Understanding Servant Leadership: Principles and Foundations – Lessons Learned from Lynn Anderson

by Grady King

 

Several years ago, I was on a plane reading They Smell Like Sheep in preparation for some time with elders. I noticed the man sitting next to me looking at the title. He said, “Excuse me, I did not know Lynn Anderson wrote about sheep. I thought she was a country singer.” I smiled and said, “Not the same Lynn Anderson.”  The conversation continued about Lynn and more specifically, what he meant by “They Smell Like Sheep”— a call for elders to be shepherds among the people in contrast to functioning as a board of directors. For Lynn, his conviction was not that elders do not have authority, rather their authority derived from their character and care of people. That is where their priorities must be. As Lynn said, “A shepherd is who a God hungry person wants to be like.” With a heart for God and people, Lynn smelled like sheep. 

Lynn went home to Jesus on May 12, 2022, at 85 years of age. I miss his contagious spirit and encouraging voice. He was, in every way, a pastor-teacher. He loved God, people, and the church with a kingdom heart. (See Christian Chronicle Tribute). I have known Lynn since I was 21 and without reservation, he was one of the most important influences in my life. He poured into me with care, wisdom, and at times, admonition. I have read everything he has written, traveled many miles with him, walked in the Saskatchewan grasslands of his childhood, prayed, cried, and laughed with him. His work on Psalms- “Talking Back to God” has rekindled my soul many times as well as the candor of his book: “If I Really Believe, Why Do I Have All These Doubts?”

For over a decade I have been in leadership with HOPE Network which Lynn and Carolyn founded in 1996. They walked along side hundreds of church leaders and their spouses with faith, hope and love. Servant leadership led the way for the Andersons as they mentored, guided, and blessed church leaders. Lynn was relational to the core focused on Jesus as the good shepherd and model for ministry. Their hospitality was intentional characterized by support and vulnerability. Church leaders found hope and renewal in their ministry and for their congregations through his preaching, teaching, writing, and mentoring. Lynn was relational to the core focused on Jesus as the good 

Lynn loved to pray and worship alone and with others—a servant rhythm in his life. His ability to memorize Scripture and recite it with passion, vulnerability and longing for God punctuated how he mentored. I can still hear his voice reciting the Psalm, 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul and do not forget all his benefits—“
Psalm 103.1-2

Prayer accentuated his life and ministry. Lynn shared this prayer in a mentoring group years ago which provides insight into his humanity and dependence on God.

The Prayer of Lynn’s Heart Before Preaching

Lynn shared this prayer in a mentoring group years ago which provides insight into his humanity and dependence on God.

Lord, you have promised wisdom—and for wisdom I now pray. Father, you know my motives. You know I want to be seen, heard, admired, and respected. But please sift through my blighted motives to search out those deserving of your blessings. You know I also want to minister to life hungry souls, hope to broken hearts, to reach lost people, and, most of all, to glorify your name. Forgive the sins of the speaker, for they are many. O lord God Almighty, may your Holy Spirit be mightily at work in every dimension of this assembly.

Servant leadership is rooted in glorifying God. Leaders embody faithfulness, humility, and selflessness, reflecting Jesus’ example (Phil 2.2f; Jn 13). God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4.6). The following principles guide servant leaders to focus on God’s kingdom and his righteousness (Mt 6.33). 

Principles of Servant Leadership I Learned from Lynn Anderson

1. 1. PASSION for God – longing to know God and his heart.
   2. RHYTHM for life – following Jesus to the mountain before the marketplace
   3. PRESENCE in relationships – people over tasks, always 
   4. CHARACTER as priority – capacity and competence are secondary
   5. COMMUNITY with others – God is communal as Father, Son, and Spirit.
   6. GOSPELS at the center – priorities of the ministry of Jesus
   7. ENCOURAGE, EQUIP, EMPOWER – think and act for the next generation.

Lynn loved God. Dwelling in scripture shaped his vision of God, preaching and mentoring. He read widely with gospel discernment and integrity. His honesty, vulnerability and hospitality punctuated his life and ministry.  

Servant leadership showed up in this prayer he shared often.

I pray, Father that you will put your love into my heart by the Holy Spirit, so that I will genuinely and emotionally care for this people. Lord, you know my body is sometimes, weak, or tired or sick and my mind feels dull. I am helpless on my own strength. But you have promised that “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead, will give life to mortal bodies—and energy and vitality to see this hour through. Strengthen me with might by your spirit in the inner man, so that this message will not merely be exegesis plus communication plus human charisma, but something transcendent from you, O God. 

I heard him pray like this many times. I still hear his voice in my souls and feel his presence in my life.

Thank you, Lord!