The Concept Of Love And Servant Leadership By James Hunter

As the name suggests, the author describes how we need to be good servants if we are wanting to be good leaders. It takes servanthood in order to influence individuals and make them perform tasks that are necessary for success. At the basis of servant leadership is the concept of love. Without love, there cannot be successful servanthood or leadership, much less be an active servant leader. Hunter provides a model when he describes his leadership paradigm (pg. 89). It starts with will. If we have the proper will, we can love (see section 2 on love and the will). Without will, this cannot be accomplished. Loving, in turns, includes service and sacrifice. Proper love requires sacrifice. Without sacrifices, we are likely not legitimately meeting …show more content…
It is probably my favorite aspect that is argued and driven throughout the text as well. First off, the main concept and importance behind love is the idea that love is a verb. James Hunter states that love is not “how you feel toward others but how you behave toward others” (pg. 125). It is also discussed how many individuals confused this concept and idea. In order to successfully serve someone, it needs to be an active participation in that person’s life. Without this, we can fall into the category that Hunter suggests when he proposes that “intentions – actions = squat” (pg. 88). If we do not have actions towards another person’s life, we are not loving to the extent that is needed in order to serve. We can have all the intentions in the world, but without actions, it is simply not love. Some of the qualities of love are patience, kindness, humility, respectfulness, selflessness, forgiveness, honestly, and commitment (pg. 99). It is no coincidence that these are also all the qualities of a great …show more content…
Love is the central theme in The Servant and it is an important one in the movie as well. The parents of Timothy never seize to love Timothy. The text describes love as a verb or as an action. His parents do not simply state they love Timothy, they definitely show it to him in everything they do. They stick up for him when need and provide everything he would need. Another character the shows strong characteristics of love is Timothy, himself. In just about everything that he does, it is out of a serving and loving way. One instance I noticed was when he was giving water to his grandfather during a game or when he gives his leaves away to those he cares about. Giving is definitely a characteristic of loving others. Based on his characteristics, I imagine he would have given everything he had away if he had the opportunity to do