LEADERSHIP OR SERVANT HOOD?
LEADERSHIP! Isn’t that the hot word today? Have you ever heard of a “Servanthood
Conference”? I haven’t. Who would come? But put out the word on a “Leadership Conference”
and the turnstiles start spinning. The term “leadership” kind of titillates your ego, doesn’t it?
Interesting, is it not, that Christ had little to say about leadership, but spoke profusely on
servanthood. For example,
“Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:44b, 45) (John 12:26; 13:2-17)
Dr. R. Edmund understood the Biblical perspective on leadership and servanthood in
stating that as Christian educators and disciplers “our job is to train servants. It is God’s responsi
bility to raise up leaders.”
We often find the idea of “servanthood” similar to a chicken bone wedged in our throat
because:
• We don’t like to be treated like a servant. Yet, we like to be known as one: “Slaves, submit
yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to
those who are harsh.” (I Peter 2:18)
• We don’t like to serve when the visible results are meager or nonexistent: “Therefore, my
dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the
Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (I Corinthians 15:58) (I
Thessalonians 3:5)
• We don’t like to be taken for granted: “So you also, when you have done everything you were told
to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ “ (Luke 17:10)
• We don’t like to be maligned, misunderstood, or judged for our efforts: “As servants of
God...: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots;
in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger.” (II Corinthians 6:4,5) (I Corinthians 4:13)
• We don’t like what it costs us in terms of time, resources, comfort or safety: “Therefore I
endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain… salvation… ” (II Timothy
2:10a, c) (I Corinthians 9:19-24; II Corinthians 6:4, 5; 11:23-29)
Christ’s true ungrudging toilers anticipate the day when He will utter to them,
”Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge
of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21b) (II Corinthians 5:9)