This is a devotion I gave at the Leadership Appreciation Dinner at Beaumont Baptist Church:

The man was walking on ahead – leading the way.

He was a pilgrim and this journey had begun along the shores of the dead sea.  There at 1,300 feet below sea level He gazed up from the lowest point on the face of the earth to His destination the top of Mount Zion, the mountain of God.  It was an elevation approximately the same as from sea level to the top of Mount Mitchel in NC.

Slowly He began making His way uphill. It’s a dry and dusty land where few plants could survive the desert heat. Often the path is narrow as it winds its way through the rocks bleached white from the desert sun.

As He walked steadily uphill, He lifted He eyes.  He was going to Jerusalem – to Calvary.  He led the way as the disciples followed behind.  He chose the path, leading in prayer, knowing where the road was heading. 

He was a leader.  He was THE leader. He was the ONLY leader.

And He still is today!

What a great image of church leadership.

Jesus, the lone man, out in front leading His church.

And the disciples, a plurality of leaders, following behind working together in harmony using their gift and abilities to serve God following the leading of their Lord.

But the scene abruptly changes!

2 of the disciples had the audacity to approach Jesus full of personal ambition, and the arrogance to do it in front of the other 10.

James and John came to Jesus asking him if they could sit at His right and left hand.

In doing so I believe they made 2 Critical Mistakes.

First, they said “We Want”

They said to Jesus, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

Church Leadership is not about what I Want, or what We Want.

It is about what God Wants.

We need to ask, “Lord what do you want for this church?”

Billy Graham once said, “Instead of asking God to bless your plans, ask Him instead to show you His plans, and then give you the strength to follow them.”

Second, they said “We are Able”

But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to Him, “We are able.”

James & John had yet to learn that no one is able to lead God’s Church but God Alone.

Here in this passage Jesus reveals their ignorance by plainly telling them, “You do not know what you are asking for.” Then he simply ignores their pride and explains how Godly Leadership is to be different.

And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not to be so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45

The Gentiles rule with authority lording it over their subjects.

But Godly Leaders are to be servants, the slave of all.

There is a picture that all of us in America are familiar with and to a large extent it defines our view of leadership today.  It is an image of a scene from the Revolutionary War and hangs today in the West Wing of the White House.  The image depicts late in the evening on Christmas Day 1776 when General George Washington leads his troops across the Delaware river.  There is George Washington, full of confidence and courage standing at the front of the boat. And he is surrounded by his men seated in the boat with a look of bewilderment and fear on their faces.

That is our image of leadership – One man full of full of confidence and courage leading others afraid and who have no clue where they are going.

But you see, I believe true Biblical Leadership is best portrayed in yet another painting from that same Revolutionary War depicting an event a year later. During the harsh winter of 1777-78 General George Washington and his troops were at Valley Forge. And there is a painting that hangs today in Washington’s home at Mount Vernon.  The picture shows the snow-covered valley with snow and ice hanging on the trees.  There in the picture is George Washington’s horse and in full dress uniform General Washington is kneeling in prayer next to his horse seeking God’s guidance and direction.

God’s Leaders lead from their knees, serving those they lead – not lording it over them.  Working together in Harmony with one another. Following the leading of Jesus Christ to minister to those entrusted to them.

This is my challenge to you today for the coming year, that you will lead in Prayer.

That you will pray for one another, pray for those you minister to, and most importantly pray for God’s guidance and direction to do what He wants for this church and the ministry you are to lead.  

In the book of 2^nd Samuel we read the last words spoken by King David.

Now these are the last words of David.

‘He who rules over men righteously,

Who rules in the fear of God,

Is as the light of the morning when the sun rises,

A morning without clouds,

When the tender grass springs out of the earth,

Through sunshine after rain.’
2 Samuel 23:3-4

What a wonderful picture David paints of a Righteous Leader:

The cool crisp morning air as the sun begins to fill the sky, the clean smell after the night rain, encouraging new life like the tender blades grass.

It is my desire and hope for Beaumont, and I want to encourage you, that your leadership will be like a Breath of Fresh Air to those you serve, and new growth will spring forth from your ministry.

Let us Pray;

Most gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for the many people willing to serve you in various leadership roles in this church.  Like the prophet Isaiah of old said when he overheard you asking, “whom shall I send who will go for us.” They responded, “Here am I use me.”

We pray dear Lord that we will truly know and understand that we can never lead this church in our own power, in our own strength, in our own might, but only by Your Spirit. May Your Sprit flow freely in and through us in a powerful way to allow us to accomplish all that you have planned for us.

Dear Father, we ask that you lead this church, and guide and direct all the Ministry Leaders and inspire them to work together in harmony to accomplish your vision and your goals for us.

In the precious name of your son Jesus we pray these things.  Amen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download