Learning Leadership Through Service

We learned many spiritual lessons from the Challenger II Rock Climbing Program.

As a participant in the December 2007 Challenger II Rock Climbing Program on Mt. Lemmon in Arizona, I came away from the weeklong experience with more than thicker calluses on my fingertips and many newly formed friendships. The environment of Challenger II also instilled a renewed desire for practicing leadership through service as an ongoing, lifelong commitment.

Based on the notion that leadership is not office; leadership is influence, this camp program is designed intentionally for young adult leadership development. It stressed the importance of living a life of conviction, commitment and courage in order to continue to develop godly character.

In a world that challenges our beliefs and values on a daily basis, the lessons I learned from participating in Challenger II and the related service component have helped me continue to stay strong in God's way of life and overcome, knowing that we seek out a greater reward directed at a higher purpose (1 John 5:4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
See All...; Matthew 5:12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
See All...; 6:20; Luke 6:23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
See All...; Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
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The following reflections illustrate how service can be defined as leadership in action directed toward a godly purpose that helps us build character and influence others, while allowing God's grace and the fruits of His Spirit to serve as a greater testimony to the work He is accomplishing now on earth in each of our lives.
Finding and Filling Needs

One of the initial building blocks of servant leadership is realizing that anyone can—and should—serve. There are no prerequisites to participation besides your willingness and personal commitment. We often make many excuses for not stepping up to serve or lead even when opportunities are all around us. There are many ways you can serve, from simply brightening someone's day through offering encouraging words to organizing an ongoing program to help meet reoccurring needs in your local congregation or community.

Taking an active role as a member of God's greater family requires awareness of these needs combined with enthusiastic and dedicated participation in order to meet them. In this way, servant leadership is both an attitude and an action.

The choices we make to participate and invest our time, energy and effort into something larger than ourselves can lead to greater acts of service that have far-reaching effects. The impact of your service goes beyond the action itself, influencing the lives of those you serve and others who see your example of good works (Matthew 5:15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
See All...; Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
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Begin by recognizing the innate strengths and talents you have been blessed with as a unique individual, intentionally designed by your Father to do great works (Matthew 25:14-30 [14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
[15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
[16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
[17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
[18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
[19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
[20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
[21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
[23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
[25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
[26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
[27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
[28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
[29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
[30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

See All...; Romans 12:6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
See All...). Then apply these talents to become a person of influence in the lives of others. Allow God's glory to be revealed through your actions as a servant leader.

Servant leadership is not just a weekend project, a one-time visit to a sick friend or simply mailing a card of encouragement to someone who is experiencing a hard trial. Rather, service is a lifestyle—the ongoing dedication of investing your time and ability into helping others in need.
The How and Why of Service

Additionally, godly service doesn't always have to involve doing something. It can simply involve being there as an encouraging and comforting presence. The attitude we bring to the active component of service can be more important than the product of our service.

In this way, service is not just focused on where you serve or who you serve, but extends into how and why you serve. While it is hard to stop doing, and simply be present with others, sometimes our attention and consideration are what the other person truly wants and needs. Serve with an open heart and willing attitude.

True service occurs when we submit to God, showing His love to others through our attitude and actions (Galatians 5:13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
See All...). Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of a servant leader who submitted His life to God's greater purpose in order to demonstrate a greater love for humanity. Knowing that His death was eminent, Christ still modeled servant leadership through humility by washing the disciples' feet during His last Passover with them (John 13:3-5 [3] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
[4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
[5] After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

See All..., 13-17).

Even when tempted by Satan, Christ humbled Himself and overcame the world by sacrificing His very life for the sake of our eternal salvation (Matthew 4:1-11 [1] Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
[2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
[3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
[4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
[5] Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
[6] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
[7] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
[8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
[9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
[10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
[11] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

See All...; John 16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
See All...). The love and example Christ showed through His ministry on earth and ongoing love for us as sisters and brothers is the greatest example of service (Matthew 20:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
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Responsibility

Leadership through service also requires responsibility that extends beyond our personal desires and considers the broader implications and needs of those you are serving and leading. This process involves understanding the situation from multiple perspectives and counting the costs involved in order to act guided by godly wisdom and appropriate counsel (Proverbs 11:14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
See All...; 15:28; Luke 14:28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
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Because of this added responsibility of leadership, serving in this capacity may require making difficult decisions that inevitably disappoint some of those who are following and participating. Therefore, leadership is not always doing what is popular, but rather it is doing what is wise and necessary given the circumstances.

These biblical lessons of servant leadership illustrate the pressing necessity for us to submit our lives in service to others, while being led by God's greater purpose for humanity (Proverbs 3:5-6 [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
[6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

See All...). The many opportunities to become involved in service now are valuable training tools to help us develop the character necessary to serve and lead in God's coming Kingdom.

Don't wait to be invited to serve or make excuses to prevent your participation now. Start small and locally by forming deeper and more authentic relationships with others that will allow you to better recognize their needs. Encourage and motivate others using your unique talents and gifts. Pray often and be proactive in your service mentality. Ask for opportunities to get involved and be mentored by others.

Remain teachable and humble, seeking to learn from all experiences in order to grow. Accept feedback and respond graciously to correction. Don't be discouraged, but rather remain steadfast in your ongoing desire to serve.

While the life of a servant leader is oftentimes thankless and occurs behind the scenes, know that God is always watching and taking note of our attitude and actions, helping guide us along the path to eternal righteousness. And as we continue to persevere and overcome in this life as we practice servant leadership, God has promised a much greater reward in His coming Kingdom (Romans 8:18-25 [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
[19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
[20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
[21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
[22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
[23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
[24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
[25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

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Leslie Schwartz is a member of the Los Angeles, California, congregation. She recently graduated with a master's degree in education from UCLA and works in college and university student leadership development. She has participated in the United Youth Camps program both as a camper and now as a staff member for the past 14 years.