Servant leadership

https://odb.org/2024/01/15/the-greater-win

Mark 10:35-45 records a conversation between John and James and Jesus. Basically, James and John asked to be seated at the right and left of Jesus in His glory – meaning to be the top leaders of the Kingdom of God. But Jesus replied that they did not know what they were asking. Can they drink the cup that He will drink and be baptised with the baptism that He will be baptised? Jesus was asking them whether they could go through the suffering that He would go through? After the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, the 11 disciples and Paul all suffered greatly, and all were eventually martyred. As much as Jesus said in Mark 10 that the request of John and James was not for Him to grant, that the places belonged to those for whom they have been prepared, I believe the disciples with their eventual lives would qualify them to be there at the top.

Contrary to what’s been seen in the lavish lives of some famous evangelists, leadership in ministry does not come with riches and glory. Ministry is not the path to fame and fortune. Leadership in the Kingdom of God is to serve and suffer for the flock. That is why going full-time is never an easy decision and should not be taken lightly. We should spend more time praying and meditating on the Word, speaking to God to confirm our calling. There are tremendous blessings that come with it but also intense suffering. It is a life of servanthood, serving the needs of the congregation, both physical and spiritual. Preaching from the pulpit is a necessity, but that’s not all. Leadership in ministry and the church (and that applies to lay leaders, too) is to be a servant to all. As leaders, we are meant to help everyone to become the person God wants us to be. We are to encourage and support everyone so that all of us may realise our full potential in Christ. We are there to cheer everyone in the race, even as we ourselves are running the race. We are participants and also cheerleaders.

Ultimately, our lives, once redeemed by Christ, are to be lived for Him. Whether we are in leadership or not, whether we are young believers or have known Him for ages. We can’t say he is the leader. Thus, it is for him to do. We are all responsible and accountable. We are in this together, although as leaders, we have higher accountability to Christ.

Remember, Christian life is not only about enjoying the life and presence of God. There is much work to be done. All of us are called to be servants in His Kingdom of Grace. That is why we can not be believers in isolation. It’s always a congregation and a community of believers, living in the centre of His glorious will for our lives! We need to be both Mary and Martha, not one or the other!