-Servant Leadership
-Beginnings
-Going Deeper
-Prayer & Contemplation

A Few Words About Servant Leadership

So often when people ask me what I do for work and I tell them that I direct the Servant Leadership School at the Franciscan Center, I receive a quizzical look in response.  A few of the more courageous folks will ask, “What is that?”  Let me begin my attempt to answer that question with a short personal story.

Back in my corporate days I received some of the best leadership training available.  I remember one training program in particular that included 360 degree evaluations (self-assessment, peer assessments, supervisor’s assessment and subordinate’s assessments), personal coaching, role play, reflection, etc.  It was excellent training with excellent information.  I came back to my office glad for the new leadership techniques I had learned but aching for something more, something I was unable to define, and within days became frustrated at how quickly I returned to the “business as usual” mindset.  What I see now is that the training I received gave me new tools to use, but it did not touch me deeply, it did not make its way inside my heart and soul and help me discover the leader within.  Servant leadership does just that -  it is not a training program, it is a formation process – and there is a world of difference between the two.

Servant leadership is a way of living, serving and leading that is creative, respectful and empowering.  Servant leaders listen deeply, are empathic, self-aware and intuitive.  Servant leaders understand the paradoxical nature of power; they seek to balance action and contemplation in their own lives; they are peacemakers and community builders.  Robert Greenleaf, Founder of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership (www.greenleaf.org) said it this way: “Servant leadership is a practical philosophy which supports people who choose to serve first, and then lead as a way of expanding service to individuals and institutions.  Servant leaders may or may not hold formal leadership positions.  Servant leadership encourages collaboration, trust, foresight, listening and the ethical use of power and empowerment.”

It is not easy to be a servant leader in today’s world; as I like to say, this is counter-cultural stuff.  It may not be easy, but it is good and joy-filled work, especially when it is done in a supportive community of like-minded folks like the people who are a part of the Servant Leadership School at the Franciscan Center.  I hope you will consider learning more about Servant Leadership.  Please call me, or any of the people who steward the school so well, to learn more.

Peace and all good,

Melina Rudman, Director
Servant Leadership School at the Franciscan Center

Beginnings

Beginnings is a nine-month, 18 topic program designed for people interested in discovering and developing the servant-leader within themselves.  We meet twice a month for 90 minutes from September - May in circles of 8 - 14 people.  Registration is for all 18 sessions.  You may choose to attend on Monday mornings or Wednesday evenings at the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry.  Twice this year, once on a Saturday morning and once on a Wednesday evening, both circles will come together as a single circle.

Going Deeper

Going Deeper & Facilitator's Internship: this program, for those who have completed Beginnings, starts where that program left off, bringing participants deeper into the study of servant leadership.  These gatherings will take the form of conversations and reflections on a series of books and articles that speak to our hearts and inform our minds about the spirituality and practice of servant leadership in today's world.  For those interested in becoming facilitators of 'Beginnings' the program will continue through mid-May, and will cover additional topics such as 'creating sacred space', prayerful facilitation and more.

Prayer & Contemplation

Lectio Divina, or sacred reading, is an ancient practice of "listening with the heart."  Through lectio we can experience God alive in Scripture and informing our lives with wisdom, humility, gratitude and awe. These are small, prayerful gatherings filled with silence and sharing.

Theological Reflection: Come journey together with others as we uncover God's presence in shared accounts of our lives.  Theological Reflection allows participants to "freeze" a moment in time and explore the possibilities and opportunities for God to move in that moment.  We will look at the implications for our own lives in what we discover.  

The Gospel of John: In this shared study of John's Gospel we will consider Jesus as a role model as servant leader.  We will look at the stories John tells and ask, "What do we notice about Jesus' style of ministry and his particular way of being with other people?" "Where do we see him living out the characteristics of servant leadership?"  Most importantly, we will come to understand the Gospel and its implications for our own lives more deeply.

Covenant Circles: These circles are small groups of four to six people who covenant, or agree, to gather once a month for 90 minutes to explore their spiritual journey as servant leaders.  Groups will be facilitated by trained spiritual directors.  Each monthly gathering will begin with a period of silence and prayer.  Sharing will be focused on what God might be revealing to you through your life and ministry.  Deep listening and respect for God's work in each individual will be practiced as we explore in Christ, and with one another, the hopes and fears of living and leading in this counter-cultural way.