Leadership

   The scripture this morning was in John 13, the portion where Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. He tells them that this is an example of what a servant-leader looks like. Not a tyrant, not even a person who just tells others what to do, but one who is willing to take on the form of a servant in order to show true leadership.

   My kids often referred to their dad as a C.L. (Community Leader). It was a kind of joke around the house when this was used, because we all knew that I was far from that. Opportunities came my way to lead, in the business world, the civic arena, school, athletics and the church, but I believe that I never did grasp the idea of servant-leadership until we moved to St. Simons and were involved in the beginning of a new church.

   Everybody served. We set up chairs for church, we broke down chairs after the service in the school cafeteria, we cleaned, we parked cars, we greeted. In short, there were a lot of things that needed to be done, and everybody pitched in.

   By virtue of my job as church treasurer, I was asked to serve on the executive committee, before we had a formal elder board. When the exec. committee became the elder board, there I was in a position of church leadership. I found much more joy in the servant role than in any kind of ecclesiastical status. I always felt that if people saw the elders parking cars, or standing out in the lot in the rain holding umbrellas over mothers and kids, they would at least think that we were serious about "doing church".

   So where can I show that kind of leadership now? In my home with my wife, with my kids and grand kids when we are together, at church when something needs to be done, or just in the community when someone needs to stand up for right.

   I probably missed a lot of chances to show this kind of leadership over the years, but I do want to get it right in the time that I might have left.

   As always, I pray for help.