In bringing together a group of people to serve alongside of Him as His disciples, Jesus had to know there would be conflicts along the way. His group would not be unlike other groups. Some would want to be recognized over others, some would want to be in control, and some would get hurt by the words or actions of the more choleric members of the group. We can learn some lessons for Church boards, committees, or ministry teams from Jesus’ leadership.
Servant Leaders & Members of Boards, Committees, and Ministry Teams Must Lay Aside Their Rights for the Greater Good
One of the greatest demonstrations of servanthood can be seen in Jesus, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:6-8)
In order for leaders and members of boards, committees, and ministry teams, in their “relationships with one another” to “have the mindset as Christ Jesus” they must:
- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
- Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
- not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Phil. 2:3-5)
Along with this content, the Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide gives some thoughts about teaching members of boards, committees, and ministry teams to be servant-oriented.
You might also want to read: Church Leaders: Be a Servant
All Posts about Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams:
- Purpose in Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams
- Healthy Church Boards Exercise Body Life
- Agendas Versus Relationships
- Contributing in Committees, Boards, Ministry Teams
- Differences of Opinion Don’t Have to Divide
- Division of Responsibilities
- Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams Need Focus
- Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams Need Accountability
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Purposeful
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Servant-Oriented
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Team-Oriented
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Upward-Focused
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Process-Oriented
- Effective Church Committees or Ministry Teams
- Understanding Needed about Team Members Contributing
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Possible Due to the Gospel
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Because of the Holy Spirit
- Pulling on Spiritual Gifts of Board, Committee, Team Members?
- Spiritual Gifts of a Board or Committee Chairperson
- Christ-like Boards & Committees a Result of Grace
- Coming Together Because of the Name of the Lord
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Keep His Word Central
- Overcoming Power for Church Boards and Committees