LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH TODAY   

 BY GBILE AKANNI

(Living Seed Vol 9 No. 4 October 2002)

n anticipation of an outburst that will soon be coming over several of our nations as a fulfilment to definite promises that God has been sending to some of His servants in mercy; these past few editions of LIVING SEED have been focusing on the question: “whom shall we send? (Isaiah 6:8). We have done this under the titles: “GOD’S BIG QUESTION”, “NEEDED: A BODY FOR THE MASTER’S USE” and “THE MAN THAT FITS GOD’S WORK”. This is because we perceive that God is bent on recruiting men that He can take into His quiver for this particular revival.                                                                                                                         

This fact of God finding appropriate men to use, if He must visit this earth, is still the burden that underlies this edition. We are led to highlight misconducts; arising from misconceptions of leadership opportunities God in the past and present times granted to several men in His Church.

Mark 10:35-40.(NKJV)
“Then James and John the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, we want You to do for us what ever we ask. And He said to them, what do you want Me to do for you. They said to Him, grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory. But Jesus said to them, ‘you do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that lam baptized with? They said to Him, we are able. So Jesus said to them you will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared. ”

This request of James and John, appears like the request of several well meaning servants of God all over the nations today, who are anticipating a divine visitation over their labors, their lands and indeed the nations… and are indeed earnestly pleading and praying to God to have a major part in this revival.

The first thing I want you to note is that Jesus did not rebuke these two for making that request. Nonetheless He gave them a condition 1 Tim.3:1 says,
“This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.”
It means if you desire to be an overseer, that is not a problem. That is a good desire. But note that the Bible says, “He desires a good work.” What God approves is not a desire for the titles or the glories that accompany leadership. It is a desire for ‘the work’. So like we earlier noted, these men made a request that reflected a quiet desire in their heart. It looks similar to what several of us reading this are also requesting and praying about…

Many men and women desire to become instruments for revival in God’s hands; coming to a point where they will preach a single message and that message will turn a whole town around: not just in a mere activity but in true repentance. Preaching a message that can make kings tear their garments and come down from their thrones is the cry of several of our hearts. Do you remember the single message of Jonah that turned Nineveh to God? A message that turned a whole city, such that even the goats were compelled to fast in repentance; the king came down from his throne and sat on the floor in sack-cloths for days crying to God because one servant of God had received an anointing that brought him on his knees.I know many of you would like to have such a testimony and to have such results. But do not forget also the incidence that preceded it – the baptism that Jonah had in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Do you remember how he came to the point of complete brokenness that brought him to the shore of Nineveh and brought that kind of utterance from his mouth by the mercy of God?

We love John the Baptist, don’t we? We love him for his effectiveness – the effective way in which God used him! The way in which, in six months, we are told that the whole Judea, the whole Idumea, went out into that bush where the man was staying, to be baptized of him. We all also praise God for the ministry of brother Paul — a man who in three years had turned the whole Asia upside down. All these and several more are the glories of revivals that dot the galleries of God’s gracious visitations to people at one point or the other. I believe such reports as these are sufficient to motivate any of us to make the kind of request that John, James and several of us have made.

However, there was an underlying issue in that request that our LORD Jesus, who

sees the intents of every heart, picked up. This seemingly good desire most of the time comes with a strand of carnal ambition. The lust for power and prominence; the hunger for place and position often gets mixed up with many of our cries for God’s manifestation of power through us. As it came spontaneously out of the belly of the ‘sons of Thunder’, it evoked violent responses from the other ten disciples. So it is the quiet reason for so many struggles, break aways, and independent works we see in the midst of God’s servants today. The core of these leadership tussles in the Church did not just begin today… It had its root right from the fall of Man in Eden. Moses was not spared of the same battle even from his own ‘very brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam. Dathan, Abiram, sons of Korah were only manifesting the same lust for power. Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses’ authority simply because they had a wrong perception of divine placements. Joab slaughtered Amasa for the same reason. Jacob outwitted Esau in the matter of birthright, just because leadership can be gained by conquest. Today, the church of Christ is battered and divided in between as many ministers as there are, just for the quest for who shall be accounted greatest among us. This aberration has destroyed God’s work in every generation. It does not spare any move. Unless we deal with it from its rudiments, it will without fail siphon again the revival for which we have cried.

