“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
Jesus who was the greatest leader history has ever known or will ever know, has provided in His life the perfect example of “true leadership”. It was Jesus who used the teachable moment when asked by the mother of Zebedee’s sons to “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit on your right hand and the other on the left in your kingdom” (Matt.20:21b) and the ten responded with indignation against the two brothers that he taught them and teaches us about the two forms of leadership and points out which is correct for the church and it’s leaders.
From the reading of this account in Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45 and Luke 22:24-30 Christ makes it clear that there are two types of leadership in the world- Gentile (authoritarian) and Christ-like (service) Christ tells the apostles that this Gentile type of leadership was not to be so among them meaning the “I am the boss; the one in authority, therefore you must do this or else”; attitude, but he says the type of leadership they are to exhibit is that of SERVING- leading by example. When one studies closely John 13 it can be clearly understood that Christ is teaching the similar lesson (cf. John 13:15). He gave the example to serve one another through love (Gal. 5:13).
The Gentile style of leadership-authoritarian-being practiced among the disciples of the Lord is condemned in the scripture (Matt. 20:20-28 and 1 Pet. 5:1-4). The leaders of Christ’s disciples must not bring the world’s form of leadership into the church but must follow the divine example of Christ and His apostles, that of Humility and Service.
J.J. Turner has studied and written widely about leadership in the church. Brother Turner wrote the following observations:
“If the church is ever going to accomplish the mission given to her by God, it must have spiritual leadership” .
“The church is spiritual in nature and purpose. This why men involved in leadership must be spiritually minded men. The Christian leader is a redeemed man who is still fighting the flesh (cf. Galatians 5:7; Romans 7:14-25) (J. J. Turner).
Let us prayerfully study and grow together in Christ by being Servants and not Lords, as the gentiles.
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