It’s easy for a preacher to declare, “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45), yet living out this
principle is challenging.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at a Discipleship
Training Camp. In such camps, we often teach about servant leadership, but a
question has been lingering in my mind: Do we genuinely walk the talk? Do we
live out the servant leader lifestyle? My co-speaker at the camp left a lasting
impression on me. Even when it wasn’t her turn to lead sessions, she selflessly
worked in the kitchen and assisted in serving the campers. The caretakers of
the Retreat Centre were genuinely astonished to see her tirelessly working in
the kitchen while also dedicating time to preaching. There was no pretense in
her actions – just sincere, humble service.
It’s easy for a preacher to declare, “Even the Son of Man
did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45), yet living out this
principle is challenging. Do people genuinely witness servant leadership in our
churches today? What hinders us, as Christian ministers, from embodying the
true essence of servant leadership? Perhaps the teaching that Christian leaders
deserve double honour (1 Timothy 5:17) causes us to seek and demand respect
rather than earning it through humble service to others. I’m not disputing the
truth of this verse – it is undeniably true. However, in my preaching and
teaching, I often emphasise that while it is crucial to understand and embrace
what is written in the Bible, it is equally important not to read what is not
there. What doesn’t the verse say? It does not instruct, encourage, or command
Christian ministers to expect, seek, or demand honour.
Let those who need to apply this teaching embrace and focus
on it. Of course, I’m not arguing that Christian leaders are well respected.
Whether or not we are respected is not my concern in this write-up. I’m also
not brushing off this teaching of Paul as insignificant. But my concern is
that, as Christian ministers, we must focus on what is demanded of us. That is,
but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever
wishes to be first among you must be your slave (Matthew 20:26-27). We must
take these verses to heart and think less about 1 Timothy 5:17 because it is
something we ought to apply in our lives and actions.
In many Christian programmes, we participate in the symbolic
act of washing each other’s feet. However, once these programmes conclude, do
we truly embody the spirit of humility and service in our daily lives? Are we
approachable, willing to serve others with genuine humbleness? Too often, it
seems we fail to internalise the profound lesson Jesus demonstrated when He
washed His disciples’ feet. As John Stott observed in his writings, foot
washing was the task of a slave, meant to teach us the essence of selfless
service. Yet, I fear that for many of us, this act of humility remains confined
to a ritual within a programme rather than becoming a way of life.
Another reason I think Christian ministers struggle to embrace
a servant lifestyle is our obsession with titles. Needless to specify, notably,
two particular titles stand out – they are widely discussed and frequently
sought after in our churches’ domain. Recently, while conversing with an author
who is also an associate professor at one of the most prestigious universities
in our country, I mentioned that I hadn’t seen any title preceding his name on
the cover of his book, even though he could have included one. I jokingly
remarked, “If you were a theologian, surely the title would have been
mentioned.” He replied, “Titles are not for flaunting.” Do we, as Christian
leaders, preachers, and teachers, use our titles to flaunt rather than to
serve? It is a difficult truth to deny. Even during self-introductions, many
Christian ministers mention their title before stating their name. The title is
not our name. If we truly wish to add something, rather than using a prefix, we
can opt for a suffix by adding the word Minister after our name, signifying a
commitment to service.
Nowadays, even in the pursuit of higher theological studies,
the primary focus seems to be on obtaining degrees and titles rather than on
genuine learning and spiritual growth. I’m not suggesting that pursuing higher
studies is futile or without value. But those who talk with me about the need
for higher education mostly focus on societal trends and the honour that comes
with a prestigious title. Only a few talk of pursuing higher education for the
sake of learning.Are we drifting too
far with the current of change? While I fully acknowledge the necessity of
adapting to the changing times, not everything should be subject to change.
Theological students and graduates frequently emphasise the importance of
understanding context and remaining relevant to society. However, if we
overemphasise relevance, we risk falling into the trap of the ‘Idol of
Relevance’. Seeking relevancy can become our idol.
The Bible tells that when selecting a leader, humans tend to
focus on outward appearances, while God looks at the heart. In today’s world,
people often prioritise degrees and titles when appointing individuals to roles
in the church and ministry. However, I firmly believe that God still values the
sincerity and condition of the heart above all else. I recently came across an
advertisement from Police Union Baptist Church, Kohima, for the position of
Women Leader. What caught my attention was the first listed qualification: “BA”
– not Bachelor of Arts, but “Born Again”. The second requirement was a Bachelor
of Theology (B.Th) or a higher theological degree. Today, we seem to take the
first qualification of Police Union Baptist Church Kohima less seriously than
we should.
Jesus rode on a donkey, symbolising his role as a servant
king. He humbled himself to wash his disciples’ feet, demonstrating true
leadership through service. He fed the hungry, showing compassion for those in
need. He healed the sick, even touching those deemed unclean and untouchable by
society, breaking barriers or prejudice and exclusion. And He calls us to
follow His example, walking in His footsteps of love, humility, and selfless
service. As Christian preachers and teachers, we can lead by example, starting
with something as simple as washing our own plates during church programmes.
Unfortunately, many churches do not permit this, even when we insist. Somehow,
it has come to be seen as an unusual or inappropriate act for us, though in
actuality it is not. However, we can change this perception. Perhaps we can
establish a principle that we will always wash our own plates at every church
gathering. In UESI programmes, preachers are given the opportunity to wash
their own plates, which is a commendable practice. Despite the abundance of
water, many events today rely on paper plates. This trend likely stems from the
desire to ease the workload of the host. However, if each attendee takes a
moment to wash one’s own plate, it would significantly reduce the host’s burden
while also conserving trees. After all, paper plates are made from paper pulp,
which, though derived from renewable resources like wood, bamboo, or sugarcane,
still contributes to deforestation and waste. Notably, we can begin by taking
responsibility for washing our own dishes at home.
Servant leadership calls us to action in many ways, but one
simple and meaningful step we can take is to serve those in need – the poor,
the sick, the elderly, widows, orphans, and others who require our help. However,
service is not just about action; our attitude matters just as much. We must
examine our intentions. Are we serving for personal recognition, or are we
doing it for the glory of God? True servant leadership is marked by selfless
love and a heart devoted to honoring God through our deeds. At another recent
Students’ Camp, I was deeply impressed by a fellow speaker who played a crucial
role in every aspect of its organisation. From arranging accommodations and
managing the kitchen to handling marketing, he was tirelessly involved. During
the camp, when students felt cold, he went door to door in the village, humbly
requesting for blankets and personally distributing them to those in need. His
service was marked by genuine humility – free from any pretence or desire for
recognition. It is no surprise that he chose to leave his prestigious position
in the IFOS, secured through UPSC, to dedicate himself entirely to preaching,
teaching and counseling.
I write this article fully aware that it may offend or unsettle
some individuals, yet I feel a deep need to reconsider servant leadership and
its practical application in our daily life. I do not write because I consider
myself humble. Rather, I write because I recognise my own pride. I agree with
C.S. Lewis that the first step toward humility is to think and recognise that
we are proud. As Christian ministers, let us always remember that, even the Son
of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Before you take any action, I
encourage you to reflect on this simple yet profound test – the SAT – Servant
Attitude Test: Once I step down from my current responsibility, will I feel
uneasy or reluctant to use public transportation? Even now, if my personal
vehicle breaks down and I have a very urgent work to attend to, will I feel
uncomfortable or hesitant about taking an autorickshaw, bus, or any other form
of transport? Take a moment to assess your mindset and honestly declare the
result of your self-examination.
