Servant Leadership
What is a spiritual leader? What makes a spiritual leader a leader?
A leader, as we know, is someone who points to a (hopefully) desirable direction or destination. We think of courageous rallying cries and dramatic images of battle. “Give me liberty or give me death,” comes to mind.
But Christian leadership will usually look a little different from this imagery. It involves humble service, rather then dramatic oratory and death defying advances.
Christian leadership, in its true form, involves someone who listens, encourages, and celebrates the goodness of others. Christian leadership, in its true form, involves someone who is willing to sacrifice and suffer for the ‘good thing’ to come about in the lives of other people; it involves someone who is willing to persevere in uncertainty, someone who is prepared to be gentle.
In this context, a leader should be kind, persuasive in his or her example, and conscious that true empathy is often followed by action. Most people, given the tools, will make good decisions. Poor decisions can come from pain, desperation, confusion, and bad examples. If someone is willing to offer good tools to others, in a humble manner, showing people how to use them, we see better outcomes and upward trends.
At Backpack, we are committed to developing programs that give good tools which can result in better outcomes in the lives of others. We need servant leaders, people who are willing to begin their own transformations and then offer the good thing to others. In this time of constant media interference in our thoughts and thinking patterns, people must be offered the opportunity to think their own thoughts and find their own best patterns of thinking.
"What do I value? Who is a true example? Whom do I admire and why? Where am I going and how will I get there? What could knock me off that course?"
These are the questions that people should be invited to reflect upon. Thoughtful living has never been more difficult to achieve or more important to acquire.
We are all on a journey, following a star. Backpack leaders lead as pilgrims themselves. Knowing how to be an example without being a reproach is the mark of solid leadership in any arena. In spiritual leadership? It is essential. Many of us have tried to offer spirituality or religion to others and have been shut down. That reality could say more about our methodology or agenda than about the people who reject what we offer.
Are you developing your leadership muscles? Are you moving forward spiritually? Are you accurately attuning to other people? Check us out. Maybe it’s time to begin.
Paula Holmes on
I absolutely love the idea of thoughtful living, and giving people the opportunity to think their own thoughts—to discover by reflection just how intrusive the media is in our lives, to practice being silent so as to listen to our conscience. I’ve been working on eliminating all gossip and cynicism in my interactions, and making an effort to make sure all my contributions are positive and thoughtfully aware that judging is above my pay grade. Before this, I hadn’t been aware of my unhelpful and unhealthy patterns of thinking, whether it be about politicians (they are people too) or the church or my acquaintances and friends. Now I am aware that it only takes a moment to pull a conversation to a positive light, with, say, a reminder of the power of prayer, or a reminder of how difficult such and such must be in this situation, leading by example in our speech in understanding of how everyone should be treated gently and kindly, that everyone has wounds and is fragile—handle with care.
Katherine Paredes on
Yes, to “be an example and not a reproach” to the people we are striving to lead, that is our challenge. Excellent!! Thank you!
Justin Sofio on
Love it. Needed the reminder.
Pamela Barnes on
How do I reach 7th graders? I’ve never been a teacher but the Lord has called me to teach ccd. I do my best but leave with uncertainty and insecurity. How do I respond to Christ’s call? How do I teach them to pray and find God within them?
Randy Rocha on
Thoughtful living is so right. Its not just a concept but a way of life. It is hard to maintain but used a a goal and journeying towards it, is they way. Or The Way as on Jesus. Thank you for this. A reminder for us all in the work we do for ourselves so we can show others. Remembering not to admonish ourselves for not being perfect and not being there. I am on this journey and am grateful for the amazing guidance. Thank you again! Peace
Valerie Bernier on
My prayers have been answered thru this ministry. I asked Jesus for special guidance especially during these times. Thankyou for all that U do and I look forward to become a true apostle with true humility and gentleness.
Mireillle on
When you see people not caring or reviving your Spiritual message it sometimes takes them 3 days to absorb it . Not always right away
Mary Pat Geringer on
Good, solid advice. 🙏
Gloria Weathers on
It seems when we are working on living with the virtues foremost, we are discounted for this. Not to be discouraged because our Lord was treated the same. The goodness that comes from each ripple of kindness in truth will move hearts more than anything else.