Biblical Servant Leadership

Introduction

Servant leadership has gained attention among leadership authors over the last twenty years. Even Collins and his team had to address the impact of servant leadership qualities in the actions of their Level 5 Leaders (Collins, 2001, Kindle loc. 531). While servant leadership has enjoyed increasing popularity among secular writers, Blackaby and Blackaby suggest a growing trend among Christian leaders to give greater emphasis to secular leadership theories at the expense of principles such as servant leadership (2011, p. 19). To better assess the significance of servant leadership to the biblical narrative, the author will evaluate the history of five prominent biblical leaders for evidence of qualities or leadership principles typical of servant leadership.

Principles of Leadership from Moses

Exodus 2:11-15; 34:29-35

Determined to relieve the hardship of his countrymen, Moses killed an Egyptian he caught beating an Israelite and buried the body to cover up his crime. Coming across two Israelites fighting, Moses decided to impose his position as a son of Pharaoh’s daughter to bring peace between people he viewed as family. However, at least one of the men viewed Moses as just another Egyptian imposing his will over a slave asking “who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian” (Exodus 2:14, ESV)?

In the second experience, Moses has been on Mount Sinai receiving a second copy of the commandments Moses previously destroyed in anger. Because of his time in God’s presence, the skin of his face glowed with the glory of God. Once Moses had reassured them, the leaders and people gathered to hear the instructions God had given to their new nation. Each time Moses spoke to the people, he uncovered his face to reveal that he had been in God presence.