The focus is Servant Leadership set by Biblical principles of serving beyond the Greenleaf approach. From this perspective, the transformative servant leader is accountable as a Servant of God. Presenting this model of leadership for nourishing the body, mind, and spirit. Through serving others first, the author shares insights, practices and experiences for ministering from a global community. Subscribe to Servant Leadership Now platform for updates. You can also share via Social Media platforms.
Gardenia responds to Pip and Mara’s analysis. Although there are challenges the life of servants of God, true believers are encouraged in their faith as wellness warriors. Click to listen to my audio response.
Challenges of Servants of God is Durable – Gardenia Bulluck
Pip: If you’ve ever wondered whether answering a higher calling comes with a complimentary side of difficulty, bulluckg.com is here to confirm: yes, abundantly yes.
Mara: This episode draws from the site Servant Leadership NOW, and we’re looking at what it actually costs to serve — the challenges, the question of whose approval you’re chasing, and what it means to stay durable when conditions get hard.
Pip: Let’s start with the challenges themselves.
The Challenges of a Servant of God
Mara: The central question here isn’t whether serving God is hard — the post takes that as a given. The real question is whether it’s durable, and what makes it so when the pressure is on.
Pip: The post opens with a phrase from a friend named Stacey that sets the whole frame: “It is not easy, but it is durable.”
Mara: That word — durable — does a lot of work. It’s not a promise that things get easier. It’s a claim that the servant has what it takes to last through difficulty, specifically because of trust rather than personal resilience.
Pip: The post breaks this out across three areas: joy, approval, and control. On joy, it points to James 1:2-4 — count it all joy — but it’s careful to say the mindset has to agree with the spirit. You can’t just perform cheerfulness through a hard season.
Mara: And it’s practical about support, too. Having a mentoring group or circle of friends who share your values lightens the load you’d otherwise carry alone. Laughter gets a mention as well — Proverbs 17:33 on a spirit of laughter — which is a gentler kind of durability than white-knuckling through.
Joy, Approval, and Control
Pip: The approval section is where it gets pointed. Wanting human approval is called normal, but the post asks you to be honest about whose approval actually governs your decisions. The transformation of Saul to Paul is the example — a complete reorientation toward seeking God’s judgment over any person’s.
Mara: Then the fig tree. The post uses it to illustrate the control problem: the tree needs sun, soil, and water, but too much of any one thing damages it. It can only flourish under conditions it doesn’t set for itself. Habakkuk 3:17 closes the loop — rejoicing in God even when the fig tree has no blossoms, no fruit.
Pip: The tree can’t manage its own growing season. That’s either humbling or deeply inconvenient, depending on your relationship with spreadsheets.
Mara: The upshot is straightforward: releasing control isn’t passivity. It’s recognizing that the Creator understands the dry seasons better than the fig tree does.
Pip: Durable, not easy. That’s the throughline — trust over performance, God’s approval over the crowd’s, and growth that happens on terms you don’t get to set.
Mara: Next time, we’ll keep following that thread wherever the site takes it.
In this episode, we welcome Rev. Dr. Bulluck to discuss the heart behind the series Wellness Warriors: Taking the Lead as a transformative believer of Servant Leadership. Rev. Dr. Gardenia shares how the series was created to honor a global community of believers from more than fifty countries who are seeking to grow stronger in faith while pursuing spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness.
Throughout the conversation, Gardenia (as she prefers to be called in this interview) explores what it means for believers to actively live what they confess by acknowledging God first, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, serving others, and practicing gratitude. She encourages listeners to begin with simple, practical steps such as prayer, obedience, and inviting God into everyday decisions as they continue growing in their faith walk.
The episode also highlights common challenges believers face, including the need to think beyond “self” while still recognizing the importance of personal healing. Gardenia reminds listeners that serving others can be part of that healing journey and that helping people brings joy that supports overall wellness.
Podcast Interview Script Edited Version
Host: Today, we’re joined by Rev. Dr. Gardenia Bulluck, a true believer in Servant Leadership that is focused on serving others.
Host: Thank you for being here and sharing with us.
Gardenia: I’m glad to be here. Please call me Gardenia.
Host: Sure. Thank you, Gardenia. First, what inspired the series Wellness Warriors: Taking the Lead?
Gardenia: This series honors my audience and subscribers around the world, representing more than fifty countries. Though we come from different backgrounds, we share something meaningful: we are believers striving each day to grow stronger in our walk. Our faith matters deeply to us. Through shared experiences with other believers, I’ve seen a common desire to be well spiritually, emotionally, and physically to help bring others to Christ. In this series, I highlight thirteen episodes from my blog posts that speak to wellness as a servant leader. Because of the challenges we face each day, we are warriors. We strive to take the lead—and the responsibility—for actively living what we confess.
