Where Have All the Servants Gone?

Leaders are sometimes trapped into thinking that church life is all about them. I had fallen into that trap of believing I was the most important person in the congregation and that people needed to follow me. Andy Stanley says, “If your leadership isn’t all about you, it will live beyond you.” We might be asked to lead, but whom we will follow is our decision. If I, as leader, follow my desires, my ministry is about me. If I, as leader, follow the King of Kings, it is all about serving others.

Does the church, as a whole, look at its clergy as its leaders or kings? Really ask yourself that question. I have wrestled with that for years now, and I believe Christians want a king. So what do we do with that? Do we try to change it? No, I do not think so. Saul tried to hide from the kingship, but the Israelites found him anyway. Church leaders need to understand their roles and responsibilities in the culture of the American church. Many Christians have told me that we should go back to having an “Acts 2 church.” That would be awesome, but are our congregations really ready to serve like the apostles and elders and deacons, and give everything they have to the local church? And then will they let the church give out all those resources so no one has a need? My congregation would not go for that. How about yours? No, congregations generally are fine with a God tax, which many in the United States don’t pay. And they’re happy with a king to lead them with inspiring words once or twice a week. Their king will fight the battles and wage war with the enemy while they go about their lives and volunteer where they can. Now, I am not mad at church people or frustrated with the way things are in the American church. I just think we need a eye-opening reality check. Without it we cannot create a vision for the future.