Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership

In a scholarly and meticulous, yet thoroughly approachable text, Don Howell has made a unique contribution to the field of leadership studies. Servants of the Servant is a biblical theology of leadership in which the author guides his readers through studies of eleven Old Testament and five New Testament leaders to present a cogent examination of leadership through the lens of Christian scripture. This reader found great benefit in reading the final chapter first, and would recommend that practice to anyone encountering the book for the first time, or reacquainting themselves with it. The “Profile of a Servant Leader” (pp. 296-301), contains an exceedingly helpful composite description of biblical leadership as described in the preceding chapters of the book. To employ this material both as introduction and as a summary/conclusion produced the benefits of showing the reward that awaits at the end of the journey, and glimpsing an overview of the path along which the author would guide the reader to that conclusion. It also served to highlight the commendable consistency of the author’s direction along the path. His introduction points directly to the conclusion, and all the steps along the way are both well-marked and masterfully laid out along a logical and easy-to-follow course. Servants of the Servant begins with a surprisingly brief introduction that perhaps even more surprisingly accomplishes its purpose in slightly less than four pages. Its primary objective is establishing Howell’s definition for biblical leadership, which would benefit from the elimination of the needless adjective, “passionately,” splitting the infinitive verb, “to promote.” Howell makes no case for passion in the elaboration of his definition in the following paragraphs and would likely agree that anyone who “takes the initiative to influence people to grow in holiness and to … promote the extension of God’s kingdom in the world” (p. 3), would undoubtedly qualify as a biblical leader whether or not passion was evident in the efforts. The introductory chapter closes with a brief explanation of the straightforward methodology Howell will employ in presenting the case for his biblical theology of leadership. The author immediately demonstrates a masterful grasp of his subject material and an ease of communicating it in a consistent and logical fashion. Howell knows a survey of biblical leadership is going to come inevitably to the subject of servanthood. Rather than working toward that concept, he opens with it. The word studies in chapters one and two describe the Bible’s elevation of the Hebrew and Greek terms for slave, servant, or minister from denoting a position of oppression, to one of great honor; i.e., the servant of the Lord. These two chapters demonstrate from the first pages that the leadership of Jesus from a posture of humble service is not an anomaly, but the culmination of the ideal of biblical leadership. Howell proceeds through the examples of Old Testament and then New Testament leaders in chronological order. Although each leader’s story is unique, offering a variety of lessons about the leaders God chooses, similarities in each one underscore the integrity of the author’s definition of biblical leadership. Joseph’s example demonstrates how God uses adversity to develop the leader’s character. Moses develops into an unwavering advocate for a people who are difficult to lead. Joshua’s story provides insight for someone succeeding a great leader. Deborah, Gideon, and Samson represent the judges of Israel and reveal God’s sovereignty in selecting, and faithfulness in equipping those He has chosen to lead. Samuel’s leadership during a critical transition period in the history of God’s people, though exceedingly challenging, was also singularly effective in guiding Israel to a brighter future. David’s profile, the lengthiest, highlights his intimate relationship with God, owing to a heart that desired and pursued God’s purposes. God’s covenant promise with David places him in the unique position as the standard of biblical leadership in the Old Testament. Because of the fidelity of David’s heart for God, not only is he an example, but becomes a progenitor in the lineage of the Messiah, the ultimate servant of the Lord. The author continues with Solomon, Daniel and Nehemiah, to present a well-rounded examination of leadership through the generations of God’s people to the close of the Old Testament. Howell devotes the third major section of the text to “Jesus: Equipper of Equippers” (p. 129). The three chapters describe Jesus’ training of His disciples to carry on His mission from His ascension until His return. They also establish the critical underpinnings of the theology of Jesus’ mission as He entrusted it to His followers. Being among them as one who served, He demonstrated the life of utter selfless abandon to God that would lead each of them to follow Him in becoming servants who lead. In Part Four, the author profiles a handful of the stewards of the gospel enterprise who accepted the call of Jesus to carry forward the mission. From the twelve disciples, he profiles Peter and John. Barnabas, Timothy, and Titus each, as in the case of the Old Testament leadership examples, provide both unique lessons from their individual gifts and challenges, as well as support for the composite portrait of a biblical leader from their similarities. The Apostle Paul and the leaders of the churches (Howell’s “faith communities”) comprise the fascinating subject matter for the final major section. Here, not only does the author give careful examination of Paul’s leadership, but also of the insightful consideration of qualifications Paul provides for those he considers eligible to exercise leadership in the church. Because Howell is a first-rate scholar of the Bible, his use of the scriptural narrative is smoothly interwoven with his application of it. He knows the text and he knows where it is leading. In relating the stories, he manages to select the details that demonstrate the relevance of the account without reducing it to a proof text. His giftedness as a teacher comes through, not only in the deft explanations of concepts, but in ancillary features of the text, such as the “preliminary questions to consider” at the opening of each chapter. His footnotes are also invaluable for illuminating the text with references to scripture, other writers, and informative word studies. The leadership profiles that conclude each chapter are an effective way of reviewing without annoying repetition. This is a talented professor getting his readers prepared for the test by helping them assimilate the material by means of a variety of proven techniques. Old Testament and New demonstrate that biblical leaders are servants, servants of God and servants of His people who take initiative to influence people to grow in holiness (their relationship with God), and to promote the extension of God’s kingdom (purposes) in the world. In a book accessible to scholar and layman, comprehensive in scope, though never unwieldy in proportion to its subject, Servants of the Servant is an indispensable addition to the library of anyone who desires to understand what God’s word teaches about the role of the biblical leader.

