Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Servant Leadership

'have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves” (Luke 22:25-27). Sadly, the same competitive, self-seeking spirit exhibited by the disciples is alive today. Perhaps its most common form is expressed by the question, “Who has the largest church?” David Prior, in his book Jesus and Power, illustrates the carnal striving among churches because of envy and pride over which is bigger and better: This rivalry among his disciples was a constant thorn in the side of Jesus. It was endemic in the church at Corinth (cf. 1 Cor. 3:1-15). It is frequently found today among and within large evangelical congregations which strive to be larger, better and more famous than each other. The very size of these congregations often produces an envious attitude among not-so-large churches, an attitude which reveals precisely the same competitive spirit in those churches also. During the last twenty years I have been a member of four congregations with attendances which happen to have been much higher than most in the neighborhood. Being an Anglican, these four have all been Anglican churches. One of the most difficult obstacles to overcome has been the unholy combination of pride-in-numbers in the local church on the one hand, and envy-at-success in the diocese on the other. Competitiveness is a cancer. Jesus recognized it as completely hostile to the reality of power which he was teaching and demonstrating.”9 JOHN 1323-172 WASHING ONE ANOTHER’S FEET. That same Pass over evening when disciples questioned who among them was the great est, Jesus illustrated the humble, servant role that is so basic to His ministry and to the ministry of those who follow Him. He demon strated that role by washing His disciples’ feet:

And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know

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