Servant leadership is a slippery term. Like hot dogs, people know one when they see one but are not at all sure what goes into one (and may not want to know). Despite its vagueness, the term servant leadership seems to be an appropriate term to describe leadership in a Bible college or seminary setting, not just for those who lead but also for those who are being trained to lead.

by Jay Barnett Introduction Throughout the history of education in the United States there has been and continues to be...

During my six years of service as chief academic officer, I have come to understand that my initial perceptions of the role were inaccurate, or at least insufficient. The role of academic dean is much broader and deeper than a checklist of organizational tasks to be completed. It is a position of influence, through which the purposes of God can be accomplished in our institutions, if we are willing to serve Him humbly and faithfully.

When it comes to considering the Christian use of power, whether in a postmodern world or in any context, the example of Christ in going to the Cross, let alone in how he lived his life, informs leaders how they should use power. The necessity of the Cross reminds us of how inherently selfish, power-hungry, and relationally-dysfunctional we all can be, whether as leaders or in the population at large. We live in a fallen world and we exercise leadership as flawed people, even if redeemed and made in God’s image. Therefore, our attitude in exercising leadership and in interacting with the people we lead should come with a spirit of humility and awareness of our own weakness. The Son of God achieved his earthly mission by taking on the vulnerability of humanness, including enduring the humility and horror of death by crucifixion. We need leaders today who are more concerned about their character than a show of strength based around their competencies or charisma. Our leadership must emerge out of the self-denying, taking up of our cross to follow Christ and not out of a domestification of God to suit our own dreams and goals.