The essence and burden of this study is to unravel these misconceptions, while learning from the LORD’s response to James and John and eventually to the rest of His disciples, the heavenly pattern of leadership which Christ Jesus Himself embodied and charged us to walk in: following in His steps.

 Grant That We May Sit…

When Jesus told them,… you do not know what you ask,” He was dealing with an attitude and a misconception that is generally prevalent in the hearts of most men during revivals or an outburst of God’s move. The first of such common misconceptions has to do with the perception of leadership. There is an erroneous understanding that has permeated several men on pulpit today, and several men who are laboring for revival, or aspiring for leadership in the Church. The Lord Jesus was quick to notice and deal with some of these aberrations even in the seemingly innocent and earnest prayer request of John and James.

The sons of Zebedee came desiring an opportunity… they came actually desiring leadership. Like we said before, that in itself was not bad. It is a good thing, a noble request. But you can even see in that prayer how the flesh, the human nature can hijack what is ordinarily a noble platform for advancing the kingdom of God among men or an opportunity to affect men for God, into a place for self-glorification. All leadership positions: Bishopric, General overseer, Arc deacon, Superintendent, Pastor, Vicar, et.c. are platforms and positions several men are laboring and clamoring for every where today, but for a different purpose. It is to “sit”! What the flesh envisages as leadership (at whatever level and capacity) is nothing but an opportunity to “sit”. A time, a place, and a privilege to sit…To sit over men and women, over finance, over fame, over church properties, indeed over any and every thing that can give expression and vent to that ‘man of sin’ within.

The apostles, though they had companied with Jesus for some time were themselves still far from the heart and the understandings of God over this matter. They were not requesting for the work of a bishop; the labors; the burdens; the tears and pains that true leadership entails. They were asking for the “SEAT”: the carnal authority, the force and power that positions exert! They only saw the privileges and the opportunities, (and there are several of them): the chance to enjoy and be comfortable; to sit while others serve at their request and at their command; the chance to be heard while others are silent and to always have the final say over every matter. You know the disguise and the shades under which this insatiable attitude of the flesh has manifested in the church of our Lord

Jesus in this generation! The craze for bogus titles: “Pastor In Charge”… “Most Reverend”; “Founder and President”, and other official hierarchies; the plush offices and ministry headquarters buildings costing much money and resources; the state of the art ‘four wheel drives’ and ‘Pajeros’; and the elaborate investiture into power, the flowing robes and regalia that the men of God (especially now in Pentecostal circles) are using to squander heavenly resources. These are all a testimony to the perverted understanding of the role and purpose of leadership in the Church.

“And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And He said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and they that exercise authority upon them are called ‘benefactors’. But ye shall not be so, but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is it not he that sitteth at meat? But l am among you as He that serveth.” Luke 22:24-27.

Now, what is the nature and purpose of leadership in the pursuit of revival? The same incident in Luke 5 rendering gives us an insight into the Lord’s heart and indeed to the whole purpose of leadership in the Kingdom. Leadership is not a position, a post or title by which to be distinguished. It is not a place of issuing orders or commands. Much more, it is a place of selfless, rigorous and relentless service and labor

“.. The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.”

First, in the world system, you know those who are in leadership (those in charge) instantly by their titles, their offices, and their carriages. Sometimes you know them by their dressing (expensive well cut designer dresses or even special robes). Usually, when you enter into any premises in the world system, even without making enquiries, you will normally find the leader at the center (or top) around which, and from where every other person gravitates. You will hear him issuing forth orders, commands and queries simultaneously. And then all you hear from every other voice, direction, and angle is: yes sir! Okay sir!! et.c. In the world system, the leader sits down, while all others serve at his commands and at his directions. Even in several families, the father only sits down issuing commands to the wife, the children and the house helps. His voice of command dominates the whole house: “Who put this plate here?” “Em Kunle, have you cleaned my car?” “Buki have you washed my dresses and ironed them?”. These are common scenario from the every day drama of life in the world system.“…The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them…” In other words, leadership in the world system is by command, by continuous instructions from the leader or the commander. He commands, not by example but by mere words backed by the force of his position.

