Thoughts From Your Regional Minister
Published in the October 2021 issue of the Kansas Messenger
I have been thinking a lot about leadership lately – especially as it relates to church life and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For many people, leadership is equated with a position of authority. It is something that only someone in a position of authority can do. In fact, one of the reasons people seek out positions of authority is to exercise leadership and be in a position where they can influence the direction of an organization.
For others, the motivation to seek a position of authority is a desire to feel significant. They mistakenly believe that if they can “lord it over others”, they will be seen as significant. And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we know that not everyone who is in a position of authority exercises leadership. When this happens, we judge it to be a failure of leadership.
Mark 10:42-44 gives us a different picture of leadership. In this passage, the disciples were arguing over who was to be the greatest in the kingdom of God. Jesus calls them together and says such arguments over power and authority are how gentiles, that is unbelievers, behave. Seeking to dominate others is contrary to God’s will, says Jesus.
Instead, Jesus teaches us that to be great, we must humble ourselves and serve others. Servant leadership is one of the key characteristics of a follower of Christ and a mark of a minister of the Word.