Servant leadership.

One of the many paradoxes of Christianity. And like the other paradoxes it is often misunderstood. After all, how can one be a leader and a servant at the same time in any given situation? So, because of all the confusion, sadly, we've simplified the term "servant leadership" to equal Christian leadership. We say that a Christian leader is a servant, but he does nothing that a servant would do. We say that a Christian leader serves, but often he is the one being served. Because the change of attitude and action is too difficult to comprehend and accomplish, we settle for a mere change of semantics. The result? A lot of Christians clamoring to become "servants." This is my story.

But who likes being treated like a servant? No, I'm not talking about servanthood as being nice to somebody. Or taking care of logistics. Or feeding the hungry. Or anything else we say is servanthood.

One huge thing I've learned in my time here is that servant leadership is a heavy burden to carry. We all desire to be "servants" until we are treated like one. It is then, when we hit a crossroads... a crossroads where we choose to follow Christ and take the narrow road to servanthood, or hold on to our rights and stick up for ourselves... the road well traveled. The road I've chosen all too often and still continue to choose to my regret.

We, Christians throw the terms "serve" and "servant" all too carelessly. It has gotten to a point where the words hold little to no meaning anymore... at least in accordance to its intended meaning. I wonder, would we still clamor if it were termed slave leadership?

Mark 10:35-45