Leadership

Day 4


We were talking recently to a good friend of ours about the attributes of effective leaders; especially as it pertains to assisting those whom are experiencing homelessness. There are many different leadership styles ranging from very hands on to very hands off. Very hands on leaders tend to suffocate their staff and provide very little empowerment or encouragement. Very hands off leaders run the risk of being perceived as disconnected; detached from daily operations. Policies and procedures are delivered from on high. Reaction time is slowed due to poor interdepartmental communication.


Neither extreme is a great example of leadership. Both may achieve limited success but neither produce sustainable results. Connections needs a better model. Shortly after we began serving we were taught a better way called servant leadership. Servant leadership is based on the example set by Jesus. The Jews of Jesus’ day were expecting an earthly king to rival the Emperor of Rome; instead God sent his son as a servant. He walked among us as a homeless servant to the ones God loved. We can already hear your cynicism. “Sure Jesus can make Servant Leadership work, he’s God, this is the real world, the model does not stand a chance in today’s chaotic world.”


We held similar reservations but when you are entering a new place of ministry and recognize you have no discernible skills or experience, humility comes easily. We saw every person we came in contact with us as our teacher. Through those eyes we gained insight into how the world sees homelessness and how the homeless community sees the world. By God’s grace, as the years progressed, we found our servanthood had gained us respect by those we served and those who we served alongside. Jesus’ model was proven successful.


Success can be a blessing but it can also dangerous for a grassroots ministry. Today we are considered an authority on homelessness in Tallahassee. Suddenly, others want our opinion. Pridefulness stands near to ensnare us as a critical spirit of superiority lingers. When we knew nothing we formed relationships and connections; now there is an impulse to build a kingdom to rival the current system.


What if we just stay the course? What if we continue to see each person we come in contact with as our teacher? What if we modeled servanthood to our staff by serving them? What if the needs of other’s were placed before our own? Could an organization prosper by implementing these principals? Connections will adopt the servant leadership model, it is bible proven and ordained by God; it seems good to us and the Holy Spirit.


The following passage illustrates Jesus’ directions to his Apostles. After reading it, consider the differences between this model and the models we see employed in the world. Why did Jesus choose servant leadership instead of a more conventional leadership style?

John 13:2-17 (New Living Translation)
2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”
10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 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. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.