Host: That’s such a powerful way to frame wellness—as spiritual, emotional, and physical. When you talk about believers taking the lead in actively living what they confess, what does that look like in everyday life?
Gardenia: To me, actively living what you confess in everyday life means acknowledging God first, asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, serving others as you are led, and always giving thanks and showing gratitude to the Lord.
Host: That’s a beautiful foundation. For someone listening who wants to grow in that kind of daily obedience and gratitude, what is one practical step they can begin taking today?
Practical Steps for Engagement
Gardenia: Of course. I would encourage listeners to start by asking God for help right where they are. I also invite them to read our blog posts, because my goal is to offer practical steps that engage and encourage both new and seasoned believers. My hope is that every person will find in us a supportive community, no matter where they are in their faith walk. And most importantly, read the word, every day.. Find a translation that suits you, easy to understand. There are many different versions. Find one that will help you in walking this journey.
Host: That’s a helpful starting point. Why do you think beginning with something simple can make such a meaningful difference?
Gardenia: I think it begins with something that truly is simple. Just come! Christ says, “Come. I would say that is the first step. Start with a simple first step. Accept God into your life. Sometimes we think growth has to begin with something big, but often it starts with a simple prayer, a willing heart, and one act of obedience. When we make space for God in our everyday decisions, He begins to shape how we think, how we respond, and how we serve others.
Host: I love that reminder that growth can begin with something simple. As you think about the wellness journey, what are some common challenges believers face when trying to stay spiritually, emotionally, and physically well?
One Difficult Challenge
Gardenia: I’m truly grateful for that question. Recently, I wrote a blog post about some of the challenges believers face. That blog included strategies based on my own personal experiences. The post is titled Overcoming Common Challenges Faced by Servant Leaders. One of the most difficult challenges for believers is learning how to think beyond “self.” In many ways, that goes against what we have often been taught. It is true that we must heal ourselves, but that does not mean we stop helping others. In fact, part of healing ourselves involves serving others. There is a natural joy that comes from helping people, and that joy supports our spiritual, emotional, and even physical wellness.
Host: Thank you, Gardenia, for sharing such meaningful insight with us today. As we close, I want to remind our listeners to check out the upcoming episodes in the series Wellness Warriors: Taking the Lead. Each episode will continue exploring what it means to grow in faith, pursue wellness, and take the lead in living out what we confess.
Gardenia: Thank you for having me. I’m excited for listeners to continue the journey with us and to be encouraged through each upcoming episode.
Host: And to our listeners, thank you for joining us. Be sure to follow the series and stay connected for more conversations in Wellness Warriors: Taking the Lead.
This blog post is about three kings: Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah. Their encounter with God as leaders is still revelant in this season.
First, it is God who grants power. God does this for the good of those who chooses to follow Him. God sets up and takes down kingdoms, kings and rulers (Jeremiah 1:10). Yes, God has all authority in earth, below the earth, and above the heavens. He gives authority to whom He pleases (Romans 13:1).
Asa
Asa’s story is one of reform and disobedience. In the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 14, we meet him as King Asa of Judah. What a magnificent beginning of doing what right! At the start of his reign, because of Asa’s obedience to God, the people enjoyed peace from war with surrounding nations. Even after ten years of rest, in the time of war, the nation experienced victory. One example is war against the Ethiopians, an army of a million fighters. In contrast, Asa’s warriors only totaled five hundred and eighty thousand. In the face of this opposition, Asa’s prayer (one of my personally favorite prayers) to God was:
“Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name, we go against this multitude. O Lord, you are God; do not let man prevail against You!”
Yet, the Scriptures tell another story about Asa. His reliance and faith changed from God to another king: King Ben-Hadad of Syria (2 Chronicles 16:1-4) This alliance cost Judah their victory. Even in the time of sickness, Asa did not seek God (2 Chronicles 16:11-14).
Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, became king after his father’s death. The Bible describes King Jehoshaphat as a king of faith before God. In his heart, was a delight in seeking the ways of the Lord. In all his good works, the willingness to compromise with an ungodly king (Ahab) was a choice.
First, was the allowance of a marriage between his eldest son to thedaughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel (ungodly family of Baal worshippers). The convincing of Ahab to Jehoshaphat that “I am, as you are,” did override Jehoshaphat’s faith and God’s warning (2 Chronicles18:28).
