Spiritual leaders who follow Christ's example should become servant-leaders. Jesus was the perfect example of a servant leader. He served all people, and He served those who ministered with Him. Jesus said to His disciples that, rather than calling them "servants," He called them "friends" (John 15:15). Galatians 5:13 speaks to all believers, whether spiritual leader or church member, when it says, "For you were called to be free, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love." Servant leaders, and every person is a leader who has someone who looks up to them, should serve from a place of love. Thanks for the teaching, Dr. G.
Some useful thoughts here. But I would eschew the term 'leader' completely. The word is absent from the NT and its modern usage has more in common with the ancient 'archon' than anything like anything in the scriptures; except for the religious 'leaders' who earn Christ's wrath! In the church we are all servants. The word and work 'minister' has to be revived and the word 'leader' and the, frankly stupid, if not un-christ-worthy oxymoron 'servant-leader' expunged from church life. In a church I once served we got rid of this word from top to bottom. We had a few full-time people: our pastors, teachers, elders; those who looked after ministry groups were 'coordinators', they had assistants for large groups who were 'organizers'. Small groups had 'conveners'; larger study groups had moderators. Everyone was a 'helper'. For all in such positions we taught the three principles of service (after Paul in Philippians 2:3, 4) for those who took specific responsibilities for service: Responsibility, Respect, Relationships; and to do three things: focus the mission, resource the team, and encourage the members. The role of the minister for those in such positions was to be the communication/information hub, to advocate for their team and develop members' capabilities inasmuch as they sought this. Above all it was being together with them as the Spirit taught us all to grow, to encourage, and to support.
Spiritual leaders who follow Christ's example should become servant-leaders. Jesus was the perfect example of a servant leader. He served all people, and He served those who ministered with Him. Jesus said to His disciples that, rather than calling them "servants," He called them "friends" (John 15:15). Galatians 5:13 speaks to all believers, whether spiritual leader or church member, when it says, "For you were called to be free, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love." Servant leaders, and every person is a leader who has someone who looks up to them, should serve from a place of love. Thanks for the teaching, Dr. G.
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Some useful thoughts here. But I would eschew the term 'leader' completely. The word is absent from the NT and its modern usage has more in common with the ancient 'archon' than anything like anything in the scriptures; except for the religious 'leaders' who earn Christ's wrath!
In the church we are all servants. The word and work 'minister' has to be revived and the word 'leader' and the, frankly stupid, if not un-christ-worthy oxymoron 'servant-leader' expunged from church life.
In a church I once served we got rid of this word from top to bottom. We had a few full-time people: our pastors, teachers, elders; those who looked after ministry groups were 'coordinators', they had assistants for large groups who were 'organizers'. Small groups had 'conveners'; larger study groups had moderators. Everyone was a 'helper'.
For all in such positions we taught the three principles of service (after Paul in Philippians 2:3, 4) for those who took specific responsibilities for service: Responsibility, Respect, Relationships; and to do three things: focus the mission, resource the team, and encourage the members. The role of the minister for those in such positions was to be the communication/information hub, to advocate for their team and develop members' capabilities inasmuch as they sought this. Above all it was being together with them as the Spirit taught us all to grow, to encourage, and to support.
Beautiful teaching!