Leading Through Service
George Flattery
Founder at Network211 Chancellor at Global University Author, Educator, Missionary
Today, I will conclude my posts on chapter nine of my book entitled The Leadership Paradox. The subject of this chapter is meeting needs and leading through service.
The ministry of Jesus focused on need. We read in Luke 5:30-32: “And the Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with the tax-gatherers and sinners?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’"
We must realize, however, that the terms “servant” and “slave” are used by Jesus in the Matthew story in a specialized and paradoxical sense. The important point is that we are meeting the real needs of people, not that we are subject to every whim and want of the people we serve. To do so would be to abdicate the calling to lead that God has given to us.
The challenge to all who would be leaders is to meet needs. By meeting needs, we serve those who would follow us. There is a great cost in meeting needs. This is why Jesus began his response to James and John by focusing on the price of leadership. However, when we see people happily serving the Lord, the price is worth the cost. The harvest is the reward.