Spiritual Leaders v.s. Slaves of Jesus

"If you think you're a true leader then look behind you to see who is following. If no one is there, then you're no leader at all!"

I wonder how Jesus would have repsonded to that statement near the end of His life when everyone had abaondoned Him! Truth is, throughout the past few years, I've heard a number of alarming statements like these, made by sincere and godly people who honestly think that Jesus' only desire for us is to go out into the world and become "more effective ministry leaders." "Leadership" itself is a buzzword I hear all the time. The word can be found in purpose statement's, sermons, books, discussions, classes, etc. Supposedly, God has created every single individual with the one purpose or goal of become a more effective ministry leader. What I would like to propose is that 1) "leadership" as defined by many evangelicals today is nothing more than a modern construct imposed upon the Bible. "Leadership" is not a category found within the pages of the New Testament. Nehemiah is not a leadership manual, given to Christians so that they can become their own version of the world's CEO's and businessmen.

Pastor's, instead of tirelessly attempting to transform their church's into "more effective spiritual leaders" need to be teaching their church's about the beauty of Jesus' Lordship and our position as subjects and slaves to His Kingly rule and Priestly intercession. The modern world heavily emphasizes this concept of leadership as necessary and important. Donald Trump's popular show The Apprentice is a visible example of how many peoples' lives are supremely devoted to making it to the top and becoming succesful CEO's, businessmen, and millionaires. In our highly industrialized and utilitarian society, leadership is an important role. Businesses have to be run, money has to be made, and projects have to be completed. It is my contention that this huge emphasis on leadership and control within our culture has infected the church. Some people I know cannot distinguish between biblical teaching and modernity's death grip, lumping this secular idea of leadership into the same category of biblical teaching. Don't get me wrong: leadership properly defined is indeed Biblical. Pastors, Elders, Bishops, (whatever you prefer) are all called to lead the flock of God and to shepherd them tenderly until the bridegroom returns for His bide. Husbands, as a visible representations of Jesus, are commanded to humbly lead their wives in marriage. Yet what many people fail to realize is that every sheep in God's eyes, both pastor and laymen, husband and wife, deacon and sunday school teacher, worship pastor and teenager, are subject to His Lordship and are called to serve, love, worship, and obey the King who rules in their hearts and minds. Is there an emphasis on leadership in the Bible? If leadership is properly defined, yes. Are other more important concepts, insufficiently emphasized in today's church, explicitly and radically emphasized by the writers of the Bible? Absolutely! God has called some to serve in positions of leadership, yes. Yet I will say this. This non-sensical modern babble which states that the purpose of every Christian is to become a "more effective ministry leader" detracts from the glory of Christ, and instills a sinful and self-centered confidence in our abilities and skills to "lead." The New Testament never specifically calls all Christians to become "leaders" I can't help but think that if Jesus Christ were to have seen his disciples carrying around "Leadership Study Bibles", his reaction might have been similar to his reaction to the apostasy which took place in the temple. God calls us to be slaves of Jesus, not Christian businessmen who parade around talking about the latest leadership techniques. God calls us to be the subjects of His Son, not people who call themselves Christians yet scour the latest secular business manual for tips which can "transcend" the secular/religious divide. No, God has declared Jesus Christ our only sovereign leader, who sits and reigns in the heavens even now, ruling and reigning within the hearts of His flock. He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Ressurection and the Life, the Glorious Leader-King who has purchased us with His blood, and who calls us to worship daily at His feet, basking in the beauty of His divine person. We're called to be slaves of Jesus (Rom. 6) not "spiritual leaders."