God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. — Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)
Have we lost our way in the area of helping others? It certainly seems that way at times. We live in a world where people are increasingly focused on their own responsibilities, schedules, and personal success. We see people struggling in our communities, workplaces, and even our churches, yet far too often we simply continue with our day. We have become so accustomed to the challenges surrounding us that we sometimes fail to recognize opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life.
Have we become too busy to help others?
This concerns me, especially when I consider the responsibility we have as Christian leaders. God has placed us in positions where we can influence others, encourage them, and help them become the people He created them to be. Yet somewhere along the way, some leaders have forgotten that leadership is not about being served. It is about serving others.
Many leaders, as they are promoted, often become less helpful. They feel that since they have already put in their time doing the difficult work, they have earned the right to rise above those responsibilities. They begin delegating everything, distancing themselves from employees, and sometimes forgetting what it was like to be the person doing the work. I have witnessed leaders do some of the most unhelpful things imaginable! Don’t fall victim to this tendency. Reflect inward, and if you recognize these behaviors in yourself, change them now!
One of the principles I emphasize in Faith Driven HR is that the way we treat people matters. Our employees are not simply resources to help us accomplish organizational goals. They are individuals created by God, each with unique gifts, talents, challenges, and opportunities. When we begin viewing people through this perspective, our approach to leadership changes.
Let’s be Christian leaders who open doors for people, help set up meeting rooms, clean up afterward, and, instead of simply directing others, step in and help get the job done when appropriate. These may seem like small things, but employees notice them. They notice when a leader is willing to help rather than simply issue instructions. They notice when someone in authority treats them with dignity and respect.
Jesus provided the greatest example of servant leadership. He did not separate Himself from those He came to serve. He invested in people, demonstrated humility, and showed us that genuine leadership requires a willingness to put others before ourselves. If we claim to follow Christ, shouldn’t these same characteristics be evident in our approach to Christian leadership?
The best Christian leaders don’t consider themselves too important to help.
As I work with organizations across the country through IHN HR, I continue to see the difference leadership makes in organizational culture. Employees want to work for leaders who genuinely care about them. They want to know their contributions matter and that their leaders are willing to support them when challenges arise. A helpful leader builds trust, strengthens employee engagement, and creates an environment where people are encouraged to do their best.
You see, when you are truly helpful to your employees rather than becoming a burden or an obstacle, you are building great people while building a Kingdom Minded Organization. Your example will influence how employees treat one another, how they serve customers, and how they contribute to their communities.
And isn’t that what Christian leadership should be about? Helping people become better at work, at home, and in their communities while honoring God through everything we do.
Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that God does not forget the work we do or the love we demonstrate by helping others. We may not always receive recognition for the small acts of kindness and service we perform, but God sees them. That should be encouragement enough for every Christian leader.
What have you witnessed a leader do that demonstrated genuine servant leadership? Have you experienced a simple act of kindness from someone in leadership that made you smile and want to follow their example?
Please share your experiences in the comments. Together, we can encourage Christian leaders to build organizations where serving others is not simply something we talk about, but something we demonstrate every day.
At IHN HR, we help Christian organizations strengthen their leadership, develop their people, and build workplace cultures grounded in biblical principles. Whether you lead a Christian business, church, ministry, nonprofit, or Christian higher education institution, our team can help you align your HR practices with your organization’s mission and values.
If your organization could benefit from experienced HR guidance, contact our team to learn how we can help.
About the Author
Mark A. Griffin is the Founder and President of IHN HR and author of Faith Driven HR. With decades of corporate HR and executive leadership experience, Mark helps Christian businesses, churches, ministries, nonprofits, and Christian higher education institutions build stronger organizations through faith-driven leadership and effective HR practices.
Originally published December 16, 2014. Updated October 13, 2026.
This article was originally written more than a decade ago. While much has changed in our workplaces and organizations, the biblical principles of servant leadership remain unchanged. This updated version includes additional insights from my years working with Christian organizations and principles shared in my book, Faith Driven HR.
Every organization is different. If you have an HR challenge, leadership need, or simply want to strengthen your organization, we would welcome the conversation.