Secondly, leaders in the world system are actually called benefactors… “…and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.” (Benefactor is from , the same root word as benefit). They are the recipients and beneficiaries of the services, obedience, sacrifices and labours of every one else who is unfortunate to be under them. They themselves are the object of service. They don’t serve, but collect the services of all others! Every other man serves their purpose, their ego, their appetite, fame, e.t.c

Wherever and whenever this principle is operated, the so-called leaders, who are normally held in confidence, in privileged custody of trust, secrets, and resources, are actually the beneficiaries, the recipient – and their liabilities are to be serviced by the labours of all others… Can you see why this arrangement can never advance the Kingdom? Do you see why so much money gets embezzled in government? It is the greatest hoax ever organized by satan… It is like asking a cat to be in custody of your rat: No matter how patient the cat is, in the long run, the rat will end up in its stomach…Such leadership principle will never advance revival, it will kill it!

In this arrangement, ‘class and status’ is emphasized at the expense of relationship and service. Men who are placed in the ‘leadership class’ are lifted up as sacred cows, while their followers are the scapegoats. Instructions, commands, heavy burdens flow from their lips for others to bear, while they themselves are exempted. They are secret offenders of the same offences they are arresting others for.

Our Lord captured this attitude of worldly leadership in the Pharisees and the Scribes…

“The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat… They say and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen of men; …

–And love the upper most rooms at feasts, and chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi,

—For ye devour widows’ houses and for a pretence make long prayers.” Matt.23:2-7,14

Do you notice that it is the same trend of leadership being perpetuated in our midst today? If it is limited to govern ments of our nations, it bothers me not  much, but to see this being boldly imported into the Church is the trouble that we
must ask God to deliver us from. Let us highlight these briefly:

“They Sit In Moses’ Seat…”

Moses was a leader, who prayed and interceded for the people to be spared at his own expense:

“Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou has written.” Ex.32:32

He poured out his life and comfort to secure a place of rest for the people who least appreciated him. Leaders of our time emphasise the ‘seat’, the authority and the position of Moses, when it suits their lust and personal convenience, but shun the labours, the agonies and the selfless service Moses rendered that earned him the seat.

“They love the uppermost rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues. They love greetings in the markets.”

They hardly can enter and sit among the congregation unnoticed. They announce their arrivals with relish. Even when a church service is in progress, they don’t mind interrupting things, just to be brought forward and to their ‘seats’ on the platforms. Brethren are made to line up with flags and anthems, with trumpets to welcome “the man of God”.

The concept of “High table” “Guests of Honour,” “Distinguished V.I.Ps” are all from this root of carnal, oppressive leadership structure. “‘Upper rooms at feasts,” “salutations in the markets;” “‘chief seats’ in the churches” are all the manifestations of this kind of leadership aberrations.

“They Say and do not”…

What a matter! The leader declares a day of labour…. He himself is conspicuously absent or he remains in the air — conditioned office as the supervisor. Others are compelled to fast for a project, but the leaders treat themselves to sumptuous meals behind the curtains… ;

They put their hands in the pockets while they shout on fellow brethren to run around. If it is teaching, they are great teachers; but in practice, they are deficient. Their wives are the “Big Mummy’s” of every body… They stretch their feet only to collect homage; they are leaders only by “saying” not by “‘doing’’. When they venture to do anything, it is to be seen of men. It is for the video coverage. If they pretend to dig a well with the people, it must be covered by the Camera and published in the pages of the News letter of the ministry.

“They bind and arrange heavy burdens and grievous to be borne on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not move it with one of their fingers.”

High expectations they have of their followers. Big demands they make of men (in the pretext of the anointing) but right in their own lives and homes, they would not lift a finger to touch any of such duties. Leadership position, to them, is exploitative. It is a place to get men to do for you, what you cannot and will not even do for and by yourself. Even in villages, the Pastor’s farm must be worked upon by all the members of the church. He announces how many bags of rice or beans that must be harvested this year! What he would not attempt with one of his fingers, he makes mandatory for the members.

