Servanthood

Let me begin by admitting that this post is a rant. I hope that it is cogent enough to be understood, and relevant enough to be useful. Yesterday afternoon I was informed that yet another “bishop” has fleeced the flock in a local church. I am not going to name the bishop, church, or even location at this time. This “bishop” was called to lead this congregation after its former pastor retired after 30-plus years of faithful service. This former pastor has been called out of retirement to lead a church in turmoil. Although the congregation seemed to grow in size in the little more than a year since the “bishop’s” installation, it is rumored that the mortgage hasn’t been paid in months. This while national television and streaming internet ministries have sprung up and expanded.

Why am I ranting? Why am I saddened? Because this is another case of a Pharisee in a pulpit, posing as a servant. We have too many Pharisees in pulpits, and not enough servants. What amazes me all the more, is that there are more Pharisees leading large congregations than there are servants. I thought that the problem may lie in the people’s inability to distinguish between the two. Let’s turn to a couple of Scriptures for some aid in distinguishing between a Pharisee and a servant.

Jesus, in Matthew 23:2-12 says,

The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for the say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth you father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

Can you recognize a Pharisee when you see one? Do you know the signs? Here is a brief list of some of the warning signs. Your leader may be a Pharisee if:

They know what the Scriptures say we should do, but are not demonstrating it in their own lives.

Jesus says that Pharisees know sit in the seat of Moses (knowing and holding the authority of the Law). He charges the crowd and disciples to do what these leaders tell us should be done, but not to do what we see them doing. Why is this? Because they are not living what they are preaching. In fact, the things that they so readily tell others must be done, they would not even make the slightest effort to do.

They are always looking for the big stage to perform their service or deed on.

Jesus says that the Pharisees do all of their deeds to be noticed by men. They have the biggest phylacteries (a leather box fastened to the forehead and forearm that contains scrolls of Scripture) and the longest tassels on their prayer shawls. These leaders want to be noticed whenever they do something. They seek a crowd for their service, or send out a press release to announce what they are about to do. The more persons who witness their service, the holier they believe they are.
They are motivated by position and titles.

Jesus says that the Pharisees want the best seats at banquets, and desire to be referred to by a multitude of titles. Modern day Pharisees attach to themselves titles such as overseer, bishop, apostle, prophet, and are offended if these titles are not used when referring to them. They often seek to be called father (“dad”) or mother (“mom”), and seek parental authority without parental responsibility.

By way of contrast, Jesus in Matthew 20:25-28 says,

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever whishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Jesus in these verses, as well as His life, tell us what the leadership of a servant looks like. We should look to follow leaders who desire to lead in the manner that Jesus led, being a servant first. Your leader may be a servant if:

They think about your needs or the needs of the group before their own.

Jesus says that anyone who desires to be your leader would first be your servant. A servant-leader knows that their role is the building up of other people, so that the common goal can be achieved. In order to accomplish this, the servant-leader sees everything they do as meeting some other person’s need. Preaching and teaching are not so that I can draw a crowd or make a name for myself, but so that this group’s or individual’s need may be met, in order that we can all move toward our common God-given objective.

They are as comfortable in the role of follower as they are in the role of leader.

Jesus says that whoever wants to be first would first be a slave. A servant-leader does not mind following the lead of another person. This is because a servant-leader recognizes that a leader must be able, and comfortable following the lead of another person. It is only a self-absorbed, arrogant, or prideful leader that believes their voice is the right voice in every situation. A servant leader must have cultivated the character traits that allow them to desire the good of the group above their own good, and the desire to build others and community above building themselves.

They know, and welcome the fact that a leader’s role calls them to sacrifice.

Jesus says that a leader will see themselves as the Son of Man saw himself, as one who came to give His life for many. A servant-leader will always ask, “what must I do that will get the group closer to the fulfillment of our mission/goal?” Whatever the answer to that question may be, the servant-leader is ready to engage it.

There is no doubt in my mind that there are currently too many Pharisees posing as servants in the Lord’s church. An answer to this dilemma, is to arm the people of god with information needed to discern the difference. Everything that fills a building isn’t from the Lord. Know what you are following. I grew up watching G.I. Joe on television. At the end of each episode G.I. Joe would give us children a moral lesson. He would end each lesson by saying, “now you know, and knowing is half the battle.” Now you know.