Maturity

Leading with Care: Servanthood & Stewardship

As we might expect, the New Testament concepts of leadership are radically different from those so often visible in the worlds of politics or business (and, most tragically, sometimes in the church). The word most frequently used to describe leaders or leadership (proistemi) means to be set over or to direct – and carries within it the integral idea of ‘giving care and attention’; to attend to something with care and diligence, to be a protector or guardian. Whichever way we look at it, the kind of leadership the Lord wants in and through His church is a leadership that really cares for those it is leading. This kind of leadership is an expression of God’s grace (Romans 12:6) and should be undertaken with great diligence and zeal! (12:8). Why? Because the church deserves our very best – the Lord really cares that His people are not left “as sheep without a shepherd” (Number 27:17, Matthew 9:36).

At the heart of this type of leadership are two core characteristics – servanthood and stewardship. So, what do we mean by these two words? Firstly, servanthood is an attitude of humility that is the bedrock of leadership character, and is the foundation of all leadership and ministry for the Lord; and it is the epitome of the very attitude of Christ – “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 10:45, Matthew 20:28). Meanwhile, stewardship is the understanding that everything we have is on loan, entrusted to us by God. Good stewardship is the key to growth, and again is exactly the way Jesus handled His own task and commission – “All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father” (Matthew 11:27, Luke 10:22). All God-pleasing biblical ministry is characterised by these two attributes. So, let’s dig a bit deeper…

Servanthood

The word used extensively for “ministry” in the NT is diakonia, which simply means ‘service’. A minister in any sense (and a deacon in particular), is nothing more – and nothing less – than a servant. Think about the two great New Testament apostles, Peter and Paul: whatever their gifting, responsibilities and achievements, they saw themselves first and foremost simply as “servants of Christ” (notice how they introduce themselves at 2 Peter 1:1 and Romans 1:1 respectively) – and they considered it the greatest privilege! They were servants, just like the greatest Old Testament leaders who preceded them – eg Moses (Josh 1:1, Heb 3:5), Joshua (Josh 24:29), David (Ps 78:70-71) and others.

When Jesus’s disciples were found to be arguing about which of them was the “greatest”, Jesus explained that if we want true greatness we must learn what it means to be a “servant” (Mark 9:33-35). As we’ve noted, servanthood is revealed to us most perfectly in Christ Himself – the Greatest who ever lived! Describing the way Jesus became a servant-slave to humanity, Paul reminds us: “Make your own attitude (or “mindset”) that of Christ Jesus, who existing in the form of God did not consider equality with God something to be used for his own advantage (or “to be grasped”). Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a slave… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death – even to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-9).

Jesus sets us the example of how to embrace servanthood, and we see that it involves: letting go of anything we’re holding too tightly; emptying ourselves of every attitude or priority that fills us but can never fulfil us; humbling ourselves by dealing with all pride; bringing all things into obedience under Him; and being willing to die the many little (internal) deaths that come from a life of servanthood. These may include, for example: going the extra mile when you’re tired; celebrating another’s success when you feel you deserve the credit; choosing patience when you feel overlooked; turning the other cheek when you feel injured or insulted, standing aside to let others shine and succeed; absorbing another’s pain when you’re also hurting; or choosing silence when you long to defend yourself against criticism… Of course, this may not be easy – but when we embrace these things are free and liberated and discover true greatness!

Stewardship

Psalm 24:1 declares that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” – and as such all that we have is on loan from God; we’re called to be faithful stewards, entrusted with our gifts, tasks, responsibilities and spheres of leadership and influence. And Jesus said that much would be asked of those to whom much had been entrusted (Luke 12:48).

The concept of entrustment is seen throughout the New Testament – but in particular it’s worth noting the way Paul speaks of both his own ministry and the gifts and leadership responsibilities of others (eg 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Timothy 1:11-12, 1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:14). Perhaps nothing expresses it more powerfully that his words to the Corinthians: “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed” (1 Corinthians 4:1).

And of course Jesus Himself spoke about the need to be found trustworthy in taking care of our gifts and talents. In Luke 16:10-12 He made clear that our faithfulness in handling smaller things would lead to being entrusted with bigger things, and our faithfulness in handling worldly wealth to being entrusted with “true riches,” and that our faithfulness in caring for delegated things would lead to being entrusted with our own things. These are really vital principles: we must take great care of what we’ve been entrusted with now, and if we are faithful we can expect to see growth; which is exactly what we see in the parables of the talents (Matthew 25:14ff, Luke 19:12ff). Spend some time appreciating the small things and material things and delegated things you’ve been entrusted with – and determine to take care of them as faithfully as you can!…

Servanthood and stewardship go hand-in-hand. And I think all other God-pleasing leadership attitudes and attributes (integrity, care, bravery, clarity, diligence, zeal…) will inevitably flow from this twin heartbeat. May a powerful generation of servant-leaders arise, knowing they’ve been entrusted with much and proving faithful in all these things…

