Servant and Leader Can These Two Roles Be Fused?

By Sister Elizabeth St Clair

I remember when I first signed up for LEAD 1101 Principles and Practice of Servant Leadership at Summit University. The course catalog said Principles and Practice of Servant Leadership presents a comprehensive, integrative and practical focus on servant leadership. Students develop skills through research, journaling and reflection exercises, small group discussion forums, leadership practice assignments, written essays and self-assessment. I read the course catalog and I thought I have never heard of a Servant Leader. Little did I know I knew a lot about one Servant Leader.

A Servant Leader starts out wanting to serve first and as they are serving they naturally aspire to lead. The difference between a leader and a servant leader is the servant leader makes sure they are serving the highest priority of the people. Can you think of a well-known Servant Leader? How about Jesus.

Jesus demonstrated many servant leadership traits one being when he served his disciples by washing their feet. John 13: 4-5 says: “He riseth from supper and laid aside his garments; and took a towel and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Jesus emptied himself of the power that God gave and served his disciples.

Another example of servant leader is King David. When King David led his followers, there were no rules or doctrines that were written, or “by laws”, for him to follow, David had to lead by the Spirit of God to do what he thought was right, in his heart. Elizabeth Clare Prophet teaches that we need the Holy Spirit to be a servant leader. King David led for the highest priority of his people. King David did not seek leadership it was thrust upon him by God.

El Morya, as King Arthur, also demonstrated servant leadership qualities. King Arthur share his leadership with the knights of the round table. El Morya came forth as King Arthur to show that for men to be men they must first be equal.

Are you a servant leader? There are seven pillars of servant leadership. How do you show your servant leadership and apply it in personal situations? If you want to learn more about how to be a servant leader sign up for LEAD 1101 Principles and Practice of Servant Leadership. The forces for good and evil are propelled by our thoughts, attitudes and action. Learning to serve first will shape our future with divine qualities of love and compassion.