“They love to be called of all men ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”

Does this wake up a secret desire in your own heart as well? Once in leadership, you cannot endure to be called “Brother or Sister” again… It must be “Pastor this: Rev. “that”; “Bishop or Elder”… “Superintendent…” What was meant to be descriptive of your service has become a title and a status symbol. They love to be called of all men… hence it is printed as part of their names. It is now their credentials. It is used as a measure of hierarchy and attainments. It is announced! When anyone mistakenly introduces them without these appellations, they are immediately offended and seek redress… In recent times, this same evil is quietly advancing into many dangerous dimensions. It is now “Papa”, “Daddy” “Mummy” etc… I fear if one of these days … it will not graduate to “Pope”… Even Christian students on campuses oppress their fellow students once they are elected into the Exco. They become “Papa’ and they must be served. Their birthday party must be planned and sponsored by the brothers and sisters in the fellowship and all that sort of thing. I must not speak of all kinds of services “sisters” are made to render to these brothers just because they are the C.U President for the year… :

They devour widows’ houses and for pretence make long prayers…

It looked far-fetched in my heart several years ago … but not so any more. When I sit back I hear the way our preachers and leaders raise offering for their personal use. I see them use the Scripture on the “Widow of Zarephat; and the “Widow in the gospel” to demand for people to empty their purses for the ‘man of God’. Some give tokens: “Pebbles of stones”; “Mantles of red cloth” and “special anointing oil bottles” or “blessed handkerchiefs” to those who give (according to specified amounts). Seeing all these, I know we have entered into a difficult period in the life of the Church.

Long prayers are made in pretence for donors. Telecasts are arranged to show “the prayer chain for those who send in their seed-faith! “Sow a seed for that problem to be solved” is a common challenge you hear on the pulpits and on the TV nowadays…

They devour widows: Unstable souls are threatened with the curse of poverty if they do not respond to these gimmicks… This kind of leadership style does not originate from the Shepherd of our souls… it is the grand plan of the enemy of our souls..

Men now fear “the man of God’ even more than they fear God Himself. It is apparent that this is the devil again seeking to displace God (who alone is worthy to receive absolute service and worship from all His creation), in the hearts of men and replace Him with ordinary and empty human beings, under the cover of “anointed leadership.”

Strife And Envy…

Looking further into the dialogue between Jesus and the two brothers, James and John Zebedee, as rendered both in Mark’s account and Luke’s account or even in Matthew’s account, we discover much more what could belie several pursuits for leadership that many have put up in the Church today. It shows us what we must examine as men seeking to be relevant in the coming revival. While Jesus was responding to James and John “you do not know what you are asking for,” and He was beginning to instruct them on the nature of true spiritual leadership and the price they must pay even if God will ever consider them for divine placement, we notice the zeal with which they said, “We are able to drink the cup” as if it were a very sweet cup of cold juice.

At a first glance it may not be easily obvious why John and James went all the way to invite their mother (Matt. 20:20) for the kind of prayer request they came to Jesus with. Even when Jesus gave them a very strenuous condition: “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” which alone could have scared the faint hearted, their determination was unequaled. “They said to him, ‘we are able’”. Such zeal, such eagerness for the things of heaven and the glory of God is commendable at least on the surface level until God’s Spirit penetrates the depth of many a heart to reveal the often concealed but underlying motives for the many sacrifices and pledges men serve God with.

Apart from the Almighty power of the Holy Spirit, self is single handedly the most powerful motivator and sustainer of many works and projects that many men are engaged in. Several feats and ministry exploits could be carried on in the Lord’s name yet, initiated and perpetuated by the energy of the flesh. However, the

presence of Mr. flesh or self in whatever measure (no matter how small) renders such work accursed before God.

Envy and strife among others, are two most subtle manifestations of the flesh that can be the hidden motivation for several laudable projects:
“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife;Php 1:15.
They are often times the secret fruits of the self-life that prays, fast, gives and cries for prominent roles and leadership positions in God’s work.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are …Strifes, jealousies, anger, contentions, disputes…”
Another word for strife is to struggle, to compete, etc. Self cannot be happy except if recognized, and then acclaimed as better than someone else. Though on its own it does not mind mediocrity, sloppiness, and failure, as long as no one else succeeds; but once there is a comparison, he becomes challenged even for excellence. As long as there is someone who will be at the losing end, self will do all its best.

