There seems to be a difference between positions of authority and power. When one focuses on their position, they believe that their followers and enviornment exist to serve them and there's no real power, just rules and regulations to keep everybody in line. Then there are those who believe they exist to serve their community, become deeply connected with their followers and thus exhibit real power for change and transformation.
Jesus seemed to prefer leading without a title, with the exception of "Son of Man". He knew how to connect with people and in turn they gave him "permission" to lead them. I call that "permission leadership" and frankly for those of you doing the missional community gig, its all you got. You have no position of authority, but if you love the people, if you serve them, if you cry out to God on behalf of them, if you confront the Enemy with some conviction, they may give you permission to lead them and the community.
"If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care - then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." -Philippians 2 (The Message)
As people of the Kingdom, we do not seek positions of authority on this present earth. No, we lead from the back of the line. We seek to become irrelevant so that we can finally love our neighbor. And as we seek to serve first, we partner w/ God in his Creation of a new Heaven and a new Earth. It is coming and we are a part of that process. So come Lord Jesus in our servanthood today, come and teach us how to become irrelevant and thus truly powerful. Then every moment becomes pregant with the possibility of Kingdom Come.
peace,
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Quite worthwhile information, lots of thanks for your post.
Post a Comment