From The Pastor’s Desk
Dear Ones in Christ,
Warmest Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In the business world the theme of servant leadership has become very popular today. This theme, which is projected as an important management skill, has its roots in the Biblical tradition. In our context where money power, egoism, media and social status manipulate Christian leadership, it is hoped that this article will help us to develop a proper understanding of Christian leadership, based on the Bible.
“You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and have no dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” (Exodus 18:21)
When Moses’ Father-in-law, a priest of Midian saw that Moses was looking after the administration and guidance of the people of Israel all alone by himself, he advised Moses to delegate his responsibilities to others and share the administration with others. Moses listened to the wise counsel of a priest of another religious tradition. Although he was practicing centralized administration, he was open to new ideas that are helpful to him and others. The new proposal of Jethro decentralized the power of Moses and gave an opportunity for others to take part in the decision-making process. When Moses decided to include others in the decision-making process, the administration became smooth and easy. At the same time this enabled others to bear the burden with Moses. On the one hand this new arrangement drew people more closer to Moses, thereby making his leadership and administration more efficient, and on the other hand many people could share the responsibilities of Moses and improve their leadership skills.
“But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant.”(Mk.10:43)
In this passage, our Lord compares the way the secular rulers exercise their authority and power with the exercise of power by his disciples. Jesus points out clearly that the gentile or secular rulers ‘lord over’ people(v.42). In contrast to the oppressive and dominating power exercised by the secular leaders, Jesus gave a new interpretation to ‘power’ and its use by the leaders. Jesus taught, who ever would be great among you must be your servant, and who ever would be first among you must be servant of all (vs. 43-44). Jesus understood power in Him as the power to serve and sacrifice his life for others, and not as power to dominate and rule over others for selfish ends.
The feet washing episode (John 13) is an enacted parable that demonstrates the nature of servant leadership. Jesus was willing to humble himself to the level of a slave. Having girded with a towel, he washed and wiped the feet of the disciples, including an enemy who later betrayed him. This action of Jesus, a Guru washing the feet of sishya, was also counter cultural. Through this act Jesus taught a profound lesson: the characteristic mark of true leadership is the willingness to humble oneself to the lowest level. Among the disciples all have equal status, though their functions differ. It is to reiterate the equal status and to drive home the point that no one should consider oneself greater than others, that our Lord exhorted the disciples to wash one another’s feet.
If one were to ask Paul, “Who are you?” Paul would reply “I am the slave of Christ.” (Romans 1:1, Phil. 1:1). Paul put himself on par with other leaders, although he was a towering Christian leader in the early Church, in fact, the greatness of Paul lies here. When there was a threat of disunity in the Philippians Church (Phil. 4:2), Paul exhorts to be united (v.2). This exhortation of Unity is rooted in humility. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of humility as we read in Phil. 2:5-11. Although Christ was the leader of leaders, sharing equality with God, having all the prerogatives of God, he emptied his divine privileges and opted to be born as a human being. He humbled himself to the lowest level in his birth by being born in a manger as the son of a carpenter of Nazareth. His humility could be seen in accepting the scum of the society: the poor, the sick, the infirm and the outcasts, to his fellowship during his public ministry. The climax of humility is exhibited on the cross, where he suffered a shameful, painful and slow death. Therefore God has exalted him to the highest level, above every name. Jesus is the example for every Christian to follow. Since the master of every Christian leader has opted to be servant/slave, a true leader cannot be different from Jesus.
Yours in His Ministry,
Nebu Achen
