The Business of Theological Education

I believe in education. I believe also in theological education. In fact, I believe in it so much that I have given up a lucrative career to pursue a theological degree. There is no better proof of my desire than where I choose to invest in. That is why, whenever I read about closure of Bible schools, downsizing of theological institutions and the demise of any institution offering theological education, I become sad.

Victims of the Economic Crisis
In the US and Canada, there has been several theological institutions that were forced to shut due to the lack of finance. Even the venerable Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has to shrink its bookstore, reduce commitments and let some staff go at the peak of the crisis. The crisis is global. It extends also to the British University, the University of Sheffield, which is famed for its Biblical Studies department. Founded by the late F F Bruce, the administration had wanted to close down the venerable department for good, due to financial viability, low student enrollment and especially after a mass departure of senior lecturers from the faculty. Fortunately, the closure has been averted, at least for now. For colleges that has been struggling with the balance sheet, the recent economic meltdown has dealt a fatal blow to its existence.

Any form of educational endeavor requires some sensible management skills as well. It is one thing to produce the best biblical scholarship to offer the world. It is yet another to find the money to support this cause. I am familiar with several theological institutions, in Asia, in Europe as well as in North America. There is a common denominator. More than 80% of the money needed to run the Bible colleges are funded by a meagre 20% or less. For some, the ratio is 90-10. For Salt Lake Bible College in Utah, it takes just one big donor to withdraw his financial commitment to shutter the whole place. For many others, it is due to dwindling student enrollment.

I find that often, people has mistaken naivety for faith. They think that as long as they operate on the basis of the right cause, they do not have to worry about the cost. 'The funds will come.' so they say. The question: "What if it doesn't?" In fact, asking this very question can make people accuse me of having no faith.

Faith-Based Ministries have a hard time distinguishing between living by faith and stewarding one's resources. There is a time in which I was impressed by people like George Mueller, who basically prayed and testified God's providence over all of the needs of his orphanages. Without stating publicly his dire needs, his ministry is filled with boundless testimonies of how money simply arrived at his doorsteps. When people read it, it is like a miracle happening through prayer alone. With each answered prayer, the man of faith grew in leaps and bounds to encourage other believers struggling to make ends meet. Is it possible that not everyone is called to do what George Mueller is doing? Is there then another way to exercise faith-based ministry? I believe there is. The difference is in terms of context. Mueller did what he knew best. In our modern era, we need to live in step with what God has given us. In an Internet age, where information is freely and quickly available to anyone with a network connection, ease of getting free information online threatens the traditional model of offering theological education offline. Online Bible classes are sprouting out all over the Internet like wild mushrooms. How then can traditional theological colleges survive the onslaught of free information available as long as anyone has free time? How can anyone live by faith when the whole world is living-by-free-stuff?

The Tri-Partite Solution
I believe that there is a need for 3 entities in any theological endeavor: the Belief, the Business and the Bridge.

1) THE BELIEF
This defines the identity, the vision, the mission and the calling of the theological institution. Without the cause, there is no reason to start a college. The artist, the academic and aspiring theologian will all connect with this common conviction. It is the very basis of being. It is this basic statement of faith that gives the college a unique identity, to draw people of diverse backgrounds toward one common cause. Take a look at these statement of faith:

MISSION (Regent-College)

"Pursuing attentiveness to what God is doing in the world, we are committed to a global perspective in our teaching and learning."

MISSION (GCTS)

"Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is an educational institution serving the Lord and His Church. Its mission is to prepare men and women for ministry at home and abroad."

MISSION (Cambridge, UK)

"The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence."

Just a brief comparison of the mission statements will indicate to us where the specific emphases each institution represents. Regent-College is more concerned with worldview formation. Gordon-Conwell emphasizes ministry work. Cambridge desires to offer the highest level of excellence in all branches of education to society. Having a specific mission statement helps the stranger to understand what the institution stands for and its unique placement in society. In order to spearhead the institution forward, there need to be committed teachers, faithful givers, sufficient administrative structure as well as students. All of them has to be committed to this common cause. Otherwise, why should people fly all the way there from all over the world? Why not simply plump for the nearest neighborhood school for one's theological exposure?