Leading with Care: Servanthood & Stewardship PDF Download

One of the shortest, simplest and most striking biblical encouragements is to “BE STRONG!” Recall how Joshua is repeatedly urged to “be strong and courageous” as he leads God’s people into the promised land (Joshua 1:6-9); and how Solomon was to “be strong and courageous” as he succeeded his father David (1 Kings 2:2) and built the Temple (1 Chronicles 28:10). Or think of Paul’s encouragement to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:1), or John’s reminder to the young men (1 John 2:14)… And think how much time the apostles spent “strengthening the churches”. It seems the Lord really wants us to be strong, and He urges, encourages, and at times commands us to be so! Why? Because it’s all too easy to become fearful and discouraged! And because when we’re strong we can strengthen others. And right now, that’s what so many people need…

When we dig a bit deeper into these simple words – “BE STRONG” – we find a wonderfully rich sense of what it means to be strong and strengthened. Let’s take a brief look at five words used in the New Testament and see how God wants us to be strong:

First, there’s a strength that EMPOWERS us. The word is endunamoó meaning ‘to fill with power, make strong, enable, impart ability.’ It’s the word used by Paul when he says he’s “able to do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) and when he tells Timothy that “Christ Jesus…has strengthened me” (1 Timothy 1:12) and “stood with me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17). This is strength God imparts when we stand close to Him. And it far eclipses our own strength! Paul uses this word when he urges the Ephesians in their battle against spiritual powers to “be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength” (Ephesians 6:10, also Colossians 1:11). God wants to impart strength to us, so let’s draw close to Him!…

Second, there’s a strength that PREVAILS and enables us to come out on top – whatever’s pressing us down. The word is krataioó meaning ‘to grow or become strong; to prevail by God’s dominating strength; to attain mastery, the upper-hand’. This is the word used to describe how John and Jesus “grew strong” as young men (Luke 1:80, 2:40). It’s the word Paul uses when he prays for the church to “be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16). God wants us to know an ‘inner strength’ that enables us to prevail and gain the upper-hand whatever we face. This kind of strength develops over time as we prevail in the many little (and often private) challenges that come our way…

Then, thirdly, there’s a type of strength that OVERCOMES because we know God’s promises. This word is ischuros meaning ‘mighty, valiant, powerful, sure; strong in body or in mind’. It’s the word used in Hebrews 11:34 to describe those Old Testament heroes who – by holding on to God’s promises – “gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.” The same word is used by the apostle John when he urges the young men: “you are strong, God’s word remains in you, and you have had victory over the evil one” (1 John 2:14). Great strength comes from letting God’s Word “dwell in us richly” (Colossians 3:16). Like all of us, I’ve found that if there’s no Word inside me then there’s no edge to my sword. It’s up to me: if I want to be strong I must get God’s Word inside me!…

Then there’s a strength that SOLIDIFIES – making us more solid, robust and secure. The word is stereoó, meaning ‘to make firm, solid, strong; to confirm, settle’ and it’s the word from which we get ‘stereo’ (combining to enhance output). It’s the word we find in Acts where Peter stands alongside the lame man and lifts him up so that “at once his feet and ankles became strong” (Acts 3:7). Also in Acts we read that “the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.” (Acts 16:5). What does this tell us? That when we’re alongside others – individually or as churches – there’s a powerful, solidifying impact that brings growth! If we want to be strong we must get joined-up with others who are strong!…

Lastly, there’s a strength that PREPARES us to carry more. This word is epistérizó and it means ‘to make stronger, prop-up, uphold, support; to establish’. It’s a compound of stérizó (‘fix firmly, buttress, strengthen’) and epi (‘apt or fitting’) and has the sense of strengthening what’s already there to most suitably support what will follow… It’s the word used many times in Acts when the apostles and prophets devoted themselves to “strengthening the churches” or “strengthening the disciples” (eg Acts 14:21-22, 15:32, 15:40-41,18:22-23). And from its uses elsewhere we see that this type of strength comes from giving and receiving spiritual gifts (Romans 1:11-12) and encouragement (1 Thessalonians 3:2). God wants us to be strengthened – firmly buttressed – because He has so much more planned for us!

It seems that BEING STRONG – for ourselves and others – is a vital, timely activity in these times; something we should prioritise. We can invest now, to get strong, stay strong, and get stronger – so that we’re ready for all that will yet be. How do we do it? By drawing close to God, prevailing in our private battles, getting His Word inside us, joining-up with others, and by embracing anything that will give added strength and help us take more weight in the future. Like Joshua, Solomon, Timothy and countless others, you and I are urged to BE STRONG!

Tag: Maturity

Leading with Care: Servanthood & Stewardship

Be Strong!