Friends in Christ Weekly Message
October 18, 2003

     "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around," he said, "and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served - and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage."
Mark 10:42b-45 (Message*)

We're used to people throwing their weight around when they get power. When people are in positions of authority and leadership, they often seek to show they're of higher status than others, and expect others to serve them.

Jesus modeled and taught a very different approach to leadership. He went about meeting the needs of others. He responded to the poor and the outcast. He didn't have fashionable clothes, expensive jewelry or a plush office. The model he set for Christian leadership was one of servant leadership.

When put in a leadership position, may each one of us follow Christ's example of servant leadership. May we seek not the trappings of power, but rather how we can best serve others - including and perhaps even especially those who have low status in our society.

Bill Samuel

* The Message version ©2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.

Go to previous message

Chronological list of messages List of messages by scriptural references

Go to next message

Friends in Christ, Inc.
P.O. Box 9295
Silver Spring, MD 20916-9295
Voice mail (641) 715-3800 Access code 10949913#
E-mail fic@friendsinchrist.net

Home  Weekly Message  Bible Study groups  Site Map
Values  Who We Are  What People Say About Us
Open Worship  Using the Bible  Silence
Jesus Prayer  St. Patrick's Breastplate
Contact Us  Support Us

	Web www.friendsinchrist.net