The Heart of a Servant Leader

"Whatever you do,  do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve" (Colossians 3:23-24, New American Standard Bible). 

Serving God and others is something that is evident in Christ's life on earth. He reached out to love others, and as He did that, He honored God. Our Lord can give us the heart to serve others, even as leaders. In the following link, Jaye Martin writes of what servant leadership looks like biblically: "The Heart of a Servant Leader" (link connects to www.buildingchurchleaders.com; managed by Christianity Today).

Photo from smallgrouppastors.com

More of Jesus 2012!

"And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people" Luke 2:52 (HCSB)

2012 A Year To Increase In JESUS! That is one of the deepest prayers of my heart for the New Year...that Jesus will Increase in my life so that I will keep growing in wisdom, stature, and favor with God to reach others for Jesus!

Mary - the Humble Servant

“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant” (Luke 1:46-48a, ESV).

Mary is my hero! She magnified the Lord, rejoiced with God, and stayed humble in the middle of it all. In her song found in Luke 1:46-55, we see that she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah partly because she was humble. She wasn't seeking this high position. She rejoiced when she found her calling. There was no press release, she didn't Tweet about it, and she didn't post photos on Facebook of her growing belly. :) She just rejoiced before the Lord and with Elizabeth's family. Mary kept things in perspective and chose to be the humble servant chosen to carry our Lord.

This Christmas, I want to be like Mary. There are many things to do and many of them servant-oriented. What I do will not be known to the world, in fact few will notice. I doubt that anyone will know how much shopping (gifts and groceries) I have done, how much cooking, how many gifts I have wrapped, how much time I have spent in the kitchen, how many towels and sheets I will wash, or how much work goes into hosting family and friends. I didn't say it would not involve some fun in there but there is much to do and for the most part, it won't be known.

As I write this, it is the weekend before Christmas. Family and friends start arriving on Tuesday and if I were to stop and write a to-do list, I would never finish writing (so I had better get busy)! I'm concentrating on being like Mary. (Of course, that is like making a public declaration for the enemy to use.) I'm going to think about the outcome of Christmas and look for how I can serve my family and others - without griping. I'm going to try to work and serve as unto the Lord - at least I'm going to start each day trying to allow God to serve through me without the fanfare.

Will you join me? I pray that we all have a "Mary" Christmas!

The Heart of a Servant Leader

“Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God.” Ephesians 6:6 (The Message)

The heart is the very seat of our soul, our emotions, and our passions. It is the very essence of our being and that which drives our thoughts and our motives. No wonder God tells us to guard our hearts! “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV).

The heart of a leader is the very foundation of her life. It is what drives her passion for the Lord and her passion for service in the kingdom. There is no doubt that most of us feel called to lead in a very deep way from the bottom of our hearts.

And yet, with seemingly little notice, out of our hearts can spew some of the most ungodly thoughts and attitudes…even in the midst of ministry. It was only a few weeks ago that something happened that totally unnerved me. Surely you know the feeling. I was less than thrilled with a situation (and in particular with one of my many bosses) and was just about to share from the seat of my emotions the most spirit-filled reaction to what was happening when God intervened. The person was not there for me to share with! And now I thank God for that. My spirit-filling was not coming from God; it was coming from the enemy. Even though I felt righteous in my motive, it certainly was not the best way to handle things. As leaders, we must be constantly aware that the enemy will do everything he can to render us ineffective in service to our Lord.

I had to come before the Lord and pray to Him, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” Psalm 51:10 (NIV). “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” Psalm 86:11 (NIV). “Refresh my heart in Christ” Philemon 1:20b (NIV). God gave me His promise in response, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV).

To be a servant leader, sometimes we just need to keep in mind that we are servants first and leaders second. We must learn to model Christ-like servanthood in every situation. God has chosen us to lead. Not only must we be strong and do the work, we must be strong in our wholehearted devotion to Him and remember Who we are working for! He is in control of every situation. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV).

“’And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.’” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (NIV)

Note: written several years ago for Christianity Today's Gifted for Leadership website.

FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real!

"Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you...For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment."

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (HCSB)



As we prepare to share Jesus with others, the enemy uses one of his tricks to cause us to NOT witness...FEAR=False Evidence Appearing Real! God is not the author of FEAR, and through His Spirit He causes us to "FEAR NOT"!

I would like to share with you three FEARS that the enemy uses to put out the fire of Godly courage in our gifted2go lives:

1. FEAR of Rejection! Truth that will set us free from fear=we WILL be rejected by people as a witness for Jesus...BUT we will NEVER be rejected by God! "I ask, then, has God rejected His people? Absolutely not!" Romans 11:1 (HCSB)


2. FEAR of Failure! Truth that will set us free from fear=we WILL fall short as a witness for Jesus...BUT we will NEVER be forsaken by God! "...I will never leave you or forsake you..." Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB)


3. FEAR of the Future! Truth that will set us free from fear=we WILL not be in control of the results as a witness...BUT we can leave the future up to our Faithful God that is Always in Control! "So, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (HCSB)

A "Gifted2Go" Word of Testimony: As a first-generation Christian, from the age of 22 when I first heard the name of Jesus, God called me to share Him with others from the day that I accepted Him as my Savior. I will never forget my first pastor sharing with me the very day that I became a Christ Follower for me to "Go, and Share with Everyone What Had Just Happened In My Life"...that is what I did, because FEAR was not something that I was feeling in my new LIFE in Christ, it was a moment full of FAITH! My first day as a believer I went door to door on my street as I shared with my neighbors how I had just given my life to Jesus; the responses from my neighbors were mixed from words of affirmation & joy as I learned that some of my neighbors said to me "that they had been praying for me and my husband (it was clear that we needed the Lord-Lost people look like Lost people!), but there were also some negative reactions from some of my neighbors and extended family that were not believers yet. With each negative reaction the enemy tried over and over to discourage me from being God's witness through the rejection that turned into the fears that I listed above...that is where the importance of discipleship and evangelism training came into my life (PTL!)...with every TRUTH that I learned and lived out from God & His Word, The Holy Spirit turned my FEAR into FAITH not just once but over and over again even up to this day 26 years later since the very time that I first heard the name of JESUS and ran to HIM with ALL MY HEART and made the sold-out commitment to follow Him and Share Him as His "Evangelistic Concerned for Others: Gifted2Go" Witness!!