It will struggle to be first, as long as there will be third, fourth, last, et.c. That is why the principle of competition and prizes is introduced and used so much in the daily affairs of the world system. Right from early childhood in school, children are quietly pitched against each other to extract some extra performances.

Self can go to any extent to make all the costly sacrifices and adjustments for spirituality, if at the end there will be somebody that he will be more spiritual than…He loves to out pray…out give…out love, but will never do them for God’s sake or see such as eternal life virtue to be pursued. But if it is just to outdo somebody else, then self will-go all the way.

Self can hardly get on in the company of others where its glory can be ascribed to or submerged by others… It loves to be alone and dominant so that it can be praised. As a communual  life and effort, the poverty and wickedness of self is second to none. Not even the notorious seagull:

“As a bird, the seagull exults in its freedom. He thrust hits wings backward with powerful strokes, higher, higher until he is majestically above all other gulls …in
a flock, though, the seagull is a different bird. His majesty and dignity melt into a sordid slough of infighting and cruelty. Watch that same gull as he dive – bomb into a group of gulls, provoking a flurry of scattered  feathers and angry squawks, to steal a tiny morsel of meat. The comcept of sharing and manners do not exist among the gulls. They have no patience for the weak. They are so fiercely competitive and jealous that if you tie a red ribbon around the leg of one gull making him standout, you sentence him to execution. The others in his flock will furiously attack him with claws and beaks, hammering through feathers and flesh to draw blood. They’ll continue until he lies in a bloody heap.” Philip Yancey

This fleshly manifestation of ambition, and desire to be prominent, and to out do one another was what Christ was dealing with in the disciples when He said:

“You will indeed drink the cup that I drink. And with the baptism that I am baptized, you will be baptized. But to sit on my left hand and my right is not mine to give. It will be given to those for whomit is being prepared.”

At this, Jesus may have dashed the hope, the excitement of James and John. They must have had to go back to decide if they were to still drink this cup; since it was now obviously certain that the seats would not even be exclusively theirs.

The Eruption Among The Ten

So far you would imagine that this carnal desire was only manifest in James and John, because they spoke out their internalised ambition. The rest of the ten appeared innocent, until there was an eruption among them… They were also struggling with, “Who would be the greatest among them.” This shows the same misconceptions in their own hearts.

As soon as they saw James and John seemingly negotiating for positions they all regarded as the “greatest” and for which each of them quietly had an eye, they could not hide their indignation…

“And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.” Mark 10:41

They did not ask for the topmost seat. They appeared as if they were serving God without an eye on anything. They were behaving as if they were not interested, as if to say, “as for us we just want to serve God”. But as soon as James and John indicated their interest, they were irate! Let me illustrate this. You know there are times you sit in company of others to eat. You quietly sat down eating as if you were not interested in the meat in the soup. But you were only waiting to see who would first show his greed. It is not that you are not greedy, but you have been taught not to show it. As soon as a seemingly junior brother stretched forth his hand to pick the piece of meat that you had been eyeing, what did you do?
Something jumped inside you and you found yourself Saying, “Stop it! “If you take that one, what will the rest of us take.” Now what is the difference between you and the other young man? There is nothing! It is just that self can become advanced or civilized. There is a self that will quickly show, but after much teaching, after much interaction with religious things, self sometimes becomes civilized. Self doesn’t wan, to disgrace himself. He is watching for who will do it first, So as soon as they heard that John and James were talking about the two seats, what happened? Quarrels! All of them now said “What do you mean? Are you the only people? Eh?” Look at the way the Bible put it.

“And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.”

The question is what were they being greatly displeased with James and John for? After all Jesus did not even give them the seat. But just making an attempt ahead of the rest of them was enough to annoy the ten. They were following Jesus quite alright and it appeared as if their purpose was just to see revival burst forth and the Kingdom of God established, but behind it was the subtle self programme of competition and rivalry.

Do you actually love Jesus from the depth of your heart or are you only out-playing some others? Are you a mere competitor, who gets more fire to run when

others are about to take over your place? Are you only outwitting others by praying more hours, giving more money, attending more programmes and fasting longer days?