2) THE BUSINESS
While it is an honorable goal to pursue causes, there is also a need to exercise wise stewardship and responsibility. For example, it does not make sense to maintain an organization of 100 people to serve a student population of 100. Likewise, it is hard to justify flying in an expensive professor and then offer his classes away cheaply, even for free. There is always a minimum price-tag, even for non-profits. Some places pass down the costs directly to students. I know of many students who struggle from semester to semester to pay off their school fees. Some have to resort to dropping Summer classes so as to earn some money to pay for the tuition during the normal Fall and Winter terms. Scholarships and bursaries are sometimes available, but are usually insufficient to pay for all of the students' monthly expenses.

The economic downturn of the business may have hit many institution's faithful givers. What is worrying is not this group of people. It is the fact that the younger generation comprises only a small fraction of the previous generation's appetite for giving. From statistical studies on giving, the majority of big givers are among the Baby Boomer generation (people born after WWII.) After them comes the Gen X and Gen Y, who practically lived through believing that this is a culture of entitlement rather than faithful giving. In a ChristianityToday article entitled, "Scrooge Lives!" not only are the numbers of givers decreasing, they are also giving less. In the article, there is a perceptive comment that:

"In addition, America's biggest givers—as a percentage of their income—are its lowest income earners." (CT, Dec 2008)

Does this mean that there are less poorer people entering the church? Or does it mean that more wealthy people are overwhelming the church with their stinginess? We need to continue to educate people on the business of giving. In our Internet age, where people even need to be coaxed into receiving freebies, the task of communicating the need to be generous is even more important. The rich and the not so rich cannot presume each other's level of giving. They are accountable first to God.

There is one thing that I learned in my early years in business. The way to make money is not only in cutting cost. It is increasing revenue. While theological institutions can wisely steward what they already have or are promised, they need to do more than simply manage funding. They too have to educate people on the business of giving. In fact, giving in itself is an act of worship to God. They have to play their part in showing the Christian public that giving is not simply a handout. It is an attitude, and reflects how much one loves God. Giving away money is solid proof that money is not an idol. This presents another opportunity for ALL theological institutes to be mindful of. Solicit funds not just for self, but for the whole people of God. This educating of 'giving-as-an-attitude' ought to be part of the business of the theological college.

3) THE BRIDGE
I was commenting on a friend's blog a few days ago, about the need to balance both art and business. Both feeds off each other. Without the art, business has nothing to spend its money on. Without basic business sense, art will run out of resources to operate. There is a third component, one that is able to bridge the understanding of the two. I call this the bridge. With the presence of a bridge, the artist can periodically cross over to see the businessperson's point of view. Likewise, the businessperson can regularly make a trip to the artistic world and see the significance of his investment. This bridge can be in the form of seminars, conferences or any opportunity to meet. It is also highly recommended that such bridges be built from within the artist population as well as the business population. Have training for both entities. Have regular interaction among them to ensure that each is aware of their unique contributions to the overall thrust of the institution.

FINAL COMMENTS
In summary, we need the three components to be working together for the survival and flourishing of any theological educational endeavor. We need a BELIEF that unites all toward a common cause in the name of Christ. We need a BUSINESS model of understanding that does not only concern themselves with wise stewardship or constantly nipping at the heels of a handful of regular big donors. We need to grow a teaching arm of giving-as-an-attitude or giving as a profound kind of spirituality that transcends all generations. The BELIEF may kick-start a theological enterprise, but it takes a viable BUSINESS model to sustain itself into the future. In order to keep all working together in commitment and passion, we need BRIDGEs to inform one another of the different outlook pertaining to this common cause.

