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# Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership

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Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership [Howell Jr., Don N.] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership

Review: Excellent Resource - In a scholarly and meticulous, yet thoroughly approachable text, Don Howell has made a unique contribution to the field of leadership studies. Servants of the Servant is a biblical theology of leadership in which the author guides his readers through studies of eleven Old Testament and five New Testament leaders to present a cogent examination of leadership through the lens of Christian scripture. This reader found great benefit in reading the final chapter first, and would recommend that practice to anyone encountering the book for the first time, or reacquainting themselves with it. The “Profile of a Servant Leader” (pp. 296-301), contains an exceedingly helpful composite description of biblical leadership as described in the preceding chapters of the book. To employ this material both as introduction and as a summary/conclusion produced the benefits of showing the reward that awaits at the end of the journey, and glimpsing an overview of the path along which the author would guide the reader to that conclusion. It also served to highlight the commendable consistency of the author’s direction along the path. His introduction points directly to the conclusion, and all the steps along the way are both well-marked and masterfully laid out along a logical and easy-to-follow course. Servants of the Servant begins with a surprisingly brief introduction that perhaps even more surprisingly accomplishes its purpose in slightly less than four pages. Its primary objective is establishing Howell’s definition for biblical leadership, which would benefit from the elimination of the needless adjective, “passionately,” splitting the infinitive verb, “to promote.” Howell makes no case for passion in the elaboration of his definition in the following paragraphs and would likely agree that anyone who “takes the initiative to influence people to grow in holiness and to … promote the extension of God’s kingdom in the world” (p. 3), would undoubtedly qualify as a biblical leader whether or not passion was evident in the efforts. The introductory chapter closes with a brief explanation of the straightforward methodology Howell will employ in presenting the case for his biblical theology of leadership. The author immediately demonstrates a masterful grasp of his subject material and an ease of communicating it in a consistent and logical fashion. Howell knows a survey of biblical leadership is going to come inevitably to the subject of servanthood. Rather than working toward that concept, he opens with it. The word studies in chapters one and two describe the Bible’s elevation of the Hebrew and Greek terms for slave, servant, or minister from denoting a position of oppression, to one of great honor; i.e., the servant of the Lord. These two chapters demonstrate from the first pages that the leadership of Jesus from a posture of humble service is not an anomaly, but the culmination of the ideal of biblical leadership. Howell proceeds through the examples of Old Testament and then New Testament leaders in chronological order. Although each leader’s story is unique, offering a variety of lessons about the leaders God chooses, similarities in each one underscore the integrity of the author’s definition of biblical leadership. Joseph’s example demonstrates how God uses adversity to develop the leader’s character. Moses develops into an unwavering advocate for a people who are difficult to lead. Joshua’s story provides insight for someone succeeding a great leader. Deborah, Gideon, and Samson represent the judges of Israel and reveal God’s sovereignty in selecting, and faithfulness in equipping those He has chosen to lead. Samuel’s leadership during a critical transition period in the history of God’s people, though exceedingly challenging, was also singularly effective in guiding Israel to a brighter future. David’s profile, the lengthiest, highlights his intimate relationship with God, owing to a heart that desired and pursued God’s purposes. God’s covenant promise with David places him in the unique position as the standard of biblical leadership in the Old Testament. Because of the fidelity of David’s heart for God, not only is he an example, but becomes a progenitor in the lineage of the Messiah, the ultimate servant of the Lord. The author continues with Solomon, Daniel and Nehemiah, to present a well-rounded examination of leadership through the generations of God’s people to the close of the Old Testament. Howell devotes the third major section of the text to “Jesus: Equipper of Equippers” (p. 129). The three chapters describe Jesus’ training of His disciples to carry on His mission from His ascension until His return. They also establish the critical underpinnings of the theology of Jesus’ mission as He entrusted it to His followers. Being among them as one who served, He demonstrated the life of utter selfless abandon to God that would lead each of them to follow Him in becoming servants who lead. In Part Four, the author profiles a handful of the stewards of the gospel enterprise who accepted the call of Jesus to carry forward the mission. From the twelve disciples, he profiles Peter and John. Barnabas, Timothy, and Titus each, as in the case of the Old Testament leadership examples, provide both unique lessons from their individual gifts and challenges, as well as support for the composite portrait of a biblical leader from their similarities. The Apostle Paul and the leaders of the churches (Howell’s “faith communities”) comprise the fascinating subject matter for the final major section. Here, not only does the author give careful examination of Paul’s leadership, but also of the insightful consideration of qualifications Paul provides for those he considers eligible to exercise leadership in the church. Because Howell is a first-rate scholar of the Bible, his use of the scriptural narrative is smoothly interwoven with his application of it. He knows the text and he knows where it is leading. In relating the stories, he manages to select the details that demonstrate the relevance of the account without reducing it to a proof text. His giftedness as a teacher comes through, not only in the deft explanations of concepts, but in ancillary features of the text, such as the “preliminary questions to consider” at the opening of each chapter. His footnotes are also invaluable for illuminating the text with references to scripture, other writers, and informative word studies. The leadership profiles that conclude each chapter are an effective way of reviewing without annoying repetition. This is a talented professor getting his readers prepared for the test by helping them assimilate the material by means of a variety of proven techniques. Old Testament and New demonstrate that biblical leaders are servants, servants of God and servants of His people who take initiative to influence people to grow in holiness (their relationship with God), and to promote the extension of God’s kingdom (purposes) in the world. In a book accessible to scholar and layman, comprehensive in scope, though never unwieldy in proportion to its subject, Servants of the Servant is an indispensable addition to the library of anyone who desires to understand what God’s word teaches about the role of the biblical leader.
Review: Quality - Good

