Culture Healers are Servants Who Possess the Power to Shift Atmospheres

When Jesus was in the process of discipling those who were following him, they often argued about their position in the Kingdom and who was the greatest among them. Jesus’ response to them was that whoever desired to be great must be a servant (Matthew 20:26). He was drawing a distinction for his disciples, as he pointed out how the Gentiles of that day who are viewed as great, are so because of the authority that they exercise. When it comes to culture healers, it is the servant heart that holds the power for shifting atmospheres.

In various cultural spheres, especially that of business, you may find that people who are in positions of power or leadership don’t always have the heart of a servant. The best ones do and are able to shift and change the climate of the culture where they have influence. The ones that don’t have the heart of being a servant often struggle with friction as they try to control the atmosphere, yet there is often a climate of uneasiness that exists because those around them don’t know how to gauge the things around them.

While culture healers aren’t always the ones in the lead position, a servant's heart can position them to have authority over the atmosphere wherever they go. Regardless of whether you are in a position of leadership or not, there are three things that you can do as a means of serving those around you and shift the atmosphere.

Daily Observation:

Those with a servant's heart are often great observers of others. When Jesus chose his disciples, he did not choose them at random. He observed their characteristics, behaviors, and actions. Through careful study of them, he knew how to draw out of them what would be necessary for them to be who they would need to be once he was no longer with them. In business, managers and executives often spend countless hours studying their employees, perusing various character assessments and analyses to better understand them in order to establish culture and better shape teamwork and efficiencies.

Culture healers can best serve others and shift the atmosphere of the culture when they devote themselves to the observation and study of those around them. When we read the verse that says, study to show thyself approved, it’s often used in the context of studying scripture or dedication to one’s ministry. If we have the understanding that ministry is the essence of serving, then careful study and observation must be at the core of that service so that we know how best to serve those around us so that there is the cultivation of an atmosphere that is conducive to peace among one another and flourishing.

Daily Prayer:

Jesus was disciplined when it came to prayer and it was the one thing that his disciples specifically asked him to teach them. They had discovered that there was something uniquely different in the way he prayed, versus what they had known from the rabbinical order of the day. Prayer not only has a way of shifting the atmosphere that you find yourself in, it also has a way of shifting you and how you approach those around you.

How often have you found yourself in a space where you could feel that things were not peaceful? There are times when you can sense the tension in a space. Taking a moment to pray can not only help out you at ease but present you with the wisdom for navigating the space and bringing peace to that space. When Jesus was on the boat with the disciples, he was perfectly at rest, yet the distress of his disciples prompted his prayer to speak to the storm and the winds and waves calmed.

Daily Engagement:

One problem that results in places where friction exists is when time is not allotted for engagement with others. Whether it is the leader who never interacts with the staff or an employee who recuses him/herself to the cubicle as though they have no need of the team or office. Jesus’ style of discipleship was quite the opposite. While there were surely times when he removed himself from his disciples for prayer or rest, the majority of his time was with those he taught. That daily engagement allowed him to set the tone and for them to acclimate themselves to who he was and what he was there to do.

Daily engagement in the spaces we’ve been called to have influence in and bring healing must have our engagement. That engagement gives us authority and authenticity in that space. We can shift atmospheres through engagement because we become familiar with the mood of those we interact with.

We don’t have to be the thermometer that simply gauges the climate of a space. We can actually establish the climate like a thermostat through these things. When we carry His glory, His peace, and His presence, and are willing to be observant, pray, and engage, we can shift the atmosphere.