Servant Leadership

Wednesday, 11th April 2007

There has been much talk lately about leadership.

As Christians, we should see things from a Biblical perspective.

Pastor Peter Koh was talking about oxymorons in a recent sermon. Here is one more for you: "servant leader".

In particular, let's look at Matt 20:25-26
25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

Jesus was the leader to His twelve disciples. Yet, He took on the form of a servant and set an example for us by washing His disciples' feet.

At a recent staff retreat of our Church, the Pastors followed the example of our LORD and washed the feet of the church's staff.

That is what true leadership is all about --- servant leadership.

The mission of ACS (Junior) (which is the school that my son is attending) is to nurture boys who are:
Aspiring
Confident & Caring
Servant Leaders who are a
Joy to self & others

Instead of debating about the rights and privileges of leadership (like what the sons of Zebedee were doing as recorded in Matt 20:20-21 (which resulted in Jesus' response as quoted above), let's instead focus on how we can be of service to others.

I remember an incident back in 1988 when I was attending a Youth Camp. We were divided into the 12 tribes of Israel. The tribe of Benjamin was the overall champion, and when they were asked to go and receive their prize, the leader humbly went to the back of the queue to be the last one to receive his prize.

That incident may have happened 20 years ago, but it remains vividly etched in my mind till this very day.

So, let the leaders of the world pursue the things of the world. After all, what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? (Matt 16:26).

As Christians, we should not resent our leaders, but instead continue to pray for them. After all, the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, and He will direct it as He does the paths of the river (Prov 21:1).

Pray until something happens (P-U-S-H) :-)

Shalom
Malcolm