It's about 3 weeks to go till I head to Africa. I am excited and I am eager to see what God has in store for us.
I have been slowly getting to know some of the other team members who are coming with us from Caronport. I love their exuberance and it feeds my own anticipation. God has been faithful regarding my support and to date I have only $800 left to go. God is SO good!!
One of my favourite musicians is Larry Norman and one of his songs is called "I Am A Servant" it's kind of a lament of one waiting to be used by God. As I think about what God is wanting me to share with my African brothers I am continuing to be impressed to speak about REAL servant leadership. We here in the western church throw this phrase out there and maybe even give ourselves kudos for how much we as church leaders are “serving”. I put serving in quotes intentionally because it seems to me that I as a church leader have said that but only in terms of being employed to do a job. And I have even been guilty of using ‘serving’ as a gentle “stick” to help compel people to be involved in the ministry of the church. The servant hood that Jesus calls each of us to seems to be a bit different both in its motivations and in its action. In fact I don’t think Jesus ever teaches on leadership! He almost turns things upside down! The Way of Jesus seems to ask US to pursue servant hood, we should do so, motivated by love. Even to the extent of serving (loving) our enemies. So if I am interested in following Jesus way, I must serve, and to not even consider significant leadership something to be grasped but become a servant even if it costs me much… hard words to consider and even more significant to reckon the consequences of such a conviction. Perhaps some of these thoughts will be sharpened in Africa where I do indeed hope to serve. Jesus didn’t tech about leadership but boy did He ever live it! Am I, are we ready to follow His example?
