Why embracing servant leadership can renew our democracy and create spaces toward a greater reconciliation.
The other day, I found myself reflecting on the last fifty or sixty years of American politics, trying to make sense of how we got here—this moment when we feel more divided than united, conversations about governance seem louder and meaner, and trust in our leaders and institutions feels almost like a relic of the past.
In my lifetime, I’ve seen how polarization has grown, slowly at first, like a crack in the pavement, and then faster until it split wide open. It’s not just disagreement—that’s natural in a democracy—it’s the way we disagree that has changed. Somewhere along the way, we stopped seeing each other as neighbors and started seeing each other as enemies.
Much of this stems from what political scientists call positive and negative polarization—two sides of the same destructive coin. Positive polarization rallies people around shared identities but often excludes those who don’t fit the mold. Negative polarization, meanwhile, defines itself by opposition: what we’re against rather than what we’re for. Both strategies energize political bases but at a cost. They deepen mistrust, erode social cohesion, and weaken the idea of a shared American purpose.
Proverbs reminds us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Vision, as seen through the lens of leaders like Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King Jr., is not just about looking ahead but about fostering a sense of shared purpose that unites people. Lincoln’s foresight to prioritize reconciliation over retribution and King’s dream of a “Beloved Community” grounded their leadership in moral clarity and practical unity. These examples show that a vision guided by service and humanity can bridge divides and inspire collective progress.
Jesus reminds us of the ultimate Vision for our lives: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). These commandments call us to center our Vision on love—love for God, for our neighbors, and for the world we are called to serve. This love must guide us as we seek to bridge divides and create a more unified and compassionate society.
This Vision of love challenges us to look beyond labels and identities that divide us—political affiliations, socioeconomic status, or cultural backgrounds—and instead see one another through the lens of shared humanity. In a world increasingly fractured by echo chambers and divisive rhetoric, this call to love reminds us that meaningful change begins with how we treat those closest to us, especially those with whom we disagree.
Polarization harms our social fabric and poses a real threat to national security. When we allow dehumanizing rhetoric to fester, we give people tacit permission to act destructively. Violent protests, threats against public officials, even insurrection—these are not the hallmarks of a healthy democracy. Polarization and illiberalism create fertile ground for chaos, which, as history teaches us, breeds authoritarianism.
But here’s the thing: we must not let polarity define us; it isn’t the first time our country has faced division, and it won’t be the last. The real question is, how do we respond?
For me, the answer comes back to an old but enduring idea: servant leadership. This kind of leadership doesn’t seek power for power’s sake but asks, “How can I serve others? How can I build something that lasts, something that heals?” It’s the kind of leadership that remembers democracy isn’t about dominating the other side—it’s about ensuring everyone has a voice.
As Paul writes in Philippians, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant…” (Philippians 2:5-1). This call to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness provides the foundation for servant leadership. It reminds us that authentic leadership is not about power or prestige but about lifting others and building a community rooted in love and service.
This example of humility resonates deeply in an age where leadership is too often conflated with domination or personal gain. Imagine if leaders—whether in politics, business, or local communities—embraced this model of selflessness, prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable over their ambitions. Such leadership would transform institutions and the fabric of our relationships, reminding us that service is the truest measure of greatness.
History gives us powerful examples of this kind of leadership, moments where servant leaders rose above division to foster unity and collaboration. One such example is Abraham Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War. Lincoln faced a nation tearing itself apart, yet he focused not on revenge but on healing. His approach was not only a moral imperative but a strategic one, as he recognized that lasting unity could only be achieved by fostering reconciliation rather than deepening divisions. His Second Inaugural Address, with its call for “malice toward none, with charity for all,” remains a timeless reminder of what leadership can look like when it prioritizes service over self-interest. Lincoln’s ability to see past immediate conflict to envision a unified future reflects the kind of Vision Proverbs calls us to embrace.
Then there’s George Washington, who could have become a king but chose to step down after two terms as president. His decision wasn’t just a personal act of humility but a profound statement of faith in the fledgling democratic process. Washington’s restraint set a tone for leadership that values institutions over personal ambition, a reminder that lasting progress often comes from holding on to what works while carefully reforming what doesn’t.
We’ve also seen servant leadership in the modern era. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Vision for a “Beloved Community” wasn’t about defeating opponents but restoring dignity to all Americans. For King, the Beloved Community was a profoundly spiritual ideal rooted in agape—a love that seeks nothing in return and recognizes the inherent worth of every individual. It called for reconciliation, not only as a social necessity but as a divine imperative, reflecting the unity God desires for humanity.
King believed that through nonviolence and mutual understanding, this community could transcend the divisions of race, class, and ideology, offering a glimpse of the kingdom of God on earth. His Vision of the Beloved Community challenges us to see past the immediacy of our conflicts and focus on a greater calling: to build relationships grounded in justice and love. It’s a reminder that every small act of understanding—every conversation that bridges a divide—is a step toward this divine Vision.
