Servant Leadership (Part 3)

This week we have been reviewing the story of Nehemiah as a servant leader. His skill surfaced in the effort expended in doing his homework in a fact-finding mission. We also discovered his invaluable ability to share his vision clearly as well as motivating leaders with good news! Today we see Nehemiah “in overalls” joining the work team.

6) Nehemiah was personally involved in the project (Neh. 3). There seem to be two extremes in pastoral involvement in major building projects: We are either too involved, to the detriment of our pulpit ministry, or we are too uninvolved. In the latter case, an “ivory tower” life isolates the leader from any major undertakings in the church.

Nehemiah definitely leaned toward the side of involvement. Sometimes the third chapter in Nehemiah is overlooked. There appears to be an endless listing of names and places and gates and occupations! But don’t miss it. Because of his uncanny organizational ability, Nehemiah arranged this rebuilding job by families. And he wisely set them to work in front of their own homes (3:10) so that the view out their windows drastically improved before their eyes. He also had family members work together (3:12) so that the children could learn what it meant to serve.

In this undertaking, the leader set the example of a deep level of involvement in the project. We cannot expect people to enthusiastically get behind a project unless they see this spirit in their leader. Reading Nehemiah 4:21-23 shows motivation by example. No wonder they finished in 52 days! How are you doing in balancing the many roles you fill as a servant leader?