Effective leaders start out as followers. John 10:1-15 highlights trust as the critical ingredient in a relationship between a shepherd and his sheep; sheep follow if they trust their shepherd’s voice. Understanding the value of trust equips change agents to help others deal with their emotions of instability and insecurity when confronted with change. Leaders build trust when they sacrifice their well-being for the sake of their followers. Thus shepherding is also defined by servanthood. 

One of the most powerful moments with our staff was when my wife and I washed their feet during an annual retreat in the spirit of John 13:14-17. Several years later I had that privilege again at a church in Uganda. After training a number of church leaders, my training partner and I joined them in washing their church members’ feet at the graduation ceremony. Jesus’ symbol of servanthood was to define his followers’ leadership. 

Years later after Christ first washed his disciples' feet, Paul reminded the church to “follow [his] example, as [he followed] the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Likewise, Peter exhorted Christ-followers to endure suffering and walk in the steps of Jesus. Followers lead by example. Effective leaders serve their followers. 

Matthew 20:20-28 records the story of a mother requesting of Jesus that her two sons sit beside him in the coming Kingdom. Jesus took it as an opportunity to address a key area of human brokenness as it relates to rulership. “Not so with you,” he instructed his disciples after naming the authoritarian viewpoint of the day. “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

Kingdom change materializes in the context of serving. Effective leaders desiring to lead others through transformation must first experience it for themselves.