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, builds on this Vision in his book Citizen: Faithful Discipleship in a Partisan World. Doyle invites us to embrace convivial citizenship: the art of listening openly and warmly, even to those with whom we disagree. He reminds us that faithful discipleship in a partisan world begins with listening—not refuting or responding, but understanding. Doyle urges communities of faith to create spaces for reconciliation, where Christians imagine and model a society of nonviolence and self-giving action. By doing so, he says, we can reject the false dichotomies and tribalism that divide us and instead foster a broader narrative of hope and renewal.
Doyle challenges us to engage with the world in ways that transcend fear and hostility. Drawing on the Genesis creation stories, he asks us to envision a “garden social imaginary”—a community shaped by compassion and transformation, rooted in God’s image and reign. This imaginative approach, Doyle suggests, allows us to see beyond the veils of division and into the possibility of reconciliation, where we rediscover our shared humanity as children of God.
Faith communities can bring this Vision to life by fostering interfaith collaboration, hosting dialogues, and creating spaces where reconciliation begins—not with grand gestures but through everyday acts of kindness and understanding.
Just as Doyle’s Vision of a ‘garden social imaginary’ invites us to cultivate compassion and transformation, the Marshall Plan reminds us that rebuilding physical or social communities requires collaboration and a shared sense of purpose.
The Marshall Plan, spearheaded by George C. Marshall after World War II, rebuilt a shattered Europe. This leadership transcended borders and partisanship, prioritizing shared stability and prosperity. Imagine applying that same spirit of collaboration to our domestic challenges today. The Marshall Plan reminds us that it’s not about throwing everything away but finding value in what remains and building something new on that foundation.
Closer to home, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fireside chats provide a model for rebuilding trust. During the Great Depression, FDR spoke directly to Americans, calming fears and fostering a sense of shared effort. His leadership reminds us that transparency and empathy are not weaknesses but strengths.
Even outside the formal office, leaders like Jimmy Carter exemplify the power of servant leadership. Carter’s post-presidency work with Habitat for Humanity and global health initiatives shows that leadership doesn’t require a title—it requires a commitment to serve others. His humility and actions are quiet yet profound reminders of what it means to lead. Guided by his faith, Carter exemplifies how humility and service can extend beyond formal titles, demonstrating that leadership is ultimately about uplifting others.
These examples show us what’s possible when leaders focus on serving rather than ruling and building rather than dividing. They remind us that institutions are not obstacles but opportunities to lift others. They challenge us to think about what kind of leadership we want to follow and what kind of leaders we want to be.
Polarization is often accompanied by the urge to tear down everything that seems broken. But sometimes, in our rush to clear the way for change, we lose things of immense value—things we might have repaired or repurposed. The challenge is to discern what can be renewed and to approach reform with care, preserving the foundations that support us while building anew where needed.
The polarization we see today didn’t start yesterday and won’t end tomorrow. But it can end, not through louder arguments or deeper divisions, but through humility and collaboration. By remembering that trust isn’t something we’re entitled to—it’s something we earn; together, we honor a shared moral responsibility to each other and the Vision of a better future. Trust, like a carefully tended garden, grows when we nurture it with humility, patience, and a commitment to understanding one another’s perspectives.
Servant leadership begins in small ways: listening before speaking, seeking to understand others’ perspectives, and prioritizing kindness in everyday interactions.
Servant leadership isn’t a lofty ideal. It’s a practical choice. Each of us has a role to play. Servant leadership doesn’t require a title or a platform; it begins in our daily lives, how we treat our neighbors, and our small choices to lift others up higher. It’s the decision to lead with purpose, reform without destruction, and renew what makes us strong. If we can embrace that spirit, maybe this moment—this crossroads—won’t be remembered for the cracks in the pavement but for how we came together to repair them.
This is how we rebuild trust—not by shouting over one another, but by listening, serving, and seeing each other as neighbors again. What small step can you take today to carefully listen more deeply, serve humbly, or extend kindness to someone with a different perspective? Isn’t that the kind of leadership we need to renew our democracy? Isn’t that the kind of leadership we deserve? Isn’t that the kind of country we want to leave behind?
__________________________________________________________________________________
—Ron Starbuck, Publisher
Saint Julian Press, Inc.
Houston, Texas
__________________________________________________________________________________
Saint Julian Press. 2024. Rebuilding Trust in America. Saint Julian Press.Saint Julian Press Book Review
The Open AI - ChatGPT Plus service was used to research information and resources for this essay.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Citizen: Faithful Discipleship in a Partisan World, by the Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle.
Publisher : Church Publishing (February 17, 2020)
Language : English
Paperback : 272 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1640652019
Comments