At two key points the Mission Statement of Beacon University focuses on the idea of "servant leadership." The opening statement begins this way: "To equip and motivate today's servant leaders . . . ." The second line refers to the provision of degree programs "for aspiring servant leaders."Clearly servant-leadership is central to the vision and mission of Beacon. The question is: What is servant-leadership? It seems easier to talk about than to model, let alone train others to follow that model.
I recently posed this issue to an online seminary class, and received several helpful comments:
"The servant leader says, 'Follow me and I will show you how,' yet he/she is there at the last moment to make sure the job is finished, and that those who are following are taken care of. The servant leader is to be the steward of what and who he is leading. I think being a servant leader is much harder than a leader that directs and leaves the work to the group. The responsibility is much greater."
"Servant leadership is being humble enough to be used to lead others, while using their gifts and empowering them to grow, and getting the task completed effectively."
"I would define the servant leader as one who has responded to the call of leadership for the purpose of enriching the organization."
These students all agreed that servant-leadership is first of all service, and only then leadership. The idea of servant-leadership suggests that it is possible to so serve, it will result in others being led. That then implies a unique understanding of leadership; it is not having followers, nor is it having influence. Leadership is impacting the lives of others in such a way that their lives are benefited, individually and corporately. This definition assumes that individual and corporate goals genuinely benefit all those involved. If so, then effective leadership will result in those benefits being realized.
For those to whom leadership is primarily a control (or self-esteem) issue, servant-leadership will not satisfy. It is impossible to focus simultaneously on being in control and serving in a way that benefits the organization and the people in it.
As a Christian institution, we're convinced that Jesus Christ not only taught but modeled servant-leadership. In fact, we gladly follow him because he came to serve, and ultimately to give his life. We allow ourselves to be influenced by his leadership, convinced of his love for us. In the same way, we seek to teach and model servant-leadership to our university community, and to our larger community - so much so, we have made it central to our stated mission.
