Obedience: The Key to Servant Leadership (part 1)

Servant Leadership; A term widely used in today's church. I believe all people involved with our worship ministry are called to be servant leaders. But what does that really mean? For me this means our leaders are obedient to those above them and are an example of this to others around them. Obedience requires faith, trust and a willing heart. This is not as easy as it sounds. I can remember all throughout my early years as a worship team member thinking "why do i have to do this?" or "what does that have to do with worship?" Little did I know that sometimes, God was using those situations to prepare me for being a leader, as I can still see no other reason. :)

It is part of natural human nature to question that which is asked of and told to us; some more than others. I always have questions (that's not always a good thing). God is still refining me through this process, even as I am leading. Our leadership is responsible to God just as we are. Hebrews 13:16-17 ^"Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you."
Our leadership is responsible for us, as well as themselves. The higher the calling, the higher the responsibility. 


If you have faith in God, trust your leaders. God has specifically placed leaders according to his will for all our lives. Have faith in God that he knows what he is doing. That does not mean that as leaders we are not wrong. Quite the opposite. I am wrong a lot. It's how we handle these situations, as leaders and as servants, that make us great in Him. James 1:3-4"because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 1 Peter 1:6-7  "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise (worshipers praise God, right?), glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." Amen.

This applies even when we think we know better than the leader (or even God). Look at Abraham and Sarah, regarding God's promise of a son born of their own flesh (Genesis 15:4). In chapter 16 it had been 10 years since God's promise to them, so Sarah and Abraham decided to take matters into her own hands. This showed a lack of faith/trust in God's promise to both of them. She instructed Abraham to sleep with her servant. Abraham did so, and bore Ishmael. This was not God's will, as he later fulfilled his promise to them nearly 14 years after Ishmael was born. In Chapter 17 God gives instruction to Abraham: "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”"

So whether you believe your leadership is incorrect or just questioning them in general, remember to walk faithfully and be blameless. Let God do His work and reveal His plan in your life and those around you. Learn from those around you, and take the first opportunity to learn what God has for you. I know from personal experience it is MUCH harder the second, third and fourth times around. Obedience is not struggling to maintain or following a long list of rules, it is a natural flow from God when you are in his will and in touch with His Spirit.Today I leave you all with these verses:

Romans 8:18 and 28 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."  Let God's glory be revealed in you through your trust, faith, and obedience. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Amen

Tyler