in the Church

• Acts like a boss – rules people forcefully.
• Behaves like a ruler – demands reverence and blind loyalty.
• Dominates and intimidates – rides over others like a tyrant.
• Abuses authority – those under him have no voice or freedom.
• Is oppressive, unjust, and arrogant – answers to no one.
• Runs a slave-master system – people are made to serve with stress and pressure.
• Lacks godly administration and accountability.
• Is obsessed with titles, ranks, and church positions.
• Functions like a politician – cunning, manipulative, and crafty.
• Is insecure – fears talented associates.
• Has a “Messiah complex” – resists correction and refuses fresh input.
• Despises youth – resists change and innovation.
• Clings to old, outdated methods that are no longer effective.
• Is selfish and uncaring – prioritizes personal comfort over people.
• Encourages hypocrisy – demands outward obedience instead of genuine heart transformation.

Traits of Biblical (Christlike) Servant Leadership

• Is a servant to all, like Christ (Mark 10:45).
• Leads by helping and empowering others.
• Works with a team spirit – values collaboration.
• Delegates responsibility and trusts others to deliver.
• Is God-fearing, fair, and just in dealings with people.
• Functions as a ladder – others rise through him.
• Releases and encourages others to fulfill their potential.
• Operates with accountability and sound administration.
• Is humble, sacrificial, and selfless.
• Is transparent, honest, and plain in all things.
• Is secure in Christ – celebrates the success of others.
• Welcomes ideas and creativity.
• Invests in youth and embraces positive change.
• Courageously reforms anything that no longer works.
• Is caring and sensitive to the needs of co-laborers.
• Fosters honesty, openness, and spiritual maturity.

A servant leader raises, empowers, equips, and releases others.
A good leader raises followers.
A great leader raises other leaders.
An outstanding leader raises leaders of leaders.

Negative Effects of Wrong Leadership in the Church

Unfortunately, the Gentile style of leadership has crept into the Church and has greatly contributed to spiritual decline and ministry failure. Consider these painful outcomes:

1. Frequent breakaways and loss of faithful members.
2. Strife and confusion in congregations.
3. Injustice, favoritism, and internal divisions.
4. Downward spiral of the church’s growth and influence.
5. Backsliding and poor testimony to the world.

B. CHARACTERISTICS OF GENTILE-STYLE LEADERSHIP

1. Functions as a boss rather than a brother.
2. Drives people harshly instead of leading gently.
3. Relies only on positional authority.
4. Inspires fear and dread, not faith and love.
5. Is obsessed with the word “I”.
6. Blames others when things go wrong.
7. Believes only his way is the right way.
8. Is manipulative and often abuses power.
9. Devalues people, seeing them as tools to serve vision.

C. CHARACTERISTICS OF SERVANT-STYLE LEADERSHIP

1. Functions as a leader and shepherd.
2. Coaches and mentors his people with patience.
3. Leads by influence, love, and spiritual authority.
4. Inspires courage and zeal, not fear.
5. Works with a “we” mindset, not a selfish “I”.
6. Solves problems, not shifts blame.
7. Demonstrates how things should be done.
8. Encourages, motivates, and strengthens others.
9. Honors people as essential to God’s vision.

Recommended Reading
Church Leaders And Moral Scandals
Top Ten Lessons from the Life of Saul
How To Stop Eating In The Dream (1) – New!

D. THE 10 “L’s” OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP

1. Love
   Servant leaders love God’s people deeply. Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15–17)
   Love for God and people is the foundation of true ministry.
2. Learn
   A servant leader is a lifelong learner. A teachable spirit is a mark of humility. (John 7:17)
3. Lift
   They are lifters of men – raising others spiritually, emotionally, and ministerially.
4. Ladder
   True servant leaders are platform builders – others climb to success through their support.
5. Legacy
   They live and lead with the next generation in mind. They leave behind a godly heritage.
6. Labour
   Servant leadership is not for the lazy. It requires hard work, sacrifice, and diligence.
7. Life
   The leader’s personal walk with God is the lifeline of his leadership. The purity of his life defines the power of his ministry.
8. Limit
   Every leader has limitations. Recognizing your limits and allowing God to stretch you is the path to growth.
9. Landmines
   Spiritual leadership faces oppositions and traps. A servant leader must be spiritually discerning and battle-ready in prayer.
10. Levels
    Servant leaders grow from level to level. They do not jump process, but prepare faithfully at one level for the next.

CONCLUSION

The Church of Jesus Christ is not a political institution or a corporate enterprise. It is a spiritual house, and our Lord calls us to serve, not to lord over His people. If we will walk in Christ’s footsteps, we must reject the Gentile way and embrace the servant-hearted leadership of the Master. May the Lord raise in our generation leaders who lead like Jesus. Amen.