Would you have slept if no one else was there as an alternative to you? This question must probe into the fabrics of your soul! Do you actually love Jesus personally, implicitly and exclusively? Is Jesus still your personal and private choice ‘when all eyes are no more looking at you?

Can I ask you, what is your motive for wanting to be used of God? What is the thing that is making you cry for effectiveness? Is it because you are tired of being small? Is it because those that started ministering behind you, have made it that you are saying, “God, whatever I must do to make it, I  am ready to pay the price.”?

This desperation that you are beginning to express now, for “whom” is it? This desire for breakthrough that you are praying about, who is it for? Is it for self that is feeling bad that he has not achieved anything and therefore looking for something also to boast about among collegues? Are you looking for something to show? Is that why you are so zealous and so eager? This desire to preach and see souls broken under the power of God, for whose interest is it? These desires for the throne on the left and on the right, for whose interest are they?

But God is asking, ‘Who will go for us? If we give them power now, for whom will they go? If we give them the instrument of ministry now, for whom will these ones go? For example, though Thomas was following and never showed interest for leadership, he was eyeing it. As long as the seat was vacant, no problem. But when he noticed that some people were trying to get it; then — he protested: “You think I am following for nothing.’’ Now all that may explain why several of our prayers are not answered.

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?… Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:1-3(KJV).

That may explain why even though you are crying “Lord, give us some Revival! Use me!  Use me!!. And you have  cried like that for some years now, but God is still unable to determine  “whom” you want to go and for what purpose you want the revival.
I know many people will be willing to pay any price if they can see the benefit of leadership position coming to themselves. I know by now, you are familiar with Mr. Self — self that fornicates, self that tells lies, self that does several atrocities. But there is another self that can even suffer for God, once he is sure that the throne, the crown, the seat is secured for himself.

The Lord Jesus said something in that passage that is very interesting. As soon as the young men asked for the thrones, He said, “you don’t know what you are asking for.” But in any case, the throne can only come after baptism and after the cup. “Are you able to drink and get that baptism? They said “we are able…” He replied, yes, “you will indeed drink the cup. You will indeed be baptized with that baptism.” But even after you have done that, you may not be able to sit on the throne. Could we ourselves be ready to say, “God, what is the cup? What is the baptism? Let us pay that price to secure the seat not necessarily for ourselves. Let the seat be first secured and whosoever God chooses to sit there, he can come. But we are ready all the same; to drink the cup and share in the baptism”.

To labour with God in revival, that is the kind of prayer, and motives that must underlie all our sacrifices. We must first and foremost drop the strifes, the self -ambitions, the misconcieved, and cheap desires for position and projection of any kind in the household of God.

What Is The Lord’s Response To All These?

The aberrations so far discussed appear popular among men; it seems so natural to human nature. Most of our cultures and traditions uphold this form of leadership. It has been practised since the fall of man… Jesus’ response and instruction to the disciples and to every one that seeks a place of service in the kingdom remains loud, clear and unambiguous. He leaves us no alternative. He gives us no allowance to import strange fire unto the altar. He did not only teach what was the approved pattern from heaven, He Himself lived, practised and made Himself the pattern, vivid enough for us to follow. As we examine this pattern from the mount, I must remind you that twice in the New Testament we have heard the voice from the excellent glory declaring, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him.” And in several parts of the Scripture, we recognise that, “The Father loves the Son and has put all things in His hands” and that “it is He on whom God the Father has placed His seal of approval and authority. What He says is final. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Take His instructions seriously, otherwise heavens and the saints aforegone would regard you as an unserious fellow, trifling with eternity with a careless heart.

“…But so shall it not be among you”’
In dealing with all the misconceptions men have about leadership in God’s Church and in the work of ministry, our LORD is quite unequivocal. He did not stand mid-ground. He is not ambiguous. He is not vague either. It was not an advice He gave, it was an instruction… He expressed Himself in the very clear but pungent words that need no grammatical analysis. It does not take a degree in Greek, Aramaic, English or French to understand His position in this matter…
“But it shall not be so among you.”
He began by referring to what we all know… “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them…” It is first a matter of where you belong. He recognised the system of rulership among the Gentiles – the unconverted, the uncircumcised and the worldly. There is a clear demarcation and a boundary
that is not adjustable. It is the boundary between two kingdoms: Light and darkness. One is of the earth, the other is from heaven. If you belong to the kingdom of light, you cannot stand in between opinions in this matter. “It shall not be so among you.”’

