Lead Through Service By Donna Bostick

Why the Best Lead by Serving First

“We lead each other best when we serve each other most.”

Shelley Giglio

Shelley Giglio’s words beautifully capture this timeless biblical truth. This isn’t simply an inspiring quote—it’s the leadership model Jesus demonstrated every day.

Leadership books promise the secrets to influence. Personality assessments tell us how we’re wired. Coffee helps many of us survive Monday mornings. But Jesus gave us a much simpler—and much more powerful—leadership strategy: Serve one another.

Jesus Redefined Leadership

In a culture where titles, influence, and authority often measure leadership, Jesus turned expectations upside down.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

Mark 10:43

The greatest leaders in God’s Kingdom are those who willingly place the needs of others ahead of their own. They listen before speaking. Encouragement precedes criticism. They build others up rather than seeking recognition for themselves.

Service Builds Trust

People don’t follow titles—they follow leaders they trust.

When leaders consistently serve their teams, volunteers, donors, and communities, they create environments where people feel valued, heard, and empowered.

Let’s be honest: serving isn’t always glamorous. It rarely comes with applause, corner offices, or awards. Sometimes it looks like staying late to help a teammate, making difficult phone calls, or letting someone else have the last donut in the break room.

Those small moments often reveal the biggest hearts.

Servant leadership creates:

• Stronger relationships
• Greater collaboration
• Higher engagement
• Healthier organizational cultures
• Lasting Kingdom impact

Leadership Is Influence Through Humility

The Apostle Paul encouraged believers:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

Philippians 2:3

Humility isn’t weakness. It’s strength surrendered to God. The most influential Christian leaders understand that leadership is less about being in charge and more about helping others flourish.

Five Ways to Practice Servant Leadership Today

Whether you lead a ministry, nonprofit, church, or business, ask yourself:

• How can I make someone else’s day easier?
• Who needs encouragement from me today?
• Am I listening as much as I’m speaking?
• Am I developing future leaders?
• How can I reflect Christ in my decisions?

Leadership doesn’t always require a platform. Sometimes it simply requires a towel—just as Jesus demonstrated when He washed His disciples’ feet.

The CLA Difference

At Christian Leadership Alliance, we believe leadership is a calling to serve. Through Christ-centered learning, trusted relationships, and practical leadership development, we equip leaders to multiply their Kingdom impact while remaining grounded in biblical principles.

Because when leaders serve well, ministries flourish. Communities grow stronger. Lives are transformed.

A Leadership Challenge

This week, intentionally serve someone without expecting recognition.

• Write the encouraging note.
• Share the credit.
• Offer to help.
• Pray with a colleague.
• Bring the coffee.

(Trust us… the coffee counts.)

You may discover your greatest influence isn’t found in what you accomplish—but in how faithfully you serve others.

Because it’s true:

“We lead each other best when we serve each other most.”

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Donna Bostick serves as Manager of Conference Engagement at CLA. With 28 years of marketplace leadership and a passion for Christian leadership development, she supports leaders in growing, serving, and multiplying God’s light.

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