What Does Real Servant Leadership Look Like?
Should I be a servant leader? What does that even mean? Here is what James has to say.
Around ten years ago, I spent $5,000 and a plane ticket to travel to Orlando, FL, to become a certified John Maxwell coach. I must confess this felt like a tremendous waste of money for a three-day event. But little would I know that this certification would open up numerous doors for clients.
Why? Primarily because many authors I've worked with are huge believers in Maxwell's philosophy of servant leadership. Even the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers' owner, Vincent Viola, has attributed his team's success to servant leadership.
The idea of servant leadership is more popular than it's ever been. But here's the problem. There are a lot of leaders who simply see servant leadership as a tool to get people to do what they want them to do.
"Serve others," they'll say, "because when you serve others, they'll become your strongest workers." It's the whole rule of reciprocity. Do for others so they'll do more for you.
But this kind of thinking misses what true servant leadership is all about, and this was something James certainly understood.
A True Servant
The word for servant (doulos) that James uses could be better translated as slave or bondservant. A doulos was the rightful property of their master. However, this idea of a bondservant did not carry with it the shame that we normally associate with servanthood today.
New Testament commentator David Nystrom points out the vast distinction between modern slavery and Roman slavery of that day. To his point, slavery in James’ time had four different levels, ranging from willing service to shameful degradation.
- On the latter end of the spectrum were those who were forced into slavery in mines. This was a punishment normally reserved for criminals and the life expectancy was typically very short.
- Another more humane, yet unenviable form of service was rural slavery. Again, liberties were often held to a minimum and workers were expected to operate in chain gangs where rations were often cut short.
- A third form of slavery Nystrom notes is urban slavery. In this form of service, scholars have pointed out that slaves could eventually obtain their freedom. Not only did the servant receive food and clothing but they also were taught a trade or skill that they could use after they had left their master.
- A final form of service Nystrom mentions is imperial slavery. In this category, slaves often held positions of power and wealth.
It is likely that James is picturing this fourth form. The imagery is that of a willing servant. One who is the rightful heir of their master, but one who is also free to pledge their allegiance to a new owner if they so choose. Yet, despite this offering, they choose to remain in service to Christ, for they have found that the only true freedom in life can be found in slavery.