Secondly, this issue is that of genuine conversion. It is a test of, if all things about you and me have become new. It is not first an issue of how you see it! It is whether you have been converted and you have ‘let go’ the old things and the habits of the old man. It is so fundamental that Jesus speaks of it so strongly in Matt 18:1-4 (KJV).

“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set
him in the midst of them, And said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven”

This issue is the principle of the Kingdom of heaven in contrast with the principle of the kingdom of darkness.
When He says it shall not be so among you… it means, none of the practices of leadership among the Gentiles is transferable, nor permissible in the Kingdom of heaven. No aspect of that system is allowed to operate among you — men of the Kingdom of heaven. It is as bad as ‘sin’ in the presence of Him whose eyes cannot behold iniquity.

Look at the conception and the terminology of leadership among the Gentiles… “… They which are accounted to rule” – It is the matter of “regarding;” “acclaim”, “external assessment’’ etc, but in the Kingdom of God, it is not so. Leadership does not depend on other people’s rating and accounting. It is not first an impression created on people around;  it is not their vote that puts a man in leadership… it is God ordained. He does not walk with people’s acclaim. It is for whomsoever He has chosen and prepared for it.

“…exercise lordship over them”

Out there, it is a matter of ‘lordship’ -lording it over by exercise! It has to come by exerting some muscle and force; be it the force of human intelligence and money; the force of power and charisma; the force of age and achievement. It is a lording over by the exertion of a force… Some now will perpetuate that principle by the exercise of the spiritual power of gifts and even grace. Those who cannot excel with this, go for witchcraft and mysticism.

But here, in the Kingdom, it shall not be so… Here, we do not exercise lordship.. it is fellowship… and both the leaders and the led are fellows… They are fellow brethren. He is not exalted to be the “great one” because he is serving in leader ship. It is just a service rather than a status. Hence, Jesus never encourages leaders to be addressed with titles other than their ordinary names and such that reflect our brotherhood.
See Him instructing the disciples on the same issue, from an earlier passage we have quoted:

“They (the Pharisees and Scribes ) love the upper most rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the Synagogues. And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.”But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for
one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your Servant.” Matt 23:6-11 (KJV).

Note the “But” in verse 8 and 11. This is the word of contrast and different direction. Though others seemingly of the kingdom may practice such a thing, if you are one of His, you will not partake of this. Men would love to call you names and titles because of your leadership role in ministry which have benefited them…

But be not ye called ‘Rabbi’ — Do not allow yourself to be so called. You are not the master of your brethren. We all have one Master and LORD. Do not let men rank you with Jesus, Our LORD and Master… you are all brethren though you are serving in a leadership capacity. And even if you have been so blessed and impacted by the ministry of a leader… Do not idolize him.

“And call no man your father upon the earth”

Whatever you benefited, he was only used to pass on to you, he was as a channel. The blessing came from your Father, which is his own Father as well. He does not become the Father, because he was sent on an errand to convey a blessing from heaven to your life. Jesus demonstrated this even at the tomb after resurrection when He sent Mary to Peter and the other apostles.

‘Jesus saith unto her, Touch Me not; for lam not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God”. John 20:17.

Note this: He did not say, but go to “my boys,” “my children’? “my servants”, “my drivers”… but go to “my brothers”, then “I go to My Father and your Father’’…

What a principle we see vividly in our LORD! Why must I be a different specie in the same Kingdom of heaven? ‘It shall not be so among you. Don’t allow zealots and young converts to make of you a master! You are a fellow brother and sister with the least of the saints.
“and their great ones exercise authority upon them”

There, their “great one” (not necessarily our own) exercise, usurp and enforce authority upon them… but here we do not flex muscles. Authority is not to secure forceful submission. Authority in the Kingdom of heaven is that which enables you to serve and serve the brethren well enough and not an instrument of control.