Of course, what I am writing here is nothing really new. Except that we all needed reminders in one way or another. Theological education is not simply studying theology. There is a business involved. There is also the need to bridge with the Church and Christians in the world. Without this bridge, when the money runs out, the artist and the theologian's work ceases. Without this bridge, when the creativity and talent expires, the businessperson finds one less avenue for investing and for giving to. Without this bridge, instead of studying the history of Christianity and the various theological disciplines through the ages, our modern 'theological education' as we now know may very well find themselves extinct.

ks

Conference: "Renewing the Evangelical Mission"

[Photo Credit: Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary]

This conference is truly a big one. I have heard at least 4 of them (Packer, Noll, Volf and Winner) speak at Regent-College before and testify that they have a message, and powerful ones. The conference is held in honor of Dr David Wells, another well-known professor at Gordon-Conwell.

If you are around the Boston area, schedule this in. More details here.


ks

Andrew Widman (1978-2008)

This morning, I woke up with a shock from news about a former seminarian. A former missionary to Thailand, and a graduate of Gordon-Conwell, he felt a call to become a police officer and was completed his police academy training in September 2007. At a tender age of 30, he was killed in the line of duty as a police officer in Fort Myers, FL. He was not fighting a military war. He was not entering into to any gangland neighbourhood. He was simply trying to break up a domestic violence in the community that he was serving in. In the ensuing mayhem, he was suddenly shot in the face, without any time to defend himself. Andrew Widman leaves behind a wife and three young children (4 years, 20 months and a 5 month old infant). Cruel is an understatement. Gut wrenching. One word best describes my reaction: Devastated.

How can anyone justify such a killing? Just yesterday, I was teaching my kids that ‘anger’ is one letter away from ’danger.’ Kids do need to learn how to deal with their anger. Isn’t it true that anger is a behaviour that can become destructive if not dealt with appropriately? Rod Wilson and Glen Taylor describes anger as “an experience that occurs when a goal, value, or expectation that we have chosen has been blocked, or when our sense of self-worth is threatened.” Anger is a natural human emotion. Jesus has been angry before, but it was controlled anger. If our sense of self-worth is secure in God, we will not be easily shaken. The Psalmist cries out to God for mercy, knowing that God is the source of all comfort. When fallen into the deepest valley, the God of the highest mountain is able to lift him up. When drowning in the deepest waters, the God of the widest horizon is able to scoop up any sinking person. When trapped in the tiniest of crevices, the God of the universe is able to detect and sense the smallest squeak, the tiniest murmur and the minutest emotional movement. God is able to draw unto him every struggling person, attracting them to him like iron filings to magnet. God as a loving father constantly listens out to the cries of his people. He is close to the hearts of the Widmans. God, in Christ, alone is able to right all wrongs, cleanse all from sins, and deliver people from evil. Until that time arrives, we can only wait upon his comfort. We pray with all earnestness that God will be gentle upon the souls of the Widman family, to hear them out, to seek their attention, just as he seeks to give them the attention they needed.

Like most mourning, it takes a long time for healing to take place. I have previously described Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s advice after a dear friend’s funeral service. I reproduce the stages of mourning here:

1. Shock stage: Initial paralysis at hearing the bad news.
   
2. Denial stage: Trying to avoid the inevitable.
   
3. Anger stage: Frustrated outpouring of bottled-up emotion.
   
4. Bargaining stage: Seeking in vain for a way out.
   
5. Depression stage: Final realization of the inevitable.
   
6. Testing stage: Seeking realistic solutions.
   
7. Acceptance stage: Finally finding the way forward.

Meditation on Ps 130:1-6

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive 
 To my cry for mercy.
If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
 O LORD, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
 therefore you are feared."

(Ps 130:1-4)

This psalm is a cry for the Lord to listen and to show mercy. The psalmist knows in his deepest sorrow that the safest comfort comes only from the Lord. There is no other better source of consolation. There is both a desire to be encouraged, and also an awareness of personal sins and weaknesses. For one to be able to struggle from within, to seek help from above, and realize that one still needs to be forgiven is indeed a quality of a spiritual person. In it lies the secret of inner healing. So often when one experience bad times or suffering, there is a tendency to blame external factors and forgetting the inner aspects.

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
 and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the LORD
 more than watchmen wait for the morning,
 more than watchmen wait for the morning."

