Servant Leadership for the Glory of Jesus Christ | Lausanne World Pulse Archives

The only way to exercise moral leadership in the work of the kingdom is through character that is exemplary and Christ-honoring. Without such character, we will not be able to gain the confidence of those we are seeking to reach with the gospel. Nor will we be able to build and keep the trust of those who have been entrusted to our care.

Trust is foundational to leadership and to effective witness in the world. We cannot fake trust. We must earn it. And we earn it and develop it through our imitation of Christ.

Just as the Lord of all creation chose to relinquish all of his power and glory for our sake and to come in complete humility in the form of a babe, so too are we called to follow in his footsteps. Although not all of us are called to positions of leadership, we are all called to follow Christ (Philippians 2:5). And like Christ who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but instead lowered himself and made himself nothing, we too are to take on the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2:7).

It is from Christ’s humility and obedience unto death that he is exalted to the highest place. It is from humility and obedience based on the love of the Father “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). This is the very heart of God and his vision for the redemption of all creation.

Before any of us can be leaders, we must first be followers. Before we are called to lead for the sake of the gospel, we are first called to serve. Indeed, to serve is to lead.

Before any of us can be leaders, we must first be followers.