Values Series: Servant Leadership Is Our Calling

Values: Servant Leadership Is Our Calling

We are a mission and values driven church. What you value dictates what you do, where you spend your time, how you spend your resources, and what you put your energy towards. This is true not only in the church, but in every area of life.

Our values point toward the core of who we are as a church. If you want to understand our culture, look to our values.

Opener:

If you’re too big to serve then you’re too small to lead.

Title:

Passage: Ephesians 4:11-16

CSB Version

And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Background:

Main Points:

Servant leadership = Serving others first, concerned about personal growth, provides space for healing, acts slow,

Power leadership = Serves self first, concerned about organizational growth, all about the bottom line, acts fast,

Servant Leaders are...

1. Gifted by God
   1. Spiritual gifts are different than talents. And Scripture tells us in 1 Cor 12:1-12 that this gift that God has given is to be used for the building up and edifying of the body.
   2. Maybe this is all new to you. Maybe you have gone through GT and you took the spiritual gift test and realized you have a gift of hospitality, craftsmanship, evangelism, or even apostleship. And you’re going Apostle “who?” That’s ok, it’s a big confusing word! In verses 11 and 12 it tells us that Christ gave these 5 kinds of leaders to equip us for the work of ministry.
   3. “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers” Are you leaning into growth in the area of your gifting? Leaders are placed all around you to help you. We are here to serve you. This is why we have a culture of having Team Nights monthly, Team Lead Nights, this is why we have Growth Track. We are here to serve you to help you understand the gift God has placed in your hand & so that you can use it on purpose for purpose.
   4. These gifts are for the church, for the equipping and building up of the body of Christ.
   5. What has God put in your hand to steward? “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’ – Matthew 25:21
   6. Serving God is about being faithful with what is in your hand.
   7. Someone needs to hear this today. You are on this earth for something bigger than yourself. Stop looking at others around you. Start showing up & using your gifts to advance His Kingdom. Showing up sometimes can be the hardest thing. You look outside and it’s raining or snowing & you give yourself an excuse. Or maybe your nose started running & you got a splinter in your finger. Anyone with me today? Showing up is sometimes the hardest part!

Example: Ryan and Cory and school.

1. Show Up & Let God Show Off. He wants to use you. He gave you your gift for purpose, but it is our responsibility to steward that gift. I’m not talking just in the church building. How many of you know that you are the Church even in your cubicle at work, you are the church at the gym, you are the church at the grocery, or moms when you are at home with your kids.
2. True servant leadership is about growing a people, not getting a promotion.

3. “full and complete standard of Christ” In verse 13 that is the maturity the whole church grows into. Here’s how I’d apply it: what did that look like in Christ?

   1. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Mark 10:45 NLT

4. Grounded in Truth

   1. “Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching…”
   2. Leaders that are grounded are leaders that have the potential to grow. You can only grow as high as the foundation that supports it.
5. Growing in Christ
   1. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.
   2. Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Nobody grows in isolation. This is why in leadership you have a mentor, coach, accountability, and a team.
   3. Healthy things grow.

Closing:

Walking Points:

1. Answer the call
2. Speak truth in love
3. Grow in your calling