Parable 15 - Servant Leader

Stephanie said to Rena one day at school, “Just back off.”

“What are you talking about?” responded Rena. “If anyone needs to back off, it’s you.”

Stephanie stood up straight and said, “It just feels like we are in a constant battle over who gets to lead the Politics and Government Club. You don’t agree with anything I say.”

Rena scratched her head as she listened to Stephanie. She let out a sigh. It wasn’t easy being co-chair with Stephanie. From Rena’s perspective, her partner wanted credit for everything being done but didn’t want to do any of the work. Not to mention, any time something went wrong, Stephanie was quick to blame other people or circumstances. Rena couldn’t remember a time when Stephanie ever acknowledged or apologized for her bad decisions.

Rena said, “You’re the one who decided we should move our meetings to Saturday mornings. I told you I didn’t think it was a good idea, that after school on Thursdays was more convenient for our members. But I went along with your plan. I bought the donuts. I got the drinks. I convinced Miss Hughes, our advisor, to join us. I made phone calls and sent texts. And somehow, when almost nobody showed up, it’s my fault.”

“Obviously, it’s your fault,” Stephanie said. “You sent the texts and made the phone calls and nobody showed up. You’re ineffective. I’m a senior, and you’re just a junior, but you won’t let me lead to make this club better than it’s ever been. Why don’t you drop out so I can lead properly?”

Rena quietly laughed. The club had bylaws which stated there would always be two leaders, and they had to be in different classes. “I can’t drop out, or another underclass person will have to take my place. But go ahead, if you want, and make all the decisions, and I’ll follow your lead.”

Now Stephanie laughed. “I need workers, not yes people.”

Meditation

I doubt Jesus was talking about high school when he instructed the apostles not to seek the glory of leadership, but to be a servant leader. We can see in today’s story about Rena and Stephanie that the desire to be a leader can easily lead to confrontation.

Jesus insists that we lead by serving others, that we don’t lord authority over others.

This is true whether we are talking about high school, the boardroom, or your household.

Wherever we are, leadership is important.

As you reflect on your own life, no doubt there have been some leaders who inspired you and some who disappointed you. It is usually easier for us to evaluate others, but the gospel today is inviting us to choose the way we are to act. We get to decide what kind of a leader we want to be. Even though many of us are recognized as leaders, from a wider perspective each one of us is a leader. Jesus is talking to me and to you.

Lent is a great opportunity to spend time reflecting on your style of leadership. Go ahead, school yourself to a higher standard.

Water the seed and ask yourself...

What are my opportunities for servant leadership?