What specific FEAR is stopping you from being God's Witness? Will you join me in giving God all of our FEAR as we exchange FEAR for FAITH? YES, LORD!! "...Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness, access, and confidence through faith in Him"!! Ephesians 3:12 (HCSB)

Enjoy these 2 songs that remind us that God has set us FREE from the chains of all FEAR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-mNT0axB9U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrO5KGCNGHM

Thank You For Your Service!

"Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and have made a good confession before many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12 (HCSB)

"For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love." Galatians 5:13 (HCSB)

On this day, Veterans Day (the 11th Day of the 11th Month) we pause to thank God for all that have served and sacrificed for the sake of Freedom...Freedom is not Free...many have paid a price we could not pay as we thank and remember all who serve!

As we thank God for those that have served and sacrificed much, let's evaluate our life in Christ, a life of service, and continue to "fight the good fight for the faith....to which you were called" until the Lord returns...

The word "veteran" is listed below from "dictionary.com"...as we read the meanings listed, let us take hold of each opportunity to thank God, honor His servants, and allow this day to cause us all to be found faithful in the good fight for which the Lord took hold of us as believers. Let us look around and share Jesus, as His servant witness, to someone that needs the Lord. Jesus is our ultimate example of a Veteran-Servant of all Servants! Will you join the few, the called, the forgiven and share Jesus with others? Praying for all veterans as we all strive to be servants for the Lord...here we are Lord, send Us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c-dgz9Ykvo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WKAVJ3ifv8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzBMM37oB6U

(from dictionary.com)

"Veteran"

–noun
1. a person who has had long service or experience in an occupation, office, or the like: a veteran of the police force; a veteran of many sports competitions.
2. a person who has served in a military force, esp. one who has fought in a war: a veteran.
–adjective
3. (of soldiers) having had service or experience in warfare: veteran troops.
4. experienced through long service or practice; having served for a long period: a veteran member of Congress.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of veterans.

The Heart of a Servant Leader

“Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God.” Ephesians 6:6 (The Message)

The heart is the very seat of our soul, our emotions, and our passions. It is the very essence of our being and that which drives our thoughts and our motives. No wonder God tells us to guard our hearts! “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV).

The heart of a leader is the very foundation of her life. It is what drives her passion for the Lord and her passion for service in the kingdom. There is no doubt that most of us feel called to lead in a very deep way from the bottom of our hearts.

And yet, with seemingly little notice, out of our hearts can spew some of the most ungodly thoughts and attitudes…even in the midst of ministry. I rememberr something happened some time ago that totally unnerved me. Surely you know the feeling. I was less than thrilled with a situation (and in particular with one of my former bosses) and was just about to share from the seat of my emotions the most spirit-filled reaction to what was happening when God intervened. The person was not there for me to share with. I thank God for that. My spirit-filling was not coming from God; it was coming from the enemy. Even though I felt righteous in my motive, it certainly was not the best way to handle things. As leaders, we must be constantly aware that the enemy will do everything he can to render us ineffective in service to our Lord.

I had to come before the Lord and pray to Him, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” Psalm 51:10 (NIV). “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” Psalm 86:11 (NIV). “Refresh my heart in Christ” Philemon 1:20b (NIV). God gave me His promise in response, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV).

To be a servant leader, sometimes we just need to keep in mind that we are servants first and leaders second. We must learn to model Christ-like servanthood in every situation. God has chosen us to lead. Not only must we be strong and do the work, we must be strong in our wholehearted devotion to Him and remember Who we are working for! He is in control of every situation. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV).

Servant leadership

Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many" (Mark 10:42-45, HCSB).

Servant leadership can be so easy to talk about and sometimes hard to achieve. This past weekend, it was my honor to serve North Carolina Baptists by leading a breakout at their women's prayer evangelism conference. God was at work all over the place and if I were to write about it all, I would never finish. It was incredible to connect with great men and women who faithfully serve the Lord. I was with Ashley Allen, the new Embrace women's leader who just came from Southwestern Seminary and with some sharp and servant-minded students from Southeastern Seminary. Being able to spend some time with the Rankins and Paula Hemphill from IMB and Alicia Wong from NAMB and to be with Southern's Mary Kassian again...well these were priceless moments. I am grateful for the invitation that came from Chris Schofield and to reconnect with him and others, as well as their wives.

It was when I was leaving that I happened back in the room where lunch had just been served, that I caught a glimpse of what ministry really is all about. There was a quick turn-around for the room because a session was going to be in there. In the middle of all the activity, there was Milton Hollifield, Exec Dir Treas of North Carolina Baptists, vacuuming the room. What a picture for us all. When is the last time you saw an Exec Dir or Pres of anything even attending a women's conference much less just helping behind the scenes and vacuuming? Needless to say, I was impressed. What an example that we should be following as leaders.

A true servant is not one that has to be asked what needs to be done, but one who sees the need and steps in to do it. There were many servants around last week who weren't noticed by me, but know that God always notices. He rewards those who faithfully serve. He rewards leaders who serve. Thanks Milton for the reminder.