GOSPEL MESSAGE & RECORDING
It is typical for us to think of leadership in non-Christians organizations (businesses, associations, political groups, community agencies, companies, corporations, etc.) and our church community. Maybe we are all willing to admit that it is not the same. The prevailing assumption is that good leadership has certain distinguishing qualities across the board, such as people management, organizational skills, and content knowledge and expertise. However, there is a difference between the two. When we reflect on Christian leadership, there is a clear distinction that must be made; Christian leadership has nothing to do with the prominence of an individual or with achievement or success but has everything to do with influencing others for Christ and His kingdom. To explain this, let me point out two things.
Think “lowly” of yourself
In the Pauline epistle today, we heard the words of the Apostle Paul, “think not so highly of yourself, but to each one has been given a measure of faith.” (Romans 12: 1-15) St. Paul tells us not to think that we are “somebody.” As leaders of the Church, we should not consider ourselves to be of great accomplishment or any stature. This does not mean we should not acknowledge ministry positions, such as lay leaders, preachers, evangelists, prophets, deacon, deaconess, cantor, priest, and bishop; but rather that such posts are in place the service of others so that they might come closer to Christ. This means that the person in the position does not matter. A hard thing to consider in our time – is it not? We seek a position (I speak in general terms) to promote who we are rather than promote Christ. The root cause of this is pride.
The opposite of what the Apostle is attempting to teach us today. Therefore, we should think “lowly” of ourselves. This does not mean we rid ourselves of any confidence but rather that we should see ourselves as servants of the Lord. It is ultimately, as St. John the Baptist said regarding his ministry, “I must decrease, and He must increase.” (St. John 3:30) If we think highly of ourselves, then we will become prideful. Eventually, this will lead us to lead others to ourselves and influencing them for our own sake rather than for Christ. So, then, let us lay aside pride and put on the virtue of humility.
Position of “service.”
It is true that in the world, there are positions of power. People in power. In the Church, however, there is no such thing. Our Lord taught us that He did not come “to be served but to serve.” (St. Matthew 20:28) He set the example of “servant” leadership. That is, in the Church, there are only positions of service. In our Indian Orthodox Church, the Priesthood has drifted away from this idea. It has become a position of power. The priest is seen as someone high and lofty. Not diminishing the priest and the spiritual gifts that come along with it, we as a Church should return to seeing the Priesthood as a ministry of service, as equally a pastor as much as priest. Then this attitude of service will prevail among all the leadership of the parish.
Let us pray that each one of us would not so much consider ourselves but only Christ. In so doing, as leaders, or even as non-leaders, we would influence others for Christ—point to the Kingdom of God and never to ourselves.