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Servant of All: Reframing Greatness and Leadership Through the Teachings of Jesus
2020 ECPA Christian Book Award Finalist for Ministry Resources. What did Jesus really mean when he said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, the servant of all" (Mark 9:35)?
Servant leadership is commended by popular leadership writers and scholars. However, much of the practical, theoretical, and even theological commentary on servant leadership doesn't do the Bible justice. It fails to account for the context and history of interpretation around this often-quoted saying of Jesus. This context has everything to do with a truly biblical understanding of servant leadership, and that's what Servant of All unfolds.
In a culture where greatness is often confused with fame or competence, Servant of All is a much-needed correction.
This useful guide includes personal and group reflection questions, ideal for ministry training and discipleship.
Servant leadership is commended by popular leadership writers and scholars. However, much of the practical, theoretical, and even theological commentary on servant leadership doesn't do the Bible justice. It fails to account for the context and history of interpretation around this often-quoted saying of Jesus. This context has everything to do with a truly biblical understanding of servant leadership, and that's what Servant of All unfolds.
In a culture where greatness is often confused with fame or competence, Servant of All is a much-needed correction.
This useful guide includes personal and group reflection questions, ideal for ministry training and discipleship.
152 pages, Paperback
Published July 3, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 30, 2020
More like 3.5.
Enlow is dealing with Mark 9:35, where Jesus famously states, “Whoever wants to be first must be the very last, the servant of all.” (NIV)
Elbow contends that there are four background pieces that help us understand this statement more clearly, as well as a six point sermon which follows it, especially referencing a parallel account in Matthew 18. Overall, I thought his points were helpful-I got the feeling as I read that this was intended to be more earth-shaking than it was, but it felt like pretty standard exegesis of the passage. Though his concept of Matthew 18 hanging together as one sermon could be contested, I thought he managed to demonstrate the continuity of ideas.
The discussion questions at the end of each (very brief) chapter were on the whole useful for reflecting upon the material.
Enlow is dealing with Mark 9:35, where Jesus famously states, “Whoever wants to be first must be the very last, the servant of all.” (NIV)
Elbow contends that there are four background pieces that help us understand this statement more clearly, as well as a six point sermon which follows it, especially referencing a parallel account in Matthew 18. Overall, I thought his points were helpful-I got the feeling as I read that this was intended to be more earth-shaking than it was, but it felt like pretty standard exegesis of the passage. Though his concept of Matthew 18 hanging together as one sermon could be contested, I thought he managed to demonstrate the continuity of ideas.
The discussion questions at the end of each (very brief) chapter were on the whole useful for reflecting upon the material.
April 10, 2020
In 129 pages, Enlow applies Mark 9:35 and this verse's multi-chapter context to the issue of servant leadership and the meaning of "greatness." The discovery here is how so much of the Gospel of Mark is actually Jesus' development of and pointing back to his principle that "anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."
October 3, 2026
This book was not what I expected at all. It teaches more about greatness than servant leadership. Yes, that concept exists in the book, but the running theme is what truly is greatness? It gives biblical texts and examples of how we should build relationships with others. It's not a bad read, it's just not a book I'd recommend for servant leadership.
December 10, 2025
A book with a steady reminder that greatness comes from seeking to serve.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews