Servant leadership

Are you a Lord or a Servant?

The rule of the Popes and their supremacy and the claim to be the true church is one of the interesting ideas that Roman Catholics believe. It was in their time that apart from the Catholic Church men can't have salvation. It was in the power of the pope that they believe as the highest authority among the living. Popes during A.D 1050 - 1215 gained their power through monastic reform, crusades, and pope's leadership. Pope became wealthy and of great influence in the society and even in the state. They became authoritative and greedy for the position in which some of them bribe just to have the position. We can see a lot of wrong teachings as well as the wrong practice during that time. They have also wrong governance of the church. They thought that they were given the highest authority in the church.

Nowadays as we can see that it is still practiced that pope has the highest authority in the church. They are still practicing many wrong teachings and beliefs which contradicts the teaching that was written in the Bible. It was so sad knowing that they are so religious as well as dogmatic about their beliefs yet they are in the other side of the rope. Pope is above everyone but they don't know that everyone is equal.

I was pondering about this idea about “having power or supremacy”. It was so ironic that Jesus Christ is teaching his disciples then to be a servant of all. We can read it in Luke 22:25-27 it says, “…And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' "But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.…” It is very clear that Jesus Christ teaches his people not to lord over others yet He wants every believer and especially leaders to be a servant of all. It was so interesting to know that God wants us being servant not as Lord. This is also a great reminder to all of us who are in the position that we should practice servant leadership as what Christ has done. Meaning what was practiced by the pope at that time was not servant leadership but rather lording over others. We know that people don't want to be a servant a sad but true to almost leaders but it should be obeyed and displayed that the greatest and biblical leadership is being a servant. Think about your leadership style today, are you a Lord over others or a servant of everyone? Is your leadership biblical or just a result of what was being practice? You have to make a right decision by following God's ideal leadership style.