Matt 20:24-27 and Mark 10:35-45 gives us great insight into Jesus’ concept of leadership in the church.
Both are accounts of the same conversation, with the mother of James and John left out of Mark’s narrative.
James and John wanted preeminence, and Jesus’ response speaks to leaders to this day.
Unfortunately, I could find no reference to these passages in Dave Harvey’s polity booklet, nor could I find any on CJ Mahaney’s blog.
Here’s what Jesus said to the twelve: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
At the Lord’s Supper ( Luke 22:24-27 ), the twelve had a dispute, again regarding preeminence. Jesus again addressed the twelve-the men who (aside from Judas) would become true Apostles. The men who, along with Paul, would have a unique authority within the Church-an authority that no one shares today.
Jesus said: “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”
WOW!!!!
“For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
Amen-anyone aspiring to be a leader should be made to recite these verses of Jesus verbatim!
musicman! Welcome!
I was hoping you’d show up. You’re correct about the leader’s mindset.
The church in general has borrowed far too much from corporate America.
So true (about Corporate America) and so sad that we too often settle for such a narrowed definition of leadership.
I believe that, in SGM leadership minds, they think they are serving in their own capacity, through teaching, counseling, etc.
Canary, has anyone ever told you that you have alot of wisdom?
KS,
Okay, there’s my laugh for the day!
By the way, Jim and Carole,
I love the “Random Quotes”.
THAT phrase inspired the addition of the widget.
By the way, since all of the humorous quotes were taken way out of context, I’ll delete anyone’s quote upon request.
Just shoot us a note.
Hehe…Nope, I like mine.
AKS,
I’m thinking it could probably happen again….
Canary;
“I believe that, in SGM leadership minds, they think they are serving in their own capacity, through teaching, counseling, etc.
Dan,
Welcome back
I’m pretty shocked that the words of Jesus, directed towards leaders, would not be taught to SGM leaders.
CJ’s blog has 7 posts on conferences, 2 posts on humility, 8 posts on leadership, 19 posts on pastoral ministry, and 7 posts on preaching.
He clearly addresses pastors very often on his blog. The largest category is pastoral ministry, with 19 posts.
Instead of sharing the words of Jesus with his audience of pastors, he quotes some guy telling them that they “stand in the very stead of God”.
Maybe they emphasize the words of Jesus to the founders of the church in the PC in such a way, that CJ, the king of “let me remind you”, doesn’t feel that this is an area that the pastors he “serves” need to be reminded of.
In Dave Harvey’s polity statement, he actually uses Philippians 2:3-7 as a proof text for SGM’s “first among equals” concept of the senior pastor.
This from a guy with a D.Min from Westminster.
I’ll be dissecting the entire booklet in an upcoming series of posts.
It won’t be pretty.
In my many mad musings I
Well said John.
I’d only add that the “first among equals” considers his greatest act of service to be his 60 minute Sunday lecture. The current sgm sr p is not a part of the “body life” of his church. They are in no way available for every phone call-their secretary is.
A sr p’s primary concern is reading and sermon prep, and ensuring that his wishes are carried out, as HE is that man with the vision for the church, since he sits in the seat of Moses.
Wow. scary…
Hey Jim,
First among equals sounds strangely similar to some animals being more equal than others.
And I am equally amazed at the preoccupation with authority and submission. I would likely be in a state of shock if a SG church ever hosted a sermon on mutual submission.