Servant Leadership
Servant leader and leadership has become a catch phrase to define leadership of a priest and a bishop. I learned this phrase and model in the first year of my theological education and since then have come across this model or vision many a times in different context and places.
Since 1991, I have been reflecting on this image. During that time, I have questioned the absurdity of this phrase; servant and leader in a same sentence is contradictory to say the least in a society and culture which craves power and authority through nefarious and legal ways. However, to a religious and spiritual mind, it presents itself as a way to live and to exercise our authority and leadership.
Prophet Nehemiah through his life, witness and ministry provides us with enormous insight into servant leadership. Nehemiah was a devout and righteous man who wept bitterly at the state of the holy city of Jerusalem. Instead of letting emotions and sadness cripple him, Nehemiah used his influence in the court of King Artaxerxes to facilitate return of the exiles and the building of the walls of Jerusalem. He was able to achieve this because he was a cupbearer to the king (Nehemiah 1:11b). Being a cupbearer to the king was indeed a position of influence and depicted trust of the king in Nehemiah. Cupbearers not only served wine but were also privy to the most intimate conversations and thoughts of the king. Moreover, king trusted them to serve the best wine and to make sure nothing untoward will happen to the king and his family. Certainly, Nehemiah was a trusted confidante and servant of a king.
Naaman was a commander of the Syrian army (2 Kings 5). He had fought and won many battles for the king. In spite of all battlefield success and prestige, Naaman, because of leprosy, was staring at a lonely, painful and miserable end to his life. His story, however, has a fairy tale ending as he was cured of leprosy and was made whole by Prophet Elisha. Now, his curing and healing happened because of his wife’s Jewish servant girl. This unnamed servant girl looked at the affliction of Naaman and effect leprosy had on his family. Instead of rejoicing at the misery of her mistress; she had compassion on her and told her about Prophet Elisha. Servant Girl lived out the expectation and trust of this family and offered them the best gift she could give to them in spite of her own condition and without any expectation.
Jesus saw servant and servanthood as the basis of leadership, authority and greatness (Matthew 23:11). Jesus after washing his disciples’ feet at the last supper, instructed them to do the same for one another (John 13:14-17). By doing so Jesus presented humility as one of the foundational principle for servanthood and greatness.
‘Authority lies in the Jurisdiction’ and ‘Church is synodically governed and episcopally led’ are two of the guiding principles (modus operandi) of Anglicanism. Both principles (in my opinion) are inter-dependent on one another as they relate to the leadership and authority of diocesan bishop and synod. ‘Authority lies in the Jurisdiction’ simply defined means that diocesan boundary is a jurisdiction and authority to define ministry and mission, for the diocese, lies within it. This authority is exercised by the synod under the leadership of the diocesan bishop as synod presents its decisions to the bishop for his/her consent. By doing so, bishop is acknowledged as the leader of the diocese. The precepts of episcopal leadership and pastoral responsibility are succinctly defined and highlighted in the Examination of the bishop-elect (BAS Pg 636-637).
The life and witness of Nehemiah and the servant girl along with the teachings of Jesus present a way for a bishop to exercise his/her authority and leadership in the diocese. It should be noted that leaders are called to lead through humility and servanthood and should be willing to serve through their leadership, directives, guidance and witness.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional character Aragorn (Lord of the Rings) embodied and personified servant leader and leadership. Aragorn, although an heir to the throne of king, made it his mission to earn the trust of the hobbits, elves, wizards and human beings of the middle earth. Aragorn earned the trust and the respect by exhibiting through words and actions; his genuine care for his friends and subjects. Many a times, Aragorn put his own life and well-being in danger to protect and serve others. By bowing down to lowly four hobbits at the time of his coronation, Aragorn openly admitted and acknowledged the absolute courage and contribution of the hobbits to overcome evil and to defeat Saruman and Sauron and thus shared the victory, honour and adulations with the hobbits.
Episcopal office affords great responsibility and opportunity for to create servant leadership by: First, engendering and earning trust of clerics and laity (both churched and unchurched). Second, showing genuine care, concern and earnest desire to support others, regardless of their relationship or lack thereof with the diocese and the bishop. Third, placing the welfare of others, before his/her own welfare, and nurturing ministry and leadership of others. Fourth acknowledging talents and gifts of others and affording them an opportunity to exercise those gifts and talents.
It should be noted and upheld that cultivation and nurturing of Servant leadership is a responsibility of everyone in ministry. Bishop at the time of induction/celebration of new ministry of a rector or incumbent, entrusts his/her charge (parish) to the care and leadership of the appointed rector/incumbent. By doing so, bishop calls and invites a priest to care for the parish and to be a servant-leader in the parish to the best of his/her abilities.
Master said, ‘whosoever wants to be the greatest must be the servant of all’. Servanthood is not a choice; it is an expectation and commandment of the Master.