Yet, because God is the judge, His decision is one of a merciful father in that in battle, Jehoshphat’s life was protected. Not so for Ahab and his son, even though they wore disguises. Because God did find good things in Jehoshaphat, mercy was given to him. The reforms of repentance to be faithful as God’s people, once again, blessed the nation of Judah.
Hezekiah
Hezekiah’s story and his relationship with the prophet of Isaiah is most familiar. From the beginning, King Hezekiah did what was right in the eyesight of God, quite different from his father King Ahaz. His devotion and worship of God was seem as loving as that of King David. In this way, there was flourishing and great worship of God within the nation. The people learned about forgiveness and repentance. Hezekiah’s whole-hearted reforms were a blessing in Judah (2 Chronicles 29:1-2; 2 Chronicles 31:20-21).
Unfortunately, Hezekiah, too, did succumb to his own imperfection of pride. Although it is God who delivered the people from the hands of their enemies, Hezekiah became prideful in the sight of God. It was the favor of God which allowed Hezekiah to prosper and overcome ungodly enemies of God (Assyrian Empire of idol worship). Even after Hezekiah repented and God extended his life, Hezekiah, once again, became a prideful showoff (2 Kings 20:12-13).
Speak Lord
God cannot allow unrighteousness. He is the judge of all. He is always speaking; God is always working. Leadership is important. No matter the dominion, i.e., home, places of worship, workplaces or nations, rightful leadership is what please God.
From the very beginning, God’s decision to give man limited authority (dominion) was in the power of His leadership. Giving His creation (male and female) leadership in the earth realm was under God’s authority. Yet, God’s love is evidence of how He deals with disobedience. Clearly, Adam did misuse that power. Adam’s decision to be disobedient to God, was a choice. Because of Adam’s decision, sin was introduced into this world. Ever since, there is a battle between powers given to Satan and humankind.
It is a mistake for any person (including a ruler, king, or official) to think that God’s voice is silent. The purpose is clear: “Leading with compassion, love, humbleness, and faith toward God is how you are successful. Careless and unrepenting leadership is deadly. God speaks!
Identifying Common Challenges Faced by Servant Leaders
We enter into this world, crying out to be served. As babies and young children, our needs are dependent upon others. Servant Leadership style differs. Yes, Servant Leadership is not easy because it is not about your being “first.” You are not the one to be served; rather, you are the first to serve others. Servant leadership is a change of the heart.
As a matter in fact, this type of leadership has to be an intentional mission (goal) for the vision given. Above all, servant leadership is a personal calling; yielding; it is not a placement position. That is the first challenge to face as a servant leader – accepting a calling greater than self.
Another challenge that faces the servant leader is the “repositioning of self” for the calling. Repositioning self is a mental, physical, and spiritual position to conquer authorized territory. The servant leader is a foreigner in strange territory. Yet, one has the calling and authority to walk in and take the territory. It is spiritual warfare.
Moreover, do not expect others to understand this calling. Because it is given to the servant leader, opposition persists. Wisdom and discernment come through prayer, meditation, and fasting. Even when the servant of God conquers the territory, one must maintain it for the benefit of others that you serve.
Practical Solutions for Overcoming Leadership Challenges
Examples of common challenges in serving others first and repositioning of self comes from external and internal pressures. Three common ones are:
Communication issues
Lack of natural resources
Untrained people
Communication
Good communication is a strategy. It is a learning process, and experience is a good teacher. From experiences, I share with you:
Be willing to develop good listening skills. More listening, less talking to people.
Be observant of your surroundings. Who are the communicators in your surrounding? Are these the key people who others listen to most often and not you?
Body language is a great communicator. Eyes, movement, twitches, hands, etc. Be mindful of its value in communicating, especially in different environments.
Be sensitive to others’ personal space and respect it.
Ensure that the physical environment differentiate as resting spaces and working spaces. This is a great way to serve others for areas of rebounding and re-energizing. The environment communicates to outsiders as well. It speaks to what you value the most.
Lack of natural resources
For the servant leader, the “Complaint Department” does not exist. The servant leader turns that department to a place of Transformative Operations. Therefore, the highly skilled servant sees a lack of resources as opportunities to transform lack to abundance. How?
Identify partnerships for the season of now for the immediate purpose
Build trustful relationships for ongoing supply chains
Assess the physical layout. Who are the custodians of the physical infrastructure? Usually, they are the ones who have certain keys for your access into specific areas. Treat them with the respect they deserve. They are the true operations managers.
