The Servant Leader … the Art of Helping

You can’t go far into scripture, and not see Jesus as a servant leader, willing to help and engage with people around Him. We take the opportunities to help those that are right in front of us, helping them develop and grow in their faith, and in their journey.

Whether it is to come alongside another leader, a young mother raising her children, someone in the workplace, or your neighbour next door, I believe we all have the opportunity to engage in the lives of another person, on a daily basis. This connection allows us the opportunity to be instruments of God’s grace and placed in a position where we can actively help one another.

As a leader, may we be challenged to carry the burdens we see on a daily basis.

Galatians 6:2 reads,

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

I met a young woman who was standing at the grocery store, by herself accompanied by her 4-month-old twin boys, and her 3-year-old little son. I shared a few words with her, “You are such a good mother, I was watching how you are attentive to all of them, in a matter of minutes.” The young woman shared that most people walk by and smile, but they don’t stop and talk with her. We began a friendship, and I often visit her at her home and see the boys. Through a simple act of encouragement and support, I was able to help.

A simple model that I have found that helps me frame how to help a person, that God has given me, is to be a help in that time, in that circumstance. Essentially, it is leading like Jesus led, serving as Jesus served. The model has six different facets to it, elements that we can see observed by Christ himself. I offer these as a framework as you take your opportunities, in your sphere of influence, as you make a difference as a servant leader.

It’s as simple as first learning to partner, come alongside, discover what you have in common. Secondly, you may find you have the opportunity to be supportive, a listening ear, a caring heart in a time of a tragic circumstances. Thirdly, you may find that you can model a behaviour, action or desired outcome by being ‘present’ in their life. Fourthly, there are times we will be given opportunity to teach a new skill, or a way of coping, a way of engaging with others. Fifthly, we can become mentors in the people that God brings our way, through informal guidance, we come alongside a person. Finally, there are points in our relationship that we may need to challenge, rebuke or even give the hard words to help people to get back on the pathway in their journey.

So, what is helping?

It is a process of taking on one or more roles in the lives around us. It is being a servant leader, ministering to the heart, full of God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is partnering, supporting, modeling, teaching, mentoring, and challenging. In a story of the woman at the well, we see Jesus engaging in all six of these roles, taking advantage of an opportunity, to help in a situation, where seemingly, no help was needed. The result was a changed life. A woman’s questionable past was put on a new direction because someone chose to engage, get involved with an intentional purpose to see a life changed.

John 15:12 “Helping is simply loving each other, as God has loved us.”

Here’s what I have discovered as the marks and qualities of great helpers. Leaders who are life helpers are interested in people. They believe and develop the potential of those they seek to work with and, they have high expectations to continue to stretch and push those they help.

Hebrews 13:16

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

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