(Ps 130:5-6)

Isn't that a wonderful way to start our mourning or plea for help? It is an exercise of patience, anchored on God's Word? 'My soul waits' indicates the posture of the whole person. It includes heart, mind and will. It causes the physical action and the inner emotion to stay in sync. Neither will go prematurely before the other. Both waits for God's inner prompting and outer guidance. Verse 6 is unique. I want to make 3 observations of this verse. Firstly, the words 'more than watchmen wait for the morning' is repeated. Having a statement repeated is an important point in Hebrew literature. It shows the seriousness of the whole matter. A double emphasis coincides with the level of deep mourning and sorrow. Secondly, the Hebrew word for 'watchmen' is a verb. This teaches us that becoming a watchmen is a disposition to look out intently in hope. It is not a title or a mere job. Thirdly, there is a strong reference to hope. Morning will come, and one waits intently and expectantly for the coming of dawn. What a picture of hope! What a wonderful way to expect the coming of the LORD. This attitude of hope is so necessary in times of tragedy, struggle and suffering. May the LORD bring the Widman family close to him during this time of grief.

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More information below.

• Fox 4 news has it covered here.
  
• The statement from the Widman family can be read here.
• There are some efforts to raise $100k for the family.
  
• Fort Myers Police Department Memorial Page.

Living By Vows

I visited a church on June 8th, 2008. The preacher was a visiting professor who hails from Columbia International University, an alumnus of Gordon-Conwell, well sought after by the New England churches, Dr George Murray. In a sermon entitled "Go! Look! Be Moved! Pray!" he exhorted the congregation to reinvigorate their evangelism by making plans to go, yet willing to stay. Contrary to the popular option which often reverses the two. The harvest is plentiful, yet the workers out there are few. Conversely, the harvest at home is meagre, yet the workers are many. Despite the fact that 90% of any church are done by only 10% of the people, there are still lots of well-trained individuals in that 10% compared with the third world and less developed countries. I heard of one country where a believer became the pastor/teacher of the hungry flock in 1 day! I am not sure how many people will follow through with "Planning to Go, Willing to Stay." That was quite similar to what I heard years ago, that all Christians should make plans to be missionaries, unless otherwise stated. There are not many Abrahams or Samuels nowadays compared to Jonahs.

Living By Vows
What was memorable that day was not the sermon itself, but the story of Robertson McQuilkin and his commitment to his wife Muriel. In a very touching testimony in Living By Vows, Dr McQuilkin resigned from being President of Columbia International University in 1990 so that he can take full-time care of Muriel who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Initially, he was torn between two commitments, his responsibility as a President at the University vs his responsibility as a husband. He was torn between two divine callings: to serve as a Christian witness on campus matters, vs to serve as a witness within the boundaries of a small little house. What does it mean to put the kingdom of God first? What does it mean to 'hate my wife' for the sake of Christ and the kingdom? He was ripped right in the middle between two necessary and important deeds. He prayed:

"..we would trust the Lord to work a miracle in Muriel if He so desired, or work a miracle in me if He did not."

The advice comes fast as Dr McQuilkin was planning to quit. Some tried to persuade him not to give up a colourful career in academia. Others claim that his experience and talents will be wasted if not used for 'kingdom-work.' In 1990, he made his decision and resigned from all responsibilities save one: Care for his wife, Muriel. He rationalizes: "She is such a delight to me. I don't have to care for her, I GET TO. One blessing is the way she is teaching me so much - about love, for example, God's love...... Had I not promised, 42 years before, 'in sickness and in health...till death do us part?"

Dr McQuilkin spent 13 years caring for Muriel, until her death in September 2003. An established missionary of 12 years, as President of Columbia for 22 years, he willingly gave it all up to be faithful and committed to a wife who is dying from Alzheimer's disease. That day, God taught me something precious and important in my heart. It is one thing to know in the head my marriage vows. It is another thing to understand in my heart what it means. Dr McQuilkin's testimony reminds me once again how beautiful love can be. He taught me that the kingdom of God is most magnified in love, for it is in love that Christ came to earth to die for all of us. I learned that day that responsibilities in the will of God will never conflict. Dr McQuilkin's actions have done more for the gospel than if he had chosen to leave his wife alone. I sat at the pew that morning fighting back tears.

