Abuse of Power in the Church—Part V—Leadership vs. servantship

Looking at Mark 10 is instructive as we think about Jesus and leadership. In the early part of the chapter we see “crowds of people” continuing to come to Jesus…and He keeps teaching them. There are moments when He spars with the Pharisees. The Pharisees are about the letter of the law…and entrapment of Jesus for their own gain. Jesus is about heart transformation, life-change.

When people bring small children for Jesus to bless, His own disciples reprimand these people for doing so. Jesus’ response? “He was indignant.” Angry. Outraged. Incensed. Furious. Then He says to His disciples: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:14-16). Not dominant, personal-kingdom-building leaders (like the Pharisees) but those who are childlike…those we have a tendency to dismiss for their lack of “importance” to what we think we are doing. Jesus has radically different priorities to the religious leaders of His day—and of today.

The chapter continues with Jesus’ interaction with the rich man. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:21-23.) Mind you, right before Jesus says these things, our text tells us that “Jesus looked at him and loved him.”

Jesus speaks of leaving everything to follow Him. Jesus’ emphasizes sacrifice which challenges our comfort. He’s asking for full commitment. A giving-up. Trusting God to do that which seems impossible to humans. We, on the other hand, trust in our plans, our building campaigns, our leader’s vision. We want God + success, God + wealth, God + fame. Jesus turns all this on its head when He says in v. 31 “…many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Again, the reordering of worldly priorities to reflect God’s upside-down kingdom.

Right after Jesus tells His disciples—for the third time—that when they get to Jerusalem, He would be arrested, given a death sentence, mocked, flogged, and killed—and rise again three days later, James and John ask that they might sit on either side of Jesus in His glory. Jesus talks of the ultimate sacrifice…submission to the will of the Father…giving up His own life. These two followers talk of jockeying for position…ensuring their status as “favorites” of the teacher…eager to rule, perhaps over others. When the rest of the disciples hear about this shameless play for power, they are enraged. Jesus gathers them all together and says “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45).

Not “leadership” but “servantship.” Not “lording it over” others, but humbly serving one another. Not striving for “greatness,” but mirroring our Lord who came to serve—which looked like giving up His own life for others.

The chapter ends with a blind beggar named Bartimaeus shouting through a large crowd for Jesus to have mercy upon him. Many in the throng “rebuked him and told him to be quiet”—simply making him yell even louder. Instead of ignoring this marginalized human, likely used to being reprimanded and reproached, Jesus stops and tells the rebukers to “Call him.” We see no rebuke from Jesus but a treating Bartimaeus with dignity and respect. Jesus publicly affirms the faith of this man: “your faith has healed you.”

Our model for ministry leaders and for every member of a congregation is Jesus:

·         Jesus is about heart transformation, life-change.

·         Jesus desires that we come to Him like little children.

·         Jesus has radically different priorities than we do.

·         Jesus’ motivation in all He does is love.

·         Jesus asks for sacrifice and total commitment.

·         Jesus Himself is all-in.

·         Jesus came to serve.

·         Jesus sees, hears, calls, and engages (and heals) the marginalized.

Does this list reflect how you lead and how you engage with others in your congregation/ministry?

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Catalyst for Equipping at her church since 1999. Contact her about growing your self- and other-awareness and life/ministry coaching.

Photo (c) Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.