Untrained people
Just because people lack training, this does not mean that they are not useful. This is an opportunity to help members acquire the skills. People have a skill set from life. So:
Identify current skills and experiences
Commit to conversations to build and improve members’ skill level
Identify ongoing training needs
Incorporate a reward system that validates members’ successes and value to the team
The Role of Faith in Navigating Leadership Obstacles
Reflectively, I view reposition of self as a constant walk of faith in Christ. For we are not here is to be the first served; rather, we are the first to serve others.
Evaluating Your Growth and Progress as a Servant Leader
Moreover, the scripture reminds us that only what we do for Christ will last (1 Corinthians 3:12-14). In the natural world, we often create instruments for the purpose of measuring growth. Such is the purpose of pre and post assessments in goal setting.
Spiritually, we know that only God’s measurement that will stand. However, our hearts are a reflection of who we are. It is because of our human condition that God gives to us mercy. It is the law that establishes a “stick” of measure. Without the law, how would we know that a violation occurred? The laws of God exist for giving us knowledge about the commandments of God.
Internally, when we accept Christ, the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) comes to teach and guide. Paul said a war occurs. The human spirit wants what is contrary to the Holy Spirit. With compassion and love, God renders to us his favor. Outwardly, is what we now produce – a leadership as His servant and friend.
Progress
The list below are examples from the Scriptures. These are growth areas in which you function, for the Holy Spirit is your teacher. You:
Operate in the commandment of love (Luke 6:27; Matthew 5:38-48). In other words, you are learning to treat others the way you want others to treat you.
Willingly keep watch as a shepherd (1 Peter 5:2-3).
Are able to readily answer questions about hope (1 Peter 13-16)
Are to stay strong in faith; do what brings honor to God (1 Peter 11)
Stay away from idols (1 John 5:21)
Keep building (Jude, verse 20)
God gives the increase of the affairs concerning us because of the desire to please Him. This is why we will overcome challenges as servants of God.
Finally, for more like this blog post and to encourage, we suggest:
Encouraging Words taken from 2 Corinthians 13, to go beyond perceptions that lead to bias behaviors
Pip: Leadership advice has been around long enough that most of it has calcified into a motivational poster. So when bulluckg.com asks us to slow down and actually look at how we see other people, that is either very old wisdom or very necessary medicine.
Mara: Probably both. Today we are sitting with a post about perception, bias, and what it means to truly see the people in front of you — and why that question sits right at the heart of servant leadership. Let’s start with what changes, and what stubbornly does not.
As Much as Things Change
Pip: The post opens with a deceptively simple question: how do I see others? And the honest answer, for most of us, is probably not as clearly as we think.
Mara: The post puts it plainly: “Too often, without thinking about it, human beings mindlessly create incorrect perceptions. Impressions about a target audience can create falsehoods, not always based on fact, but opinion.”
Pip: That word mindlessly is doing a lot of work. These are not malicious distortions — they are the ones that slip through when we are not paying attention, which is most of the time.
Mara: And the post names specific factors that can cloud perception further — trauma, physical health, a sense of safety, family, friends, even type of employment. These are not abstract philosophical variables. They are the texture of a person’s actual life shaping what they see.
Pip: Which is a little humbling, because it means the lens you are looking through has a history you did not necessarily choose.
Mara: The post does not leave it there, though. It points toward science-based visualization techniques as one practical path forward, and then pivots to something it calls a heart matter — the spiritual dimension of how we perceive others.
Visualization
Pip: That pivot is worth sitting with. The argument is not just that bias is a cognitive problem you can fix with the right technique. It is also a question of what your heart is oriented toward.
Mara: Right, and the post lands on this: “Most people that you will meet want to be seen through love.” That is the standard being set for servant leaders — not just accuracy of perception, but warmth in it.
Pip: Accurate and warm. Harder than it sounds, easier than leading people you have never really looked at.
Mara: The post also uses images throughout — therapeutic and artistic — to prompt readers to examine their own conclusions before they have even read an argument. It is a form of self-check built into the reading experience itself.
Perception
Pip: Perception shapes everything that follows in leadership — including how we listen, which is exactly where this conversation goes next.
Mara: Seeing others clearly, and seeing them through love — that tension between honest perception and generous perception is not a problem you solve once.
Pip: No, it is more like a dial you keep adjusting. Same question, every room you walk into.
This blog post invites you to keep adjusting that dial for the better. If you are not willing to make adjustments, things will not change.
Tune in each week for a look at wellness that matters for the mind, body, soul and spirit from bulluckg.com.
We, as humans, are capable of inflicting hurt or harm on another. Thus, in leadership, it is important to understand that vulnerability exists in our natural world (world leadership). Merriam-Webster dictionary defines vulnerability as capable of being easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally. Our acceptance of this responsibility is meant to improve personal leadership skills. Unfortunately, too many congregants’ view vulnerability as weakness.
