Liba Hopeson
Senapati
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at a Discipleship Training Camp. In such camps, we often teach about servant leadership, but a question has been lingering in my mind: Do we genuinely walk the talk? Do we live out the servant leader lifestyle? My co-speaker at the camp left a lasting impression on me. Even when it wasn’t her turn to lead sessions, she selflessly worked in the kitchen and assisted in serving the campers. The caretakers of the Retreat Centre were genuinely astonished to see her tirelessly working in the kitchen while also dedicating time to preaching. There was no pretense in her actions – just sincere, humble service.
It’s easy for a preacher to declare, “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45), yet living out this principle is challenging. Do people genuinely witness servant leadership in our churches today? What hinders us, as Christian ministers, from embodying the true essence of servant leadership? Perhaps the teaching that Christian leaders deserve double honor (1 Timothy 5:17) causes us to seek and demand respect rather than earning it through humble service to others. I’m not disputing the truth of this verse – it is undeniably true. However, in my preaching and teaching, I often emphasize that while it is crucial to understand and embrace what is written in the Bible, it is equally important not to read what is not there. What doesn’t the verse say? It does not instruct, encourage, or command Christian ministers to expect, seek, or demand honor.
Let those who need to apply this teaching embrace and focus on it. Of course, I’m not arguing that Christian leaders are well respected. Whether or not we are respected is not my concern in this write-up. I’m also not brushing off this teaching of Paul as insignificant. But my concern is that, as Christian ministers, we must focus on what is demanded of us. That is, but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave (Matthew 20:26-27). We must take these verses to heart and think less about 1 Timothy 5:17 because it is something we ought to apply in our lives and actions.
In many Christian programs, we participate in the symbolic act of washing each other’s feet. However, once these programs conclude, do we truly embody the spirit of humility and service in our daily lives? Are we approachable, willing to serve others with genuine humbleness? Too often, it seems we fail to internalize the profound lesson Jesus demonstrated when He washed His disciples’ feet. As John Stott observed in his writings, foot washing was the task of a slave, meant to teach us the essence of selfless service. Yet, I fear that for many of us, this act of humility remains confined to a ritual within a program rather than becoming a way of life.
Another reason I think Christian ministers struggle to embrace a servant lifestyle is our obsession with titles. Needless to specify, notably, two particular titles stand out – they are widely discussed and frequently sought after in our churches’ domain. Recently, while conversing with an author who is also an associate professor at one of the most prestigious universities in our country, I mentioned that I hadn’t seen any title preceding his name on the cover of his book, even though he could have included one. I jokingly remarked, “If you were a theologian, surely the title would have been mentioned.” He replied, “Titles are not for flaunting.” Do we, as Christian leaders, preachers, and teachers, use our titles to flaunt rather than to serve? It is a difficult truth to deny. Even during self-introductions, many Christian ministers mention their title before stating their name. The title is not our name. If we truly wish to add something, rather than using a prefix, we can opt for a suffix by adding the word Minister after our name, signifying a commitment to service.
Nowadays, even in the pursuit of higher theological studies, the primary focus seems to be on obtaining degrees and titles rather than on genuine learning and spiritual growth. I’m not suggesting that pursuing higher studies is futile or without value. But those who talk with me about the need for higher education mostly focus on societal trends and the honor that comes with a prestigious title. Only a few talk of pursuing higher education for the sake of learning. Are we drifting too far with the current of change? While I fully acknowledge the necessity of adapting to the changing times, not everything should be subject to change. Theological students and graduates frequently emphasize the importance of understanding context and remaining relevant to society. However, if we overemphasize relevance, we risk falling into the trap of the ‘Idol of Relevance’. Seeking relevancy can become our idol.
The Bible tells teaches that when selecting a leader, humans tend to focus on outward appearances, while God looks at the heart. In today’s world, people often prioritize degrees and titles when appointing individuals to roles in the church and ministry. However, I firmly believe that God still values the sincerity and condition of the heart above all else. I recently came across an advertisement from Police Union Baptist Church, Kohima, for the position of Women Leader. What caught my attention was the first listed qualification: “BA” – not Bachelor of Arts, but “Born Again”. The second requirement was a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th) or a higher theological degree. Today, we seem to take the first qualification of Police Union Baptist Church Kohima less seriously than we should.
Jesus rode on a donkey, symbolizing his role as a servant king. He humbled himself to wash his disciples’ feet, demonstrating true leadership through service. He fed the hungry, showing compassion for those in need. He healed the sick, even touching those deemed unclean and untouchable by society, breaking barriers or prejudice and exclusion. And He calls us to follow His example, walking in His footsteps of love, humility, and selfless service. As Christian preachers and teachers, we can lead by example, starting with something as simple as washing our own plates during church programs. Unfortunately, many churches do not permit this, even when we insist. Somehow, it has come to be seen as an unusual or inappropriate act for us, though in actuality it is not. However, we can change this perception. Perhaps we can establish a principle that we will always wash our own plates at every church gathering. In UESI programs, preachers are given the opportunity to wash their own plates, which is a commendable practice. Despite the abundance of water, many events today rely on paper plates. This trend likely stems from the desire to ease the workload of the host. However, if each attendee takes a moment to wash one’s own plate, it would significantly reduce the host’s burden while also conserving trees. After all, paper plates are made from paper pulp, which, though derived from renewable resources like wood, bamboo, or sugarcane, still contributes to deforestation and waste. Notably, we can begin by taking responsibility for washing our own dishes at home.
Servant leadership calls us to action in many ways, but one simple and meaningful step we can take is to serve those in need – the poor, the sick, the elderly, widows, orphans, and others who require our help. However, service is not just about action; our attitude matter just as much. We must examine our intentions. Are we serving for personal recognition, or are we doing it for the glory of God? True servant leadership is marked by selfless love and a heart devoted to honoring God through our deeds. At another recent Students’ Camp, I was deeply impressed by a fellow speaker who played a crucial role in every aspect of its organization. From arranging accommodations and managing the kitchen to handling marketing, he was tirelessly involved. During the camp, when students felt cold, he went door to door in the village, humbly requesting blankets and personally distributing them to those in need. His service was marked by genuine humility – free from any pretence or desire for recognition. It is no surprise that he chose to leave his prestigious position in the IFOS, secured through UPSC, to dedicate himself entirely to preaching, teaching and counseling.
I write this article fully aware that it may offend or unsettle some individuals, yet I feel a deep need to reconsider servant leadership and its practical application in our daily life. I do not write because I consider myself humble. Rather, I write because I recognize my own pride. I agree with C.S. Lewis that the first step toward humility is to think and recognize that we are proud. As Christian ministers, let us always remember that, even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Before you take any action, I encourage you to reflect on this simple yet profound test – the SAT – Servant Attitude Test: Once I step down from my current responsibility, will I feel uneasy or reluctant to use public transportation? Even now, if my personal vehicle breaks down and I have a very urgent work to attend to, will I feel uncomfortable or hesitant about taking an auto, bus, or any other form of transport? Take a moment to assess your mindset and honestly declare the result of your self-examination.
