The importance of servant leadership

This week, I have been reflecting on servant leadership. That was the topic of my message to our Texas Baptists staff in chapel on Monday morning and it relates to various events this week.

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to bring the keynote message at the Texas Baptists Hispanic Leadership Conference. Rolando Rodriguez, director of Texas Baptists en Español, designed the conference under the theme “Metanoia: Spiritual Leadership in a Virtual World.”

The conference explored the challenges and opportunities of leading from a transformed and renewed mind (metanoia) in an era moving toward the metaverse, AI and virtual reality.

I shared with attendees five characteristics of spiritual leadership found in the Scriptures. One of those is servant leadership. Jesus taught his disciples that the highest level of leadership in his kingdom is that of a servant of all. It was countercultural then, and it is countercultural today too.

On Tuesday night, several Texas Baptists staff members and I attended Howard Payne University’s Robnett Founders Dinner in Brownwood. This year, the recipient of the Dr. John D. Robnett Founders Award was Texas Baptists. Following is a quote from the printed program:

Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) churches, collectively, are the largest donor to Howard Payne University. From 1960-2025, BGCT financial support of HPU totaled $53,427,613.

Representing the Christ-centered generosity of thousands of member churches across the Lone Star State, Texas Baptists supports Howard Payne University and has helped launch the careers of thousands of ministers throughout the state in Texas Baptists churches…

…From its inception in 1886, Texas Baptists has been actively involved in education and social ministries, as well as evangelism and missions. Texas Baptists has launched thousands of churches, assisted in the development of hospitals, children’s homes and homes for the aged; and supported and/or established numerous schools and universities.

Howard Payne University is a grateful recipient of annual Texas Baptists funding, which has provided countless HPU students with scholarships and has helped the university develop programming and hire faculty who guide our students to answer God’s call on their lives.

I accepted this award on behalf of you, Texas Baptists churches and individuals, in celebration of the rich, 130-year partnership between Howard Payne University and Texas Baptists. 

From the podium, I acknowledged the servant leadership of Dr. Cory Hines, HPU president. The many HPU faculty members and alumni whom I have met through the years also display Christ-like servant leadership.

What a great investment and what a great partnership we share. Thank you for your generosity through the Cooperative Program that makes possible this kind of legacy and multi-generational impact in the kingdom of God.

Tonight, I will give a greeting at our annual Congreso event in Keller, TX. This historical gathering of young people impacts lives as they are called to faith in Christ, faithfulness in evangelism and disciple-making and to Christ-centered vocation. I answered God’s call to vocational ministry at Congreso during my high school years. I pray God continues to call and shape servant leaders!

In closing, there has been much talk this week about a pair of student-planned events to be held on the campus of Baylor University. Tomorrow, I will share an additional update focused on that situation. 

May we all desire to be not first but last, and model the servant leadership of Christ to those around us.