Conversely, some of the most influential people, in the business, believe that vulnerability enhances their relationships with others as a leader. Businesses encourage leaders to distinguish themselves from others. In fact, leadership is to highlight these as distinguishing traits for building relationships. For example, recent studies show that vulnerability in leadership creates (1) psychological safety, (2) increases employee engagement, and (3) accelerates innovation (Brené Brown). Predominately, these studies relate mostly to organizational leadership style, i.e., authentic leadership and less about ministerial leadership. Authentic leadership, by definition, is a leadership style that is primarily about trustful relationships between employees and the leader. Together, the employee and leader work as a team to accomplish goals. Vulnerability is meant to strengthen the relationship.
Thus, how can ministers of Christianity, bridge vulnerability in leadership with a purpose of growing spiritually for the Kingdom of God?
Building Trust Through Vulnerability
First, experiences of congregants vary. Once, in the beginning of my Christian walk, a well-respected Pastor, gave me pause to mistrust church leadership, especially pastors. His words in regard to his personal misconduct were, “I do not go into my own hen house to scout the chickens but, I will scout out chickens to catch in other hen houses.” Needless to say, over a period of time, mistrust in him was proven in several instances, this individual took advantage of vulnerable sheep and lambs. What did the church learn from this? One individual leader can cause years of harm.
As congregants, mentally and emotionally, our spiritual well-being was harmed by this ministry leader. Especially among young adults, the circle of confidence in the church body was broken.
What can you to do as a servant leader when trust is a challenge in ministry? Withoutsafe spaces, within the ministering body, the harm and hurt will destroy congregants spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Start with building safe spaces. We invite you to check our blog post about strategies to create trusting, safe environments.
The Relationship Between Vulnerability and Effective Leadership
The relationship between vulnerability and effective leadership is backed by case studies. Studies show that vulnerability has a connection to communication and authenticity. According to Mckinsey studies, millennials, in particular, want their leaders to share their human side, including their vulnerabilities. As congregants in ministry, the thoughts are “Can I trust you with this information? Can I be vulnerable and explain my hurt and harm?” In both worlds, background knowledge is part of building trust in relationship. However, remember, opinion(s) is not fact (s).
Not “OK”
As much as we may think we are “ok,” there are circumstances that people face which are so dire, that we know that they are not “OK.” In these circumstances, you may notice changes in behavior, i.e., absences, outbursts, text messages, etc.
Jesus is a primary example of what it means to be in a place of vulnerability and ask for help. For instance, the night before Jesus was ceased in the Garden of Gethsemane, he poured out his emotions to the Father. “Take this cup from me; but yet, not my will but Your will be done,” (paraphrased). In the very next moments, he did not even summon angels, and he could have, to come and help him (Matthew 26:50-53). His willingness to be vulnerable to save us speaks of the level of trust that he had in His Father.
What should leaders do when challenges persist?
Challenges Leaders Face in Embracing Vulnerability
Face it! As a leader, embrace vulnerability as an opportunity for better. Common fears and misconceptions about showing vulnerability is not unusual. In fact, in the natural world, you may hear conversations that speak of finding your “inner compass.” For instance, a leader may rely upon his/her inner compass to guide their responses or actions. This inner compass may lead that person to check in with others or make a self-inventory. How am I doing? What did I learn from the experience(s)? Ultimately, in their leadership journey, there are certain issues and challenges that motivate them.
In ministry leadership, by comparison, you may have misgivings as well. You are not an exception. In fact, you are in good company. As previously stated, Jesus is an example of how vulnerability help in shaping his dependence on the Father. His willingness to be on God’s agenda is the inspiration for our faith.
Self-Reflection
What can we do to analyze the role of vulnerability in our personal leadership? Self-reflect! Here are a few thoughts that I use as part of my self-reflection. in this manner, I encourage myself to use tips to incorporate vulnerability into my leadership style to grow my ministry spiritually. Not necessarily in this order. I choose to:
Identify my list of trustworthy partnerships outside of the ministry
Identify key people who congregants trust and are faithful to the ministry
Identify and engage credible resources to strengthen authentic relationships, i.e., community support groups
Be honest about my challenges and commitment to Godly principles; i.e., integrity, accountability, self-control. Am I honest? Am I accountable and work to grow good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)?
Daily speak the Word of God
Read scriptures for building emotional support
Prayer consistently with the Word of God in agreement that God wants the best for my ministry, family, connections, and you.
Summative, this is my good ” startup” to incorporate vulnerability into my leadership style as a servant leader. The Holy Spirit is your guide!
