Practice being a servant in the kingdom of God
Recently, while reviewing a Next Level Leadership Study, “The Servant Principle,” I was asking myself the question, “Do I have a choice in being a servant?”
The very word servant for us carries a negative connotation. Who wants to serve or be subservient to another person? This is not the way it is supposed to be. In all of our organizations there are those at the top and those in the middle and those at the bottom. Those in the middle and bottom are to be subservient to those at the top. Surely that is the way it is in all of life.
While I was studying through “The Servant Principle” and its main focus, Jesus, I was soon realizing that being a “servant” is something that Jesus was teaching his followers. This is the way to set the example and make an impact on our world. However, it will take us from the secular or mundane to something higher and loftier than we could ever imagine. It will take us in the footsteps of Jesus.
Thinking through this concept, I began to ask myself who are the servants that we might model, that we might give thought to. First, are the thoughts about mothers, fathers, teachers and preachers? Since part of my ministry assignment is small churches and bi-vocationals, I began to think about how much they serve and how they are like the servant model that Jesus taught.
I then read some words in the material that captured my heart and thoughts: “The servant is easily identified.”
Our culture is consumed by the cult of celebrity. Everywhere we look, we see the “beautiful people” – politicians and sports heroes – but in God’s eyes, the real heroes are those who serve.
The real stars of the world are not necessarily the pastors who publish books, produce TV programs, and preach to mega-congregations. The real stars are the pastors who lay down their lives on fields of service in places no one ever notices. They are the men who serve as “bi-vocational” pastors. They make a living with a full-time secular job. Then they give that living back to God through some small congregation, and faithfully burn the midnight oil to be able to preach God’s Word week after week. These are the real stars.
Consider:
• They may never get written up in a magazine or periodical.
• They probably will never get recognized for building a mega-church.
• They seldom get invited to speak at conventions or conferences.
But I think they are the real giants, the real stars in today’s world.
If I tried for 100 years to express how I feel about our bi-vocational pastors, I do not believe that I could find more adequate words than these to express my admiration for them.
As you are thinking about how being a follower of Jesus makes you a servant, consider this: “The servant principle is Christ’s revolutionary way of the heart which challenges our core beliefs and values, rivets our affections on Jesus Himself, and compels us to live and love like Him.”
Would you begin the journey with me to become a practicing servant of the Lord Jesus Christ? While we are practicing being a servant like Jesus, we hope to become like Jesus, and the world will see a different you and me that is much better than we could have ever hoped or dreamed.
Would you consider the study of “The Servant Principle” in your church or association? If so, please contact my office at groach@mobaptist.org or by calling 800-736-6227 Ext. 208. (George Roach is ministerial services specialist for the Missouri Baptist Convention.)