2. Servanthood: Leading from Beneath
Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:7
“Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
The Servant Posture of True Leadership
When Paul describes Christ as taking on “the very nature of a servant,” he redefines leadership not by position or power, but by posture. In Philippians 2:7, we encounter the paradox at the heart of kingdom leadership: true greatness is found in lowering oneself to lift others.
This servant-hearted approach runs counter to modern ideas of top-down control, but it’s precisely the model Jesus exemplified—and the one Paul urges leaders to follow. The Philippians church, facing challenges of pride and division, needed a leadership reset. So do many modern organizations and churches.
The Servant Leadership Framework
Larry Spears, building on Greenleaf’s model, identified ten key characteristics of servant leaders—many of which appear in Christ’s example in Philippians:
Listening
Empathy
Healing
Awareness
Persuasion
Conceptualization
Foresight
Stewardship
Commitment to the growth of people
Building community
Servanthood is not passive. It’s a strategic, intentional commitment to others’ development and to a flourishing community. Jesus, though God, actively served: washing feet, feeding crowds, healing the sick. Servant leadership is not about status—it’s about sacrifice for the good of others.
Transformational Leadership: Leading by Example
Transformational leadership theory, developed by Bernard Bass and James Burns, focuses on leaders who inspire and elevate followers by modeling integrity and care. One of the key behaviors of transformational leaders is idealized influence, where leaders set an example through humility, vision, and consistency.
Christ’s incarnation is the ultimate act of idealized influence. By becoming human and choosing servanthood, Jesus models not just moral character but leadership in its purest form. Paul’s challenge to Philippian leaders is the same: your posture determines your power.
Power Under Control
Servanthood doesn’t mean the absence of authority—it means authority expressed through love. Leaders who serve don’t abdicate responsibility; they accept it with grace and empathy. They lead “from beneath,” empowering others to rise.
In practice, this means:
Inviting feedback and acting on it.
Developing others with no strings attached.
Putting team wins ahead of personal recognition.
Taking the hardest tasks or sacrifices when necessary.
Culture-Shaping Leadership
When leaders lead with a servant heart, they build cultures of trust, safety, and empowerment. Teams are more resilient, employees are more engaged, and conflicts are less toxic. Why? Because people flourish under leaders who use their influence for others’ benefit.
Paul reminds us that Jesus’ servanthood resulted not in loss but in exaltation (Philippians 2:9). Servanthood may look like downward mobility in the world’s eyes—but it’s the pathway to lasting impact.
Reflective Questions:
In what ways can you take on a servant’s role in your organization today?
Are there team members you’re overlooking that need your time, training, or care?
How does your leadership reflect Jesus’ model of choosing the towel over the title?