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Christianity Today, November (Web-only), 2008 |

SoulWork

The Leadership Cult

Why are we fascinated with the very thing Jesus warned us against?

Mark Galli | posted 11/13/2008 09:33AM

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But of course, this is hogwash. Jesus knew that his followers would be tempted by this lie, so right at the beginning he told them, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you" (Mark 10:42-43). And we reply, "Yeah, yeah, but what about all that leadership potential I've been told I had?" And off we go to another seminar to learn about another six steps to effective leadership. Servant leadership, of course.

Leadership is one of the gifts of the Spirit, to be sure. So we are wise to pay some attention to it. We certainly need leaders who wisely exercise authority among us — which is why we need magazines like Leadership. And make no mistake: While Christian leadership is partly about service, it would not be leadership if it wasn't also about wielding authority. But such leadership is but only one of the gifts. And it's not by any means the most important. Any man or woman who imagines otherwise is, to not put too fine of a point on it, a fool. When it comes to spiritual gifts, St. Paul never suggests that is it something one should strive for — he thinks prophecy is much more important (1 Cor. 14:1). And when Jesus talks about the topic, he tells his followers to reorient their priorities completely: think less about leadership and more about servanthood.

Despite Jesus' strong and clear words, today you won't find many servanthood institutes — how many people would make inquiries of the Galli Institute for Sacrificial and Inconspicuous Service? Few are going to be able to make a career out of leading seminars and writing books that explain the seven principles for giving yourself away in humble acts of love. And you won't find many pastors who subscribe to Servanthood journal, or college presidents who say that they long to "raise up servants for the next generation."

And we wonder why an unbelieving world looks at the church and sees just another Disney Institute.

Mark Galli is senior managing editor of Christianity Today. Mark replies to comments here and on his blog.

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Previous SoulWork columns are available on our site.

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Tom	Posted: November 18, 2008 9:28 AM

Excellent article. Long before the disciples became leaders, Jesus taught them to serve. I think it is hard to find "leadership" lessons in the Gospels. There are numerous "followship" lessons. Those early followers under the anointing of the Holy Spirit started a movement. Today's leaders build great organizations but I have not seen a recent movement of multiplying disciples. Perhaps we need to change our aspirations.

Chris

Posted: November 17, 2008 11:21 AM

I am an officer in the US Army with over 16 years of service now, so I believe I am qualified to comment on leadership. I whole heartly agree with Mr. Galli's article! I often see Christians treat the Church as just another organization. In large churches the lead pastor is about leading the leaders. Matt 20:27 says ". . . and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." My job is all about leading, I have lead Soldiers at many levels, but those Christians who have made the most impact on my life have been Servants. They are not the powerful people who make decisions, they are the ones who will get down on their hands and knees and scrub the toilets because it needs to be done. They don't seek praise and they don't look for a pat on the back to know they are doing God's work. We don't need more leaders in the Church we need more Servants! God bless you and thank you.

Barth

Posted: November 17, 2008 9:58 AM


I could be wrong but isn't all of this fixation on leadership originating from 'market driven churches' where the pastor is a CEO?

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