Originally taught during staff leadership development on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Miami First Assembly of God (M1AG), Miami, Oklahoma.
Servant leadership in ministry begins with understanding how Jesus defines greatness. Over my years in pastoral ministry, I have found that the way we lead people has a lasting influence on a church’s health. Our attitudes, decisions, communication, and willingness to serve can either strengthen those around us or make their responsibilities harder.
During a recent staff leadership development meeting at Miami First Assembly of God, I challenged our team to consider a question that every Christian leader should regularly ask: When people interact with us, do they experience the heart of Jesus in the way we lead?
Anyone who has served in church ministry understands how quickly a day can fill up. A family needs pastoral care, a volunteer cancels, a room is not ready for an upcoming event, a financial matter needs attention, and someone is waiting for a return phone call. We can spend an entire day working hard, accomplishing important responsibilities, and still overlook the people God has placed directly in front of us.
Jesus provides a powerful perspective on leadership that challenges the way we measure success and exercise responsibility.
Scripture:
Mark 10:42–45 (ESV) — 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
To understand this passage, we need to consider what has just happened. James and John approached Jesus, requesting positions of honor in His kingdom. When the other ten disciples heard about their request, they became indignant.
Jesus gathered the disciples together and addressed their understanding of leadership. They had been thinking in terms of position, recognition, and privilege. Jesus introduced an entirely different measure of greatness.
His words in verse 43 establish a principle that should shape every Christian leader:
“But it shall not be so among you.”
The leadership culture of His kingdom would be fundamentally different from the leadership practices they observed around them.
1. Servant Leadership Changes How We Measure Success
In Mark 10:42-43, Jesus describes rulers who use authority to elevate themselves over others. He then explains that greatness among His followers is demonstrated through service.
This challenges us to examine how we evaluate our effectiveness as leaders. In ministry, we naturally focus on attendance, budgets, completed projects, ministry growth, and program success. These are important responsibilities because they help us steward the resources and opportunities God has entrusted to us.
However, our leadership must also be evaluated by how we care for people, develop others, and demonstrate Christlike character.
A question I believe every ministry leader should regularly ask is: Who benefits from the way I lead?
Consider a ministry director who discovers that another volunteer is needed for Sunday morning. One approach is to pressure someone into filling the vacancy without considering their circumstances. A servant leader takes time to explain the need, understand the volunteer’s availability, offer appropriate support, and work toward a sustainable solution.
Both approaches may fill the position, but they foster very different ministry cultures.
The way we do ministry matters because we work with people whom God loves and has called to serve.
2. Servant Leadership Accepts Responsibility for Helping Others Succeed
Jesus continues in Mark 10:44, explaining that whoever desires to be first must become a servant to all.
That statement challenges our natural tendency to protect our time, responsibilities, and personal preferences. Serving others often requires us to recognize needs that extend beyond our immediate assignments.
In church leadership, this may involve helping a volunteer understand their responsibilities, taking time to encourage a discouraged team member, or assisting another department with a situation that affects the entire ministry.
Philippians 2:3-4 reminds believers to approach relationships with humility and genuine concern for the interests of others.
We also need to remember that healthy servant leadership includes clear expectations, appropriate boundaries, and personal accountability. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do for another person is to provide honest feedback, address an unresolved problem, or clarify responsibilities before confusion creates frustration.
For example, a staff member who consistently gives volunteers clear instructions before Sunday is serving those volunteers. An administrator who responds promptly to questions helps other departments complete their assignments. A ministry leader who addresses poor follow-through respectfully protects the team’s health.
These are practical expressions of servant leadership in ministry.
One question can help us develop this mindset: What does this person need from me in order to serve faithfully and effectively?
When we begin asking that question, our attention moves toward equipping, encouraging, and strengthening the people God has entrusted to our leadership.
3. Servant Leadership Reflects the Sacrifice of Jesus
Mark 10:45 brings the entire conversation back to Jesus Himself.
He explains that the Son of Man came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. His sacrifice accomplished the redemption that humanity could never provide for itself.
Jesus demonstrated the depth of His love through His willingness to give Himself for others. His example establishes the pattern of humility and selflessness that should characterize those who follow Him.
Christian leadership will sometimes require personal sacrifice. There will be occasions when serving others costs us time, convenience, recognition, or the opportunity to do things according to our preferences.
Think about the staff member who stays a few additional minutes to help a volunteer prepare for an event, the leader who publicly recognizes someone else’s contribution, or the pastor who takes time to listen when a person is struggling.
These actions may seem relatively small, but repeated expressions of kindness, humility, and genuine concern help establish a healthy ministry culture.
We must also recognize our dependence upon the Holy Spirit. It is possible to perform helpful actions while quietly struggling with resentment, frustration, or a desire for recognition.
Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us that the fruit of the Spirit includes love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
As we remain surrendered to the Holy Spirit, He develops within us the character necessary to lead people in ways that honor Christ.
Putting Servant Leadership Into Practice
One challenge I posed to our staff was to examine our daily responsibilities through the lens of service.
Before making a decision, preparing for an event, responding to a volunteer, or addressing a difficult situation, we should consider how our actions will affect the people involved.
Servant leadership requires intentionality. It develops as we consistently choose to listen carefully, communicate clearly, prepare responsibly, and follow through on our commitments.
For those serving in church leadership, our responsibilities provide countless opportunities to demonstrate the heart of Jesus. The same principle applies to Christian leadership in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
Our willingness to serve reveals much about the One we claim to follow.
A Leadership Challenge for This Week
I want to encourage you to identify one person you can intentionally serve this week.
Perhaps it is a fellow staff member, a ministry volunteer, a family member, or someone you work alongside. Ask whether an obstacle is making their responsibilities unnecessarily difficult.
Then take one practical action to help them.
You might provide clearer instructions, offer encouragement, assist with an unfinished task, or take time to listen to a concern that has gone unaddressed.
As you practice servant leadership, pay attention to the influence your actions have on the people around you.
The measure of our leadership should include how faithfully we help others become everything God has called them to be.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for demonstrating the true meaning of servant leadership through Your life and sacrifice. Forgive us for the times we have sought recognition, protected our own convenience, or overlooked the needs of others. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit and develop within us the humility, compassion, wisdom, and patience necessary to lead well. Give us eyes to recognize opportunities to serve and the courage to act upon them. May our leadership reflect Your heart and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
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