If there is one verse those of us in ministry can relate to, it’s the one that says the harvest is many but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37). I’ve heard a statistic thrown around that twenty percent of the people do eighty percent of the work. Finding qualified, faithful, teachable volunteers is difficult. And in that difficulty, it is tempting to fill a spot with a warm body rather than a humble servant. Especially if that warm body also seems to come with talent and knowledge.
Do not be deceived into believing talent and knowledge equal maturity. This is dangerous ground for the church to walk on.
We once met a person who seemed to check every box for the kind of volunteer church leaders dream of having.
Available? Check.
Musically gifted? Check.
Knowledgeable of the Word? Check.
Faithfully attending? Check.
Comfortable speaking on stage? Check.
Willing to teach? Check.
From where we stood it was all systems go and a big thumbs up for our church where the needs were many but the workers were few. Hindsight being what it is, I know now one essential character trait was not present and it made all the difference in the world down the road.
Humility.
This person would proceed to wreak havoc in the following months. What at first seemed to be an amazing partnership soon turned into a divisive mess of accusations, power-grabbing, and chaos.
So often when there is a great need for help, we are too quick to promote and approve volunteers without waiting to see their character played out. Or without asking difficult questions for fear of turning people off to serving. This can have disastrous consequences and leave the church wounded, frightened, and limping rather than living in freedom and running on mission. I have learned the hard way some helpful insights from the Word about how to identify humble leaders.
- “For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.” 2 Corinthians 10:18
Is this person coming in and presenting themselves as God’s gift to your church? Are they eager to take positions of prestige, power, or praise? Do they reject the “unseen” opportunities (making coffee, locking up after service, watering flowers, setting up chairs, etc.)?
- “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31
Does this person come with a shiny resume boasting of their previous accomplishments? Do they talk about their credentials, or their dependence upon God?
- “So that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:5
Are you more drawn to their talent (persuasive words of wisdom, as Paul says) or to their character? Are their marketable abilities swaying your discernment about their character?
- “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” 1 Corinthians 8:1
Does this person have extensive knowledge of the Bible, theology, or church history but lacks love? Further along in this letter, Paul will compare that kind of knowledge to an annoying banging cymbal. Knowledge does not equal maturity.
- “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1
Is this person a mirror? Or are they standing in a spotlight? Do they deflect personal glory and instead reflect Jesus to the world? Or do they boldly step into the spotlight and receive applause?
To sum up those questions, is this person humble?
When I read about how Jesus walked on earth, I see Him in constant humility. Constantly pointing glory to God the Father. Constantly serving. Re-read the Gospels and take note of the verbs surrounding Jesus: kneeling, walking, sitting, resting, holding, weeping, sharing, asking, praying.
His first humble appearance in a shoddy manger set the tone for how He would live His brief time on earth. He avoided the spotlight, deflected glory. Even as He rode into Jerusalem to the praises of the Jews and the waving of palm branches, to what event was He being paraded? His own death, the undeserving punishment for our sins. He laid down His life in humility, in humiliation even. “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death–even to death on across.” Philippians 2:8
We know God has called us to equip the saints, to feed the sheep, to be salt and light. We also know that it is “only God who gives the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:7 Our dependence upon Him is the only way to accomplish what He has called us to. Don’t be tempted into placing a person in leadership simply because the need exists. Let’s patiently wait on God, seeking out the humble and lowly. Not becoming distracted by those with flashy smiles and false servanthood.
When we lead in humility, we create a safe church for hungry and wounded sheep. Humility is a guardrail against wolves, against false teachers, against the enemy.
Grace and peace.
Taking it deeper:
What character traits do you look for in church volunteers?
Talent doesn’t automatically mean someone is prideful, but it can distract us from red flags. Have you ever experienced that in ministry?
How can we, as shepherds, model humble leadership?
All verses are from the CSB translation.
Thank you for this challenging and concise treatment of the biblical qualities for servant leadership, Jen. It’s SO easy to see the wrapping of the package with people and not what’s hiding beneath. May we all be discerning in who we place in positions of leadership.
Absolutely, Wendy!