This is going to all Popes,
Apostles, Prophets, Bishops, Priests, and Pastors and any other leader who has
influence over people. God relates with you directly, and does not need you to
get between his relationships with others as He relates with them directly. You
are called to point people to God and not to yourself or any other systematic
agenda. When you command that they look at you, serve you, get answers from
you, you begin to minimize, dilute, and most times get in the way of their
ability to hear Gods voice on their own.
You are called to lead as a
servant. You are called to humility. You are called to communicate that
everything they need is within them for Christ Himself; the hope of glory is
within them. The people you serve are not called to serve your agenda, and you
are called only to serve Fathers agenda for their lives, which may not have
anything to do with your agenda.
God does not need middle
management as He has all the management He needs by the power and revelation of
His Holy Spirit on earth. Get out of His way, and serve only in His way. All
Priest-craft must go, "apostle-craft, prophet-craft, and pastor-craft
included," and they all must surrender
to the Master-craft of all creation, Jesus our Lord. Ungodly hierarchy has no
place in the Kingdom of God. Leaders are called to serve. The greatest of
leaders becomes the servant of all.
Characteristics of Servant Leadership
"Being a leader in the
church is never to be a force of personality, manipulation, or fear. It is to
be a place of bringing Godly influence and intention while earning that honor
and respect because you truly love and care."
·
A servant leader is about being humble! They are
never to be negative, condescending, or scheming.
·
A servant leader will have the willingness and
enthusiasm to be encouraging and life giving to all of the people they touch.
·
A servant leader will recognize that life does
not revolve around them, but rather on relationships. Their focus and
motivation are not on their own ideas, but whatever is on the heart of God on
the behalf of others. Non-servant leadership is often characterized by pride,
self-absorption, self-protection, and self-interests.
·
A servant leader will give priority to others
and value their opinions, knowing that they can have fuller view when they
learn from others. They do not compare or criticize others.
·
A servant leader is first and foremost loyal to
God, desires to serve others, and is not concerned about serving their own
interests, manipulating, or seeking personal gain or control.
·
A servant leader desires to live in the nature
of God; Love, grace, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, faithfulness, kindness,
long suffering and truth.
·
They are people who have been transformed by
Christ, with faith as the core of their being, and fueled by Christ, not self!
·
They are people who place the needs of others
first!
·
They are people who have eternal values and
God's timing in mind!
·
They are people who place integrity ahead of
ambition!
·
They are people who see glorifying Christ and
serving Him as the measure of success!
·
Servant leaders will have a deep sense of
purpose that comes from God, with His direction, identity, and eternal destiny
in mind.
·
Servant leaders are meek (strength under
control)! They are willing to challenge the system, ask questions, take risks,
and, when necessary, they are willing to change.
·
Servant leaders, above all, desire to pursue
their Christian formation to become excellent both in character and
spirituality.
·
Servant leaders put down the desires of power,
prestige, and possessions for the sake of service.
·
Servant leaders think strategically, see the big
picture, then see all possible options to serve others and glorify the Lord.
·
Servant leaders do not seek power and or
influence; rather, they are revolutionaries showing that the world's ways are
ineffective and unfruitful.
·
Servant leaders know how to lead themselves and
others in order to bring the church deeper into the heart of God so to worship
and glorify Him!
·
Servant leaders are not willing to compromise
truth just to be more effective!
·
Servant leaders model the way, to get others to
follow Christ and not themselves, empowering others to grow spiritually as the
Lord leads them.
·
Servant leaders do not compare or judge one
another. They do not seek to become what they are not, nor cause division,
strife, or conflict.
·
Servant leaders do not leave conflict unresolved
or festering. They are proactive in avoiding potential problems in by keeping
the vision of Christ on the forefront and seeking how all can work together
more efficiently in building His Kingdom.
·
Servant leaders will include the team and wise
counsel in all major decisions and strategic planning for the ministry.
·
Servant leaders promote the atmosphere of unity
as well as diversity. They are also willing and able to deal with disunity and
divisions before they can poison the community culture.
·
Servant leaders remain vulnerable and willing to
be challenged.
·
Servant leaders never micromanage or manipulate
others; rather, they exercise their power in constructive ways to serve others
and empower them to be more effective and character-driven.
·
Servant leadership is a team approach! The team
knows that working together means giving without receiving, as well as growing
spiritually, both personally and corporately!
·
Servant leaders put people before any
organizational vision or purpose statement.
·
Servant leaders always tell the truth, stand for
biblical values, and work to change what is not healthy in the church or
community.
·
Servant leaders know that harmony, unity, trust,
and commitment come from a collaborating, encouraging, and safe authentic
environment.
·
Servant leaders realize they will face
criticism, forfeit popularity, and be vulnerable to public and private rebuke
and gossip. However, they stand strong, because they know they do not stand
alone. Christ is with them.
·
Servant leaders are willing to listen to
everyone, learn from everyone, and not just the ones in power or ones who have
the influence!
·
Servant leaders listen; they never brag or
boast, except about what Christ is doing.
·
Servant leaders are extremely important! All
church leaders need to be servant leaders, as they will set the tone for a
community of servants.
·
Servant leaders know that the effectiveness of
their empowerment, training, and supervising of the team will determine the
effectiveness of the ministry and church.
·
Servant leaders uphold and promote a vision that
motivates, encourages, and inspires. They encourage cooperative objectives that
promote Kingdom agendas that are never exclusive.
·
Servant leaders know that Jesus walked the earth
as a revolutionary. He did not conform to any religious or world system. Spirit
led leaders deliver their message with tender confidence, controlled power, and
with passionate truth.
·
Servant leaders are never prideful and do not
take themselves too seriously!
·
They will never have inflated feelings about
their importance or thrive on attention and admiration!
How are You Leading? Who are You Following?
Begin to reflect on how you are
leading. Begin to reflect on whom you
are following. Change can happen, but it is going to take each of us doing what
is right. Do not follow leaders who manipulate and embellish, otherwise you are
promoting their ways, and their systems.
The systems of man are not the Kingdom of God, and there is no greater
thing to pursue than the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of our God in
Christ. Begin to realize who you are as a son and daughter of the Most High God,
and pursue Him. If you must follow a leader, follow those who have chosen to
follow Christ, His nature, His likeness, and His service to mankind.
To all of the leaders who have
desired to have followers to themselves and their agenda, I am asking you to
lay it all down. You are called to lead by serving. You are called to lead
people to the Divine One and not yourself. Regardless of what it costs in
finance, popularity, or even influence, get righteous before your God. Do not
let fear, competition, or any other ungodly emotion drive you to poor choices.
Move in faith like never before, and watch God give you influence, joy, and
peace that you never will realize in your present leadership trajectory. Do all
things to the glory of God in bringing the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in
heaven.
Robert Ricciardelli
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