In the early days of our church ministry, we had a young man in church who did not like to do menial things. Anytime such work was assigned to him, he would call on any younger person in church to do it. I took note of his attitude and tried to correct him, but he wouldn’t listen. I was not surprised that he didn’t go far. He failed to realise that real leaders serve.
Friend, real leaders serve. Leadership is not seen in title or position. It is in service (Luke 22:24-27). The purpose of leadership positions is to have a better platform and opportunity to serve more people. If a position hinders you from serving, then you need to get out of that position (Matthew 23:1-7).
Notice the responses of the olive tree, fig tree, and the vine to leadership position, and you would appreciate the need to prioritise service above position (Judges 9:8-15). The reason some people desire a position is because of personal agrandizement. It is to oppress people, not to serve people. If you really want to serve, there are countless opportunities to do so (Acts 13:36).
Why do some people want to be given platforms to preach or sing in churches today? It is not because they want to bless people. It is because they want to be seen. There are people in various places hungry for God’s word, yet people would not seize the opportunity to go to such places (Matthew 9:35-38). Rather, they are jostling for positions and visibility in church. If you cannot do it in obscurity, you don’t really want to do it (Matthew 23:5).
You need to prove your leadership ability when you are not in the spotlight. You need to prove that you genuinely love and care for people when there is nothing in there for you (Philippians 2:5-11). This was why David stood out in his day. He served when there was no applause. He served when nobody was watching. The Bible recorded that he led God’s people with the integrity of his heart and the skillfulness of his hands (Psalms 78:70-72). What about you?
Like the young man in our opening story, are you comfortable doing menial things, or do you consider it belittling to your status (2 Kings 3:11, John 13:3-5)? Do you see working in the background as something detestable? If you are in a leadership position, what do you use such to do? Is it to oppress or lift people? As a pastor, are you using the plafrom to serve or to be served (1 Peter 5:1-4)? As a husband, are you using your position to love and protect your wife or to oppress her (Ephesians 5:25-29)? It is not the position that makes the leader. It is the service that does. Are you a real leader?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria