We are endeavoring as a deacon leadership team to study out what spiritual leadership looks like for men with the official position of "servant" (diakonos = servant in Grk = deacon in Eng). If, as we contend, from a Scriptural analysis, deacon is a position of service and not decision making, then what does that kind of servant look like? I propose that deaconing (to verbalize the noun) must mimic Jesus' example of service. So, literally, our question becomes how would Jesus be a deacon? Good question! :)
From our "reading through the Bible" (RTB) passage for today (Matt. 12:15-21) Jesus gives us some insight through His own actions and an Old Testament quote.
Jesus ministered to the needs of people, avoided grandstanding, and ignored the baiting of his adversaries (12:15-16). His service was intended to bring an awareness of God's power without show. He didn't do the miracles to draw attention to Himself (although that would not have been a bad thing -- cf. Phil 2:6). Instead, He cared for people, bringing God's power to bear on their lives and giving them personal hope and encouragement. His goal was to minister to people, not build a following. He refused to be stymied by the Pharisees telling Him (God in flesh, dwelling among them) what was an "approved" work. He did instead the work of the Father, Who had sent Him. That work was to care for people -- sometimes physically, sometimes emotionally, sometimes spiritually, always without a string attached.
The Old Testament quote is from Isaiah 42:1-4. Matthew claims that Jesus fulfilled this description of God's servant perfectly. Matthew was, in fact, claiming that Jesus was the Servant, par excellance, the Messiah. The description of God's Servant is: one who has been chosen by God, who is loved by God, who delights God, who is filled with the Spirit, who proclaims justice to the nations, and who does not quarrel. While these characteristics were applied to the Messiah, Jesus, we ought to strive to mimic them in our world today, that the nations may hear and believe! The Servant of Isaiah's prophecy has come and He has reproduced/birthed a chosen people, a group of royal priests, a holy nation, and a people of God (1 Peter 2:9). We, as spiritual leaders, must serve as ambassadors (representatives) of Christ and live in such a way that we bear the message of truth to a lost and dying world. Remember, we now have the mind of Christ!
So we have an excellent example of spiritual leadership already laid out for us to follow. the choice really comes down to whether or not we WILL FOLLLOW or whether we will choose the business model instead. Will you join me in praying for your spiritual leaders at TaB (or the ones at your church if you aren't a TaBber)?
1. If we are to be servants, after the order of Jesus, how should we behave and minister?
2. If we are following Christ's example and we are confronted by others, what should our response be?
3. What should our goal as servants be? Does it have anything to do with bigger congregations or buildings or budgets?
4. What one area of service have I made about "bigger" rather than "better"?
5. If put alongside Jesus, how would my servanthood match up with His Servanthood?
6. What is my prayer request following this evaluation?
