Good leaders are focused on the welfare of the people they lead, take responsibility for their poor decisions, are under authority, speak truth with love, and lead but don’t push.

In the story of the prodigal son, the father didn’t go after the lost son, didn’t berate him, but instead longed and waited and prayed for him. When the son returned, the father forgave him, but forgiveness did not restore the son’s inheritance.

During Jesus’ discussion with the mother of James and John and afterward with them and the rest of the disciples, Jesus said that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over their subjects, but this is not how it will be among my followers. In Jesus’ Kingdom, those who lead will be servants, and those who desire to be first will be slaves, just as the Son of Man came to serve and not to be served.

Both men and women have the opportunity to show leadership. The question is, how do we serve the people we lead?

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