Here is part 3 of our series on Affirmation: J. Oswald Sanders, in his now-classic Spiritual Leadership, claims that “true greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.” Max De Pree, the former CEO of Herman Miller and author of bestselling leadership literature, defines leadership this way: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. That sums up the progress of an artful leader.”
Serving others is not only the best way to lead, it is also the best way to serve ourselves. Pete Wilson made headlines this week when the popular megachurch pastor resigned from his position, citing burnout and stress. As he noted, “Leaders who lead on empty don’t lead well. For some time, I’ve been leading on empty.” Christianity Today is reporting on the thousands of pastors like Rev. Wilson who will leave the ministry this year, burned out and hurting.
