Page 60 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

60 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

The Call to Servanthood

LESSON “‘Whoever wants to be first must be your slave’” (Matthew 20:27).
3.1 they could have a greater reward in the future, Jesus offers a brief sentence that
With the disciples jockeying for position and looking for ways to stand out so

may be among His most revolutionary teaching. The idea that greatness comes by
choosing the lowest place is far removed from the functional mentality of nearly
3.1.1 every human culture.
OBJECTIVE Understanding Jesus’ intent in this passage is absolutely essential for the
Define the concept of minister. Real satisfaction and a clear sense of purpose are found at the end of
servant leadership and this path. Sadly, numerous individuals have chosen the path of ministry and never
provide biblical support discovered the joy of being called according to God’s purpose. The reason? Often
for this concept. they have failed to apply the principles of servant leadership.

3.1.2 Servant leadership is wholly different than any other model. Its foundational
OBJECTIVE principles reveal a completely different set of sources than all other leadership
Prepare a biographical models. The minister must not think he or she can simply adjust a secular concept
report of a ministry leader of leadership to fit the ministry task. Such an effort is destined to fall short.
who depicts the concept of
servant leader. Servant Leadership
3.1.3 The Secular Context
OBJECTIVE When Jesus gave these instructions on leadership to the disciples, He set them
Prepare a set of guidelines against the backdrop of the secular mindset of His day. In most every way, that
for developing your own mindset remains the backdrop in modern times. Leadership, though achieved by
servant leader character. a host of different means, typically looks about the same in every setting. Some
may come to leadership by superior performance, that is, becoming the best in
their field. Others are selected based on the merits of their skills, selected from
among peers because they demonstrate leadership ability. Still others are placed
in authority because of who they are, such as the inheriting son.
Regardless of how one becomes a leader, the end result looks much the
same—the leader rules! To succeed a person must fulfill the leader’s wishes,
follow directions, accomplish the leader’s priorities, and simply impress the
leader. The secular leader lords over subordinates. Even the most gentle leaders
expect obedience to their instruction.
This dominant leadership model is a staple of western thought. The strong
survive and spend the rest of their days trying to maintain their perch, sometimes
by excellence and sometimes by eliminating competitors. This has been the
corporate model in business, politics, and sometimes the church.

1 How did secular leadership While the secular model of leadership matches the capitalistic environs of
create the oppression Jesus modern life, it is not a good fit for Christ’s church. Modern times have seen
came to relieve? numerous examples of the abuse of leadership positions or the manipulation
of the role for unimaginable personal gain. Jesus watched the same process
occurring among the Romans and Jewish leaders of His day. Selfishness abounds
at every level, but the leader is in the ideal place to express it most fully.

A Radical Departure
Secular leadership is most likely the model the disciples had in mind when
they jockeyed for positions in Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus affirmed that, indeed, they
would sit on thrones, but the route to those desired positions would be via self-
less sacrifice. On route to their thrones, the disciples would have to embrace the
tools of servanthood. By assuming the lowly position of a household servant,