Religious Conversion and Servant Leadership.

In today’s Google search for servant leadership in the news, I came across an article with some quotes from Gene Wilkes the author of “Jesus on Leadership”. Although I have not read his book, some of what Wilkes says in relation to the topics discussed in the article troubled me.

According to Wilkes, “There is a seduction [in ministry] to adopt the business model for leadership, […] we must remember that this is a spiritual endeavor and that changed lives are the goal. The servant-leader must be a model [of] Christ with a biblical worldview. […]The servant leadership of Jesus is a universal model for those who lead in ministry and the marketplace -– and it is the most effective model.”

The article seems to be about a ministry that strives to convert people to Christianity as a way of making their life’s better. Equating conversion to one particular religion with meeting peoples most important needs does not seem to about listening to those you serve. As I learn more about other religions and servant leadership, I have come to understand that servant leadership is a concept that is much more universal than any one religion. At their cores, all major religions teach servant leadership principles, and I also believe that even non-religious people make great servant leaders. Servant leadership is at it core spiritual and not necessarily religious. History has shown that religion and spirituality are not always equal.

For what they are worth, my thoughts on the news for the day.