How Do Leaders Serve?

Pastor J.D.:

I have found that a temptation of leadership is to let greater position and power make you think that you are too important to do certain things... after all, you have "people" who can do that stuff now. How absurd. That's probably why Jesus, after His rightful position of leadership had at last been secured in the eyes of the Apostles, took time to wash their feet. Note, it's not that from that point on He was the designated foot washer. Next time they saw Him I doubt anyone said, "Hey Jesus, my feet are dirty. That's your job." It's just that at His greatest point of leadership He reminded us, and Himself, that all we do is to be in the spirit of total service to others.

Leaders of large organizations will have people who can do things for them, and will have to place boundaries around them to protect their time. Some will do it as a point of privilege. Others will do it as a way of empowering themselves to more greatly serve others. For both types, the structures and systems may look the same. Their hearts, however, will be entirely different. What difference does that make, you ask, if the result is the same? All the difference in the world! One is the spirit of Satan, will lead to pride and joylessness, and will certainly not enjoy the blessing of God; the other is in the footsteps of Jesus and will thrive with the joy and power of the resurrection (Phil 3:10-11).

God help me be the latter. I really want the joy and power of walking with Jesus, not the false joy of vaunted pride.

So, practically speaking, one of the things I've been thinking about recently is how to, in the midst of having to protect my schedule by saying "no" a lot, work in regular "foot washing" experiences. I've heard of one pastor who will occasionally say to a staff member: "What is there that you normally wouldn't ask me to do that I can do for you?" One pastor told me that he occasionally would take over the clean-up or table-waiting duties at church events, even when there were others to do it. This reminded him, and all those watching, that the heart of everything we do as followers of Jesus, even when we lead, is SERVICE, not privilege.