Good

This was required reading for a class at Grace University, GR, MI. Loved the book have purchased two!

Wonderful service by the Dixons!

This is such a great resource in setting a solid biblical foundation for leadership principles. I recommend it strongly!

The purpose of the book, according to the author, is to identify the traits, examples, and characteristics of leadership found in the Bible and then construct a profile of what kind of leadership "effectively promotes the kingdom of God in the world and meets with God's approval" (1). Howell contends that servant leadership is the biblical example of those God chooses for leadership in His kingdom. Leadership is defined as initiative and influence: the leader sees a need and addresses the need based on his or her governing principles. The leader uses influence to compel others to join in the cause and accomplish the objective of meeting the need (1). Whether or not a person's leadership is constructive and healthy depends on the leader's character, motives, and agenda. Howell contends these three things are at the heart of true biblical servant-leadership, and are the characteristics God considers when choosing a leader (2). He defines biblical leadership as "taking the initiative to influence people to grow in holiness and to passionately promote the extension of God's kingdom in the world" (3). Howell gives a good overview of the Old and New Testament terms for "servant" and "slave," drawing conclusions from how these terms are used and defined. The writers of the Old Testament take a term for oppression, "slave," and use it as a title of honor and dignity: servant of the Lord (10). The New Testament writers follow the same pattern by transforming the terms for "servant" and "slave" from secular understandings associated with humiliation and oppression into terms of great spiritual significance because of the example of Christ. An important section of Servants of the Servant describes Jesus' teaching on leadership as related to the kingdom of God. Howell explains three central lessons Jesus used and reinforced regularly to equip the disciples as kingdom stewards. First, Jesus passed on a theology of the kingdom of God, explaining how it has an already/not yet quality to it, allowing kingdom stewards to have clarity of mission and direction, to recognize the dynamics of kingdom growth, and to endure hardship because the end is certain. Secondly, Jesus taught that freedom in the new covenant is not the right to do as one pleases, but rather the Spirit-energized ability to live a life that pleases God because it reflects His character. Finally, Jesus taught that greatness in God's kingdom consists in imitating the Son of God who came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life for others. After detailing the biblical record and leadership profiles of many Old Testament and New Testament leaders, Howell concludes his book by providing the promised profile of biblical leadership. In his profile of a servant-leader, Howell again emphasizes three things: the proven character of the leader, or who a leader is and is becoming; the motive of the leader, which is to have a desire for God's glory and the spiritual welfare of God's people; and the agenda of the leader, which is nothing less than the mission of God to reconcile sinners to Himself through the blood of Jesus Christ. Servants of the Servant claims to be a biblical theology of leadership, and it is. Howell is able to help his readers grasp the transformation in the biblical understanding of terms such as "slave" and "servant" from demeaning terms of oppression and humiliation to titles of honor with deep theological significance drawn from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. There is evidence of extensive research with some thought given to application as well. Because of the technical nature of the language study the book would be an appropriate text for a seminary-level course in ministerial leadership. Each chapter is dedicated to the study of an Old or New Testament leader, and the chapters conclude with profiles of each leader. These summary thoughts contain excellent insight into the biblical leader's experience as a leader. Howell applies these insights to current leadership realities. The profiles are so full of implication and meaning that they should have been the focus of the entire chapter and not summary statements at the end. This is the greatest weakness of the book. The bulk of each chapter is dedicated to recounting the biblical record, but the meat for leadership studies is found primarily in the smaller summary sections. Servants of the Servant does manage to distinguish itself from other works on biblical servant-leadership. Efrain Agosto approaches the subject from the perspective of action - what the servant-leader does, such as engage in social justice and empower followers (Efrain Agosto, Servant Leadership: Jesus and Paul. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2005). C. Gene Wilkes unpacks the idea of serving by highlighting the recipient or recipients of the service by saying the servant-leader serves the mission given by God and serves those on mission with the servant-leader (C. Gene Wilkes, Jesus on Leadership: Timeless Wisdom on Servant Leadership. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 1998). Howell brings out that leaders are servant-leaders because of who they are - a servant-leader's action is the result of an inward reality. A leader's character, motives, and agenda are all defined and transformed by Christ, and these inward realities define how a servant-leader leads. Howell describes two New Testament terms and their usage: doulos or slave is one who has offered his or her "entire life to promote the welfare of one's Lord" (14), and diakonos or servant is one who, in humility and love, "expresses that surrender by pursuing the welfare of one's fellow servants" (14). These correspond to Wilkes' idea of serving the mission given by God and serving those on mission with the leader. Wilkes has a stronger emphasis on followership in his explanation of servant-leadership than Howell or Agosto. Howell assumes followership in the servant-leader's transformed character, motives, and agenda, but Wilkes does a better of job of emphasizing the importance of keeping God as the leader and submitting to Christ in all things. Servants of the Servant makes good contributions to the study of biblical servant-leadership, especially in the area of understanding the transformed nature of the leader's interior life and motives. For this reason, it is an important addition to the library of students of biblical servant-leadership.

The book arrived on time and was in excellent shape - just a few markings. Very satisfied.

I bought this book for a retreat I was leading for my leadership team (I'm a campus minister) on servant leadership. At first, I was surprised by the academic tone of the book, but I grew to like it. The author gives some basics and background information and then delves into different Biblical Leaders and their particular styles later in the book, devoting a chapter to each. I think that this is the great gift this book offers: taking individual Biblical leaders in all their imperfection and analyzing each one. I think that this book is great for leading a retreat, discussion, or workshop, but can also be taken into prayer by those of us in Church leadership.

Textbook for university