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #580,946 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #253 in Christian Leadership (Books) #433 in Religious Leadership (Books) #4,112 in Christian Inspirational |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (137) |
| Dimensions  | 6 x 0.71 x 9.25 inches |
| ISBN-10  | 1592444229 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-1592444229 |
| Item Weight  | 1 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 314 pages |
| Publication date  | November 14, 2003 |
| Publisher  | Wipf and Stock |

## Images

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Resource
*by K***H on June 15, 2023*

In a scholarly and meticulous, yet thoroughly approachable text, Don Howell has made a unique contribution to the field of leadership studies. Servants of the Servant is a biblical theology of leadership in which the author guides his readers through studies of eleven Old Testament and five New Testament leaders to present a cogent examination of leadership through the lens of Christian scripture. This reader found great benefit in reading the final chapter first, and would recommend that practice to anyone encountering the book for the first time, or reacquainting themselves with it. The “Profile of a Servant Leader” (pp. 296-301), contains an exceedingly helpful composite description of biblical leadership as described in the preceding chapters of the book. To employ this material both as introduction and as a summary/conclusion produced the benefits of showing the reward that awaits at the end of the journey, and glimpsing an overview of the path along which the author would guide the reader to that conclusion. It also served to highlight the commendable consistency of the author’s direction along the path. His introduction points directly to the conclusion, and all the steps along the way are both well-marked and masterfully laid out along a logical and easy-to-follow course. Servants of the Servant begins with a surprisingly brief introduction that perhaps even more surprisingly accomplishes its purpose in slightly less than four pages. Its primary objective is establishing Howell’s definition for biblical leadership, which would benefit from the elimination of the needless adjective, “passionately,” splitting the infinitive verb, “to promote.” Howell makes no case for passion in the elaboration of his definition in the following paragraphs and would likely agree that anyone who “takes the initiative to influence people to grow in holiness and to … promote the extension of God’s kingdom in the world” (p. 3), would undoubtedly qualify as a biblical leader whether or not passion was evident in the efforts. The introductory chapter closes with a brief explanation of the straightforward methodology Howell will employ in presenting the case for his biblical theology of leadership. The author immediately demonstrates a masterful grasp of his subject material and an ease of communicating it in a consistent and logical fashion. Howell knows a survey of biblical leadership is going to come inevitably to the subject of servanthood. Rather than working toward that concept, he opens with it. The word studies in chapters one and two describe the Bible’s elevation of the Hebrew and Greek terms for slave, servant, or minister from denoting a position of oppression, to one of great honor; i.e., the servant of the Lord. These two chapters demonstrate from the first pages that the leadership of Jesus from a posture of humble service is not an anomaly, but the culmination of the ideal of biblical leadership. Howell proceeds through the examples of Old Testament and then New Testament leaders in chronological order. Although each leader’s story is unique, offering a variety of lessons about the leaders God chooses, similarities in each one underscore the integrity of the author’s definition of biblical leadership. Joseph’s example demonstrates how God uses adversity to develop the leader’s character. Moses develops into an unwavering advocate for a people who are difficult to lead. Joshua’s story provides insight for someone succeeding a great