If you were to advertise in the classified section of a newspaper in search of a leader, what qualifications would you ask for? Knowledge? People skills? Ability to assume and maintain control?
One person suggested the following classifieds ad:
HELP WANTED: SERVANT—Someone to do the often undesirable work for the sake of others. Needs strong sense of [worth] in God’s eyes and true compassion for others. Must be personally acquainted with the greatest Servant of all in order to continue his training. Work requires being on call 24 hours a day to meet needs of family, friends, and even strangers. Must be willing to give up his rights—no experience necessary—job begins today, right where you are.
Yes, leaders must continually grow in a wide variety of skills, but the baseline of spiritual leadership is a servant’s heart. Without it, no other skills will produce eternal fruit.
Our tendency is to want to be served far more than wanting to serve others. Yet Jesus Himself said, “…the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Could you answer an ad for a servant?