“but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister.”

He shall be your slave. He will slave himself out in selfless service to the benefit and blessing of all. Greatness here is not in height or stature. It is not in the size of car or dressing. It is in the matter of service. Ministry unto the saints; paying the ransom for others to be comforted and be comfortable is the road to greatness in this kingdom.
“And whosoever shall be the Chief, shall be servant of all.”
Again, I wish you will note this carefully. He shall be servant not of few big brothers, but servant of all. He will serve the older and the younger alike. He will serve the rich and the poor. He will serve the intelligent and the fool alike. He shall serve all, as their servant.

As we draw this instructions to a conclusion, it is worthy of note that Jesus concluded by pointing to Himself as the audio visual aid; the example and pattern for this lifestyle and servant leadership.

Jesus Himself: Our Pattern

“For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45.

Note, “Even the Son of Man” came not to be ministered unto (not to be served; not to receive and enjoy the services of men) but to serve… Who are you? What is your level of anointing that makes your back so unbendable to serve the saints? Where did you descend from? You have always been on earth and of the earth! He came from above… “He who is from above is above all’’, declared John the Baptist… and yet He served… Why are you arrogant as to insist that your brethren call you “Master’’, “Reverend’’, ‘‘Papa’’? simply because of the grace and gift of God upon your life? “What have you, that you have not received? And if you have received it, who makes you different from your brethren?” 1 Cor 4:6-7.

In John 13, Our Lord Jesus laid aside His garments of glory and put on the apron and towel of service and washed the feet of His disciples… And drawing deep lessons for them He said…

“Know ye not what l have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well: for so I am. If I then, your LORD and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” Jn 13:12-17.

You cannot say this is ambiguous. It is so clear! It is not the ceremonial feet washing that men again have made a doctrine that He is dealing with. He is dealing with service… and service to those who appear to be inferior and mere subordinates.
“Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves him? The one who sits down, of course. But I am among you as one who serves” Luke 22:27, (Good News)
This is the challenge to my own life again… “I am among you as one who serves,” Jesus declared! He was their Saviour! He healed their sicknesses; He paid their poll taxes. He stilled their storms. He provided their bread and fish. He named several of them, as He changed their destinies. Yet, He is among them as one who serves… Surbodinates sit, while the Lord and Master serves them… This is how it is in this Kingdom of heaven… What do you say to all these?

In The Light Of All These…

Now, against all this background and implication is the true nature of a leader in the Body of Christ who is actually the servant. The one who serves the others! Jesus said: But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as

the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
The greatest of leaders in God’s Kingdom are not known or distinguished by any externality: titles, words of commands, clothings, positions or any other such carnal arrangement… but by their service. The labours and the sacrifices they keep making among men is what distinguishes them. If you come in their midst, you might miss them, because they might just appear to be the ‘house boy’, (rather than the commanders). The least dignifying labor, they might put their hands to; their simple, casual, and self effacing appearance may knock you down if you weigh it with the gravity of their past achievements and exploits…

Remember Jesus, with all His anointing and fame, that when His enemies came to arrest Him, it was a hard time for them. This happened because by comportment and dressing, He could not be distinguished from among the common folks that He was leading. They needed to pay Judas Iscariot an expensive fee to point Him out for arrest. This was so dramatic that His enemies literarily got knocked out and down by this paradox.

 “Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said unto therm, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, l am He. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them. As soon then as He had said unto them, Iam he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” John 18:2-6 

Leadership in the body of Christ is only a call to take your place in humble, earnest, toil among men… It is to take the lowest position, and become the lowest paid. It is to become the least honored and the less favoured. It is to give rather than to take; to give your substance, your time, your rights, your privileges… and when that is not enough, it is to give your life!

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matt. 20:28

“Let this mind be in you, Which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Hirmself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death…”  Phil. 2-5-8 

Leadership in revival is actually to be ahead… to be the first… but first in suffering, first to endure…first to be denied and first to do. It is to be a continuous example… someone who is always sent rather than the one who sends…Not necessarily to be one issuing commands. But even when he must give orders, he is not exempted from receiving. And all for the benefit of others and never for what he can get.

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind : Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock”. 1Peter 5:1-3

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