leader. Deborah, Gideon, and Samson represent the judges of Israel and reveal God’s sovereignty in selecting, and faithfulness in equipping those He has chosen to lead. Samuel’s leadership during a critical transition period in the history of God’s people, though exceedingly challenging, was also singularly effective in guiding Israel to a brighter future. David’s profile, the lengthiest, highlights his intimate relationship with God, owing to a heart that desired and pursued God’s purposes. God’s covenant promise with David places him in the unique position as the standard of biblical leadership in the Old Testament. Because of the fidelity of David’s heart for God, not only is he an example, but becomes a progenitor in the lineage of the Messiah, the ultimate servant of the Lord. The author continues with Solomon, Daniel and Nehemiah, to present a well-rounded examination of leadership through the generations of God’s people to the close of the Old Testament. Howell devotes the third major section of the text to “Jesus: Equipper of Equippers” (p. 129). The three chapters describe Jesus’ training of His disciples to carry on His mission from His ascension until His return. They also establish the critical underpinnings of the theology of Jesus’ mission as He entrusted it to His followers. Being among them as one who served, He demonstrated the life of utter selfless abandon to God that would lead each of them to follow Him in becoming servants who lead. In Part Four, the author profiles a handful of the stewards of the gospel enterprise who accepted the call of Jesus to carry forward the mission. From the twelve disciples, he profiles Peter and John. Barnabas, Timothy, and Titus each, as in the case of the Old Testament leadership examples, provide both unique lessons from their individual gifts and challenges, as well as support for the composite portrait of a biblical leader from their similarities. The Apostle Paul and the leaders of the churches (Howell’s “faith communities”) comprise the fascinating subject matter for the final major section. Here, not only does the author give careful examination of Paul’s leadership, but also of the insightful consideration of qualifications Paul provides for those he considers eligible to exercise leadership in the church. Because Howell is a first-rate scholar of the Bible, his use of the scriptural narrative is smoothly interwoven with his application of it. He knows the text and he knows where it is leading. In relating the stories, he manages to select the details that demonstrate the relevance of the account without reducing it to a proof text. His giftedness as a teacher comes through, not only in the deft explanations of concepts, but in ancillary features of the text, such as the “preliminary questions to consider” at the opening of each chapter. His footnotes are also invaluable for illuminating the text with references to scripture, other writers, and informative word studies. The leadership profiles that conclude each chapter are an effective way of reviewing without annoying repetition. This is a talented professor getting his readers prepared for the test by helping them assimilate the material by means of a variety of proven techniques. Old Testament and New demonstrate that biblical leaders are servants, servants of God and servants of His people who take initiative to influence people to grow in holiness (their relationship with God), and to promote the extension of God’s kingdom (purposes) in the world. In a book accessible to scholar and layman, comprehensive in scope, though never unwieldy in proportion to its subject, Servants of the Servant is an indispensable addition to the library of anyone who desires to understand what God’s word teaches about the role of the biblical leader.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Quality
*by C***E on October 23, 2025*

Good

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best books I've read
*by K***G on March 12, 2019*

This was required reading for a class at Grace University, GR, MI. Loved the book have purchased two!

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