"Most women will stand by their men, but very few men stand by their women." McQuilkin bucked the trend. You can read a brief article, the Christianity Today reprint here.

For more details about Dr Robertson McQuilkin's testimony, read "A Promise Kept: The Story of an Unforgettable Love. (Tyndale House, 1998).

Thoughts on Biblical Leadership

BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP

This week at Gordon-Conwell has been a journey through the path of leadership. We learned from the esteemed Ray Brunt, the author of the powerful article: “Leaders Growing Leaders” which is the first of two articles in his address to the need to grow leaders for the public service. Particularly helpful is his distinction of leaders in terms of people who grow others to be leaders. Leaders are those who ‘beget leaders and leave a legacy’ (Brunt, “Leaders Growing Leaders,” 12). This is demonstrated through four means, namely; Exemplar, Coach, Mentor and Teacher. Leadership is demonstrated, guided, and for the less initiated; taught explicitly. The more the leader understands his students, the better and more precise his teaching technique. Taking time to build relationships prepares students to learn well. Walter Wright, formerly a President of Regent-College affirms that:

Leadership as Relationship

“Leadership is a relationship – a relationship in which one person seeks to influence the thoughts, behaviours, beliefs or values of another person.” (Walter C. Wright, Relational Leadership, Carlisle, UK: Paternoster, 2000, p2)

Jesus builds relationships constantly. Whether he is doing his miraculous works, or rebuking wrong teachings, he is demonstrating leadership to people around, the onlooking spectators, his disciples and even his enemies. Jesus was popular with the poor, the needy, the marginalized and the outcasts of society. He was hugely unpopular with people in the higher echelons. Yet, Jesus is demonstrating leadership, in the midst of both positive and negative perceptions. That is a key thing. Leadership should be life-giving, based on truth-telling rather than popularity.

“Leaders Growing Leaders” despite all its powerful message, contains a glaring limitation. While it is powerful and effective, it is more applicable for those people who have significant years of leadership opportunity and experience. What about the younger folks? What about people who are relatively inexperienced, who desires to grow in learning leadership but are limited by tradition and hierarchical structures? Of course, while one can argue that the posture rather than the position is more appropriate, the fact is it has been written by a gentleman who is sharing from his years of knowledge and experience. Brunt meticulously weaves in the call for leaders in society to include younger ones in their organization so that the young can observe how leadership is done. This article is clearly for people who are relatively more senior in any public organization. Leaders Growing Leaders is a good article, I must admit. Yet, I would have preferred, from a more inclusive perspective. Perhaps, “Growing Leaders Grow Leaders” will be more encouraging to the young, or the young at heart. I was reading yesterday Paul’s exhortation to a young leader, Timothy.
“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1 Tim 4:12)

Leadership as Learners
A posture of learning is the mark of a disciple. Contrary to what many believe, the word ‘disciple’ does not mean discipline. In Greek, disciple is translated (μαθητής, mathetes), also understood to be ‘student’ or ‘learner.’ A disciple of Christ is essentially a student of Jesus. Discipleship is learning to be like Christ. A Christian is a follower of Christ. I will assert that if we are not able to be good followers, we cannot ever become good leaders. All of us has to learn from someone, or through some circumstance. Nobody can truly begin from a high pedestal. Leadership growth is essentially a series of spirals from one level to another. Different circumstances will draw out different leadership characteristics from us. For example, one who is gifted in one type of skill-set, will be better equipped to learn a second perspective. Timothy is a young leader, close to the heart of Paul. The apostle Paul is his mentor and teacher. Leadership is essentially an attribute that is learned. Leaders are learners.

