Servant Leadership

24Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26“But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27“For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves."
Luke 22: 24 - 27 NKJV

There was a post this week from our friend Wayne Jacobsen from his recent foray into the bloodbath that is the modern middle east.  It seems that Wayne and his companion made the trip to Isreal recently and documented their incredible journey to this historic land.  It was during their travels that Wayne encountered a tour guide who supposedly gave them some sage advice as to the state of current world politics.  As their guide related, "The crisis in the world in the world is a lack of good leadership."  I would only half heartedly agree with this statement made from one who was basically stating his own personal opinion.  That being said, it is my belief that our modern world is indeed in desperate need of sound leadership.  In my lifetime I can recall many a unfit political leader who has graced our world statge.  In our own country James Earl Carter, Bill Clinton and Barak Obama certainly come to mind when I think of failed leadership.  But it certainly does not end with these three debacles of ineptude.  No, for it seems that everywhere we look we see daily examples of those who may have began with good intentions but soon fell well short of sound leadership.  Is there any doubt as to why the approval rating of our nations congress is at a all time low?  This is our nations leadership, and it seems that we don't have too much confidence in their ability to lead our country.  In fact, all too often it seems that both sides of the political aisle are more concerned with one upping each other than in being the effective leaders our countyr sorely needs.  Yes, our nation clearly needs leadership, but just where will it come from.  Like many others, I had high hopes that Donald Trump would be the one to once again bring that sound leadership to the country.  However, each day we inundated with the latest political argument as the nation looks to its leadership to...lead.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not acomprehend it.
John 1: 1 - 5 NKJV

So, it seems that I would be in error if I didn't say just what it is that I consider to be sound leadership.  Well, I can honestly say that what our nation has had over the past eight years is not sound leadership.  For I do not consider degrading our nation on the world stage and promoting discord among the people of this nation to be sound leadership.  Indeed, when president Obama called on supporters to "Get in the face" of those who disagreed with Hillary Clinton I did not see in him a sound leader.  So, what is it that makes a good leader?  What are the qualities of that one who would soundly and effectively lead our nation?  I would suggest that we have not encountered such a person as of yet in our nations history.  I believe that the closest we have come to sound, effective leadership is that of the presidency of Ronald Wilson Reagan.  Being a christian, I believe that a effective leader is one who would seek Christ Jesus first and formost in all that he does.  Yes, I will get some pushback from those who claim that we must have a seperation between church and state.  However, one thing that many do not realize is that the idea of the seperation of church and state was actually an idea floated by Alexander Hamilton and is not in our nations constitution.  But I digress.  Besides being one who seeks Christ Jesus, I believe that another quality of effective leadership is one who leads by example.  I am much rather to follow the lead of someone who is willing to put himself on the line than someone who hides behind a desk.  I also look for other qualities in a good leader.  Patience, compassion, understanding and the ability to see that they themselves are not above the people they serve.  Yes, this is quite a wish list indeed.  The man Christ Jesus had every right to place Himself above all creation.  However, as Jesus tells us in Luke 22, Jesus Himself came not to be served but to serve.  I would challenge anyone who desires a leadership role to enter into it with this understanding.

~Scott~