When considering what makes a good servant-leader, the answer is usually a list of qualifications that begins and ends with accomplishments from his past. But this can be misleading. How were these achieved? What special endowments did he begin with that he did not acquire on his own? Who provided those endowments? These are measurable. But there is one that is not—discernment.
To the question “How does one acquire discernment?”Microsoft Copilot answers:
Discernment is acquired through a combination of self‑awareness, critical thinking, emotional regulation, reflection, wise influences, and patience. It is not automatic; it is developed intentionally over time.
(It is) the ability to judge well, differentiate truth from error, and make thoughtful decisions based on insight rather than impulse.
Sitting through ordination councils and serving on committees evaluating doctoral theses, I found that discernment was often absent based on how the candidate responded to questions rather than what the candidate knew or had accomplished.
A good servant-leader must have a disciplined mind. Paul instructed Timothy, “If any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” (1 Tim 3:1) Discernment begins with being willing to put time and effort into the process. The term “aspires” (Gk oregomai is Middle Voice, “to stretch oneself” (Strong’s Concordance).
Peter exhorted those of the diaspora:
I exhort the elders among you…shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; (1 Peter 5:1-2)
One term, hegeomai, with its cognates, puts this in perspective. It occurs twenty-eight times in the NT. The English transliteration is hegemony. In popular parlance today, this term means “political, cultural, or ideological dominance” (Microsoft Copilot). History is awash in strong, dominating leadership. Not all has been negative, but none has brought lasting peace to the world because of the foibles of such leadership.
Paul exhorted the overseers and deacons at Philippi:
If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (Phil 2:1-6)
Hegeomai occurs six times in Philippians, demonstrating how important the discernment of the servant-leader is. The only way to have a vision for the future that will glorify God is for the church’s leadership to be discerning. This requires understanding the past and the present. Otherwise, the mistakes of the past and failure to understand the present will continue to limit what can be accomplished in the future.