Find My Charism
← Find My Charism

Servant Leadership

Accompanying a group’s members as they grow in faith and responsibility.

Wondering how this gift may show up in your life? Discover your charisms →

Jesus welcomes a child among the disciples
Jesus welcomes a child among the disciples · Mark 9:33–37 About this Scripture scene ↓

Understanding Servant Leadership

Servant Leadership gives sustained attention to the people entrusted to a group’s care. The Holy Spirit can work through someone who listens, offers guidance, and helps members grow in faith and responsibility. Its emphasis is accompanying people over time, alongside the organizing of Administration and the preparation for mission emphasized in Apostleship. It notices those easily overlooked, shares responsibility, and welcomes the guidance of the Church’s leaders.

CCC 799–801 · CCC 951–953 · Romans 12:6–8

Where you may recognize it

Consider the relationships and responsibilities already part of your life.

Within a group

You notice who is being left out and help make space for their contribution.

Supporting responsibility

You help someone understand a task and remain available without taking it back from them.

Caring personally

You listen when a person brings a concern and help them find appropriate support.

Mark 9:33–37 ↗

Jesus places a child among them

The image at the top of this page shows Jesus welcoming a child while teaching his disciples about greatness. He directs their attention away from status and toward service.

If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.

Jesus identifies receiving the child with receiving him and the Father who sent him. Leadership in his name gives attention to those who cannot offer status in return, making care for them central to the community’s life.

More Scripture & Church teaching
1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 27–31

Paul describes a variety of gifts from the same Spirit, given for the benefit of the whole body.

Catechism 799–801

Charisms are gifts of the Holy Spirit for building up the Church and serving others. Love is their measure, and their discernment includes the guidance of the Church’s pastors.

Catechism 951–953

The gifts of the Church’s members are shared for the common good through charity.

Romans 12:6–8

Paul calls those who lead to exercise their responsibility diligently, alongside others who teach, give, encourage, and show mercy.

A parish leader works beside a younger volunteer and supports their contribution to a garden project.

Servant Leadership in service of others

These ministries and programs may offer ways to serve through Servant Leadership. Speak with parish staff about where help is needed, how to prepare, and the parish’s volunteer process.

Volunteer team support

Help parish staff and ministry leaders organize the practical work that allows others to serve.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Help maintain schedules and communicate agreed arrangements.
  • Welcome volunteers and direct questions to the ministry leader.
  • Help prepare supplies and support follow-through on assigned tasks.

Begin with your parish

Ask parish staff where administrative help is needed and what permissions, training, and support the role requires.

Men’s, women’s and small-group formation

Help people grow in faith through a parish group, such as That Man Is You!, Walking with Purpose, She Shall Be Called Woman, or another small Christian community.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Welcome participants and help newcomers find their group.
  • Help with breakfast, refreshments, materials or room setup.
  • Support discussion and prayer in the role arranged by the parish team.

Begin with your parish

Ask the parish formation coordinator about volunteering with its men’s, women’s or other small-group programs. The team can explain the roles, preparation and support available.

Programs you may recognize

  • That Man Is You!

    A Catholic men’s parish program combining faith formation and small-group conversation. Core teams organize sessions, welcome participants and support the group’s life together.

  • Walking with Purpose

    Catholic Bible studies for women and girls. Parish volunteer teams receive preparation and support to help women learn Scripture and build friendships in faith.

  • She Shall Be Called Woman

    A Catholic women’s program from Paradisus Dei, bringing together fellowship, video presentations and small-group discussion. Parish core teams receive training and materials.

Youth ministry

Support the parish’s youth programs through planned activities, small-group support, retreats, music or practical preparations, working with the youth ministry team.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Help with activities planned by the parish youth ministry team.
  • Listen to young people within the program’s safeguarding arrangements.
  • Support small-group activities in the role agreed with the coordinator.
  • Help with music for shared prayer or activities as arranged by the youth ministry coordinator.

Begin with your parish

Speak with the youth ministry coordinator about available roles, required formation, and safeguarding before volunteering.

Resources for learning and preparation

  • Franciscan at Home

    Ministry-formation workshops from Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute for catechists, parish teams and other people serving the Church. Ask your parish or diocese about available formation and access.

As you discern

Bring these experiences to prayer, Mass and the sacraments, and conversation with a priest or trusted guide in the faith. Look over time for love of God and neighbor, faithfulness to Church teaching, and the good of those you serve. Joy, difficulty, and others’ feedback can help you recognize patterns. Attend to people growing in faith and responsibility through continuing care, including those a group easily overlooks. If no example comes to mind, begin with the experience suggested below.

Recall someone you accompanied over time. What helped them grow in faith or responsibility, and what did they find helpful in your care?

How do you recognize when to stay alongside someone, when to step back, and when another person’s support is needed?

Something to try: In a group where you already have a role, ask one person what would help them participate or grow in responsibility. Agree on a small change with the group’s leader and follow through. Check in again about what helped and what support the person now needs.

Bring this to prayer

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in prayer.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to lead by attending to the people entrusted to our care.

Free me from seeking importance and help me make room for others to contribute.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for me.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Elizabeth Ann Seton was a widowed mother of five who became Catholic and opened a free Catholic school for girls in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1810. She founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s, whose educational work helped lay the foundations of the Catholic parish school system in the United States. Her leadership brought women together to serve children and families through education and charity.

More about her life ↗