Leadership as Faith-in-Action
One of the marks of leadership is the courage to take risks. Peter Senge says:

“We are coming to believe that leaders are those people who ‘walk ahead,’ people who are genuinely committed to deep change in themselves and in their organizations. They lead through developing new skills, capabilities, and understandings. And they come from many places within the organization.” (Peter Senge)

I rose up this morning thinking about leadership and faith. As one who loves to conjure up creative acronyms, I came up with the following:
F – Faithfulness
A – Availability
I – Inclusiveness
T – Teachable
H – Humble

1) F- Faithfulness
In faithfulness, a leader learns to persevere on in what he believes to be the core values of life. Without faith in something, the person loses his sense of identity. Warren Bennis describes it succinctly:

“The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his own person. The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.” (Warren Bennis, On Becoming the Leader, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1989, 45)

Though Bennis compares the difference between the manager and the leader, I believe he is highlighting the essence of a leader rather than simply downplaying the importance of a manager. A leader is essentially one who does the right thing because he believes in that right thing. Having established a belief, he holds on to that value and live a life of faithfulness. If we believe strongly in the institution of marriage, should we not be faithful to our spouses? If we believe in the Trinity, should not community figure more prominently in our daily lives?

2) Availability
It is one thing to say that we are available when needed. It is yet another to be physically present. These past two weeks, I have been blessed to sit through and listen in to wonderful teachings from the faculty at Gordon-Conwell about leadership and workplace theology. Dr Haddon Robinson, the revered preacher and servant of God, currently interim president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary made an honest effort to be with us, in spite of his busy schedule. That made a lot of difference, at least for me. Being available to us makes a lot of difference. He exemplified leadership by being with the ‘least’ of us, taking questions from younger students willingly. I am reminded of Jesus’s words in the oft-quoted verse in Matthew 28. Sometimes, Christians remember ‘Go ye therefore’ to the point that they failed to equally stress Christ’s presence: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Maybe, people who are afraid of sharing the Christian faith with their neighbours have read the first part of Matthew 28:19 and failed to comprehend more fully the meaning of Christ being present with us ALWAYS. Put it another way, if we know that Christ is with us and for us, should not Christians be people full of courage in Christ? Christian leadership is that willingness to be available for others, because Christ is with us.

3) I – Inclusiveness
This is where I feel is a good supplement to “Leaders Growing Leaders.” Leaders must constantly learn to be inclusive, and not imagine themselves to be so high up in the hierarchy that they have no personal touch at the lower levels of the organization. This truth was brought home by a presenter yesterday about her organizational culture which allows a subordinate three levels below to report certain aspects of an important project to an executive three levels above her. Jesus calls ordinary men to follow him. Paul calls young Timothy into his ministry. Young Samuel was called by God. All these people were included in the wide ministry of the Word.

“A Christian leader is someone who is called by God to lead and possess virtuous character and effectively motivates, mobilizes resources and directs people toward the fulfillment of a jointly embraced vision from God.” (George Barna, The Second Coming of the Church, Nashville: Word, 1998, p107)

Barna hits it rightly. A ‘jointly-embraced vision from God’ cuts across all ranks. Being inclusive means mobilizing all available resources, all people who catches the vision of God. We cannot exclude people based on any form of human-differentiated device.

4) Teachable
This is the mark of a disciple, as mentioned earlier. As long as one adopts constantly a disposition of learning, as long as one remains teachable, one is exhibiting one of the biggest traits of effective leadership. Thrall et al, asserts that ‘change and growth require teachability.’ This is even more important as we are in the midst of one of the most fast changing and rapidly growing period in history, with technology and frantic pace of life becoming the key drivers of society.

“One of the first signs of an endangered leader is a decrease in his willingness to hear and learn from the experiences of others. Beware of this trap! Remember, fifth-rung experiences come from God, not your own superior abilities or character. Protection and direction come from listening, hearing and aligning with the truth others have to tell us.” (Thrall et al, The Ascent of the Leader, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1999, p154)

That is a wonderful reminder that leaders do not stop growing and learning. They must remain teachable. That is a mark of a leader.

5) Humble

“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. That sums up the progress of an artful leader. ” (Max de Pree, Leadership is an Art, New York: Doubleday, 2004, p11)

Max de Pree’s book is becoming one of the classics