Elders: defined by humility
While there is much that could still be said about the biblical expectations of elders, we have covered a lot of ground. We've looked at the four responsibilities of an elder, their calling, and the internal and external qualifications that are listed in the Bible. We've talked about the partnership of their spouse as they lead. We're going to close with one last overarching character trait that can summarize what an elder should exemplify. That trait is humility.
Humility is choosing to focus on the needs of others and using your physical, intellectual, financial, structural power, and influence to bring about God's good desires for them.
Simply put, humility is honoring God by choosing to serve others.
Humility is essential to being a leader of God's family. When two of Jesus' followers asked to be given the highest places of honor in the kingdom of God, Jesus responded to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45) Jesus said that if you want to lead, you must be a servant and a slave.
Later, when Paul writes to the church in Philippi, he is dealing with a church that is experiencing some internal conflict with two of its leaders. He responds by telling them that they should be a group of people who are united in spirit, loving each other well, and putting each other's needs before their own. He then points them to the example of Jesus. Jesus, the greatest leader in all of human history, is characterized by three major phrases in Philippians 2. These phrases are emptied himself, became a servant, and served by dying on a cross for others.
Jesus emptied himself
Throughout Christian history there has been debate as to what this phrase meant. Did Jesus cease to be God when he became a man? Did he give up his heavenly power? A careful look at the original language and the context of the rest of the passage answers “no”. Jesus remained God and added humanity to his person. Not subtraction, but addition.
The best interpretation would be that Jesus chose to give up the rights and reputation he deserved as God.
He deserved worship, obedience, and to be served. This is contrasted with the word “kenodoxia” which is translated as "vain conceit" earlier in the passage. That word literally means “empty of glory”.
Humanity is seeking glory, and because they are empty, they seek power over others.
Jesus is full of glory, yet chooses not to seek his own glory, and instead serves others.
For us as leaders, the temptation to seek a leadership position can be a desire for glory. Sometimes we're seeking the chance to have the reputation as someone important. If we look at Jesus’ example, he was secure in his value and his significance. He did not need a position in order to lead. He did not worry about his reputation with people because people did not determine his worth. When a person is secure in their value to God and when they are serving others out of love, they will have influence to lead people, regardless of whether they have a title or position. 2.
2. He took the form of a servant
Much like in ancient times, we all want to be served, not to serve. Everything in our society is targeted at helping us get what we want, when we want it. Is there something on Amazon you want? You can get it two days later. Don't have the money to buy it? It doesn't matter, because you can get a credit card.
Service is something we expect, not something we strive for.
However, Jesus came and served us. Why? There were two reasons. First, he loved his father. Second, he loved us. He loved his father, and coming and serving was a way of showing the world that our God loves to meet our needs. Jesus also served because he loves us. He saw that without his help, we were helpless, lost, and hopeless. So he stepped out of heaven and stepped in to the earth and served us. He even washed feet. (John 13:1-17)
He said that no one is better than their master. So we are called to serve instead of being served.
As leaders, there is no job that is beneath us. Our job does not mean that we look for people to do what we think needs to be done. Jesus jumped in the middle of his disciples and worked alongside them. We model to others what we believe should be done in any given situation. The best servants are not looking to meet their own desires. They are watching their master and trying to anticipate what he wants in that moment.
As servants of Jesus, we need to have the humility to know the heart of Jesus, care about his people, and taking action, when we sense it will please our savior.
3. Served by dying on a cross
Sacrifice is part of the example that Jesus set as a servant leader. He saw that without his death, there could be no true life for us. Jesus laid down his life and was willing to die the most humiliating and socially unacceptable form of death possible in that era.
Those who lead the church will have to die.
At some point that may mean to physically die just like Jesus and many in the early church died. However, for those who are living in places where worshipping Jesus is still protected, we most often will have to die to selfishness.
My desire to serve instead of being served had to die. My desire to speak truth without grace must die. My desire to show grace, but never hold people accountable must die. My desire to be comfortable instead of dealing with conflict must die.
Following Jesus’ example, we must be willing to sacrifice our selfish desires to truly do what's best for his Church.
Pride: the enemy of humility and the killer of community
Now that we know what Christ's example of humility looks like and how it applies the leaders in a church, we need to be able to identify pride. Pride is able to hide itself in many ways, so it's important to be able to clearly see it and get to the root of it.
Tim Keller, in his sermon on Philippians 2 summarizes Jonathan Edwards’ descriptions of pride.
Edwards says that pride manifests itself in 4 ways: being driven, scornfulness, willfulness, and consciousness.
Being driven: This characteristic is not always sinful. What makes it sinful is whether it is driven by competition against others or because of a need to be seen. It is sinful when a person is looking at others and feel that they have to be the best so that they can feel good about themselves. They may also have a deep sense of inadequacy that needs the praise and applause of others in order to experience temporary relief of their internal emotional hunger. One way to identify if someone who is driven is not being sinful is whether they can take true joy in the victories of others.
Scornfulness: Scornfulness is when we look down on others from a position of superiority. It is usually expressed verbally. When done in an active way, it comes out as mocking and tearing others down. When it is done in a passive way, it is usually done through sarcasm. There is a famous quote from William Shakespeare that goes, "Many a truth is spoken in jest." People often hide their scornfulness with sarcasm or by giving people nicknames that are derogatory.
Willfulness: Willfulness is when someone is unable to admit when they are wrong. They are thoroughly convinced that their way is the only right way. They have a difficult time receiving instruction, and never seem to apologize. In the church, they are usually able to find a justification for their behavior by using a verse out of the Bible. Another way to describe a willful person is that they tend to be unteachable.
Self-consciousness: Finally, self-consciousness is when someone is too preoccupied with how they perceive themselves in comparison with everyone else. Again, this is the pride of comparing ourselves to others. It keeps us focused on who we believe we are or should be, instead of focusing on pleasing Jesus and serving others. Rick Warren says that humility is not being selfless. Humility is thinking of your self less.
Where there is conflict in the church, look for pride. Look for it in the leaders. Look for it in those who are refusing to be led. A healthy church is one where pride is identified and confronted. It is also a church that has a habit of regularly confessing and repenting.
Confessing and repenting
Until Jesus comes back and removes all sin from this world and from the human heart, we will need to verbally confess when we have been prideful. Confession is a spiritual discipline that leads to humility. When we have to say out loud and name how we have been prideful, it starts to kill our pride. Pride can no longer hide in the dark or behind excuses and is exposed to the community so that it can be dealt with. Additionally, confession must lead to repentance.
Repentance is the action of turning away from pride, moving toward humility. It means that we behave differently. We ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the things we are using to give ourselves glory. Repentance means asking other leaders to hold us accountable and point out when they see our pride rearing its ugly head.
The reoccurring questions that need to be asked of anyone who is leading or wants to lead are these:
Does this person admit when they have been wrong? Or is it a rare occurrence and only under certain circumstances and pressure?
Does this person show the same kind of humility and service that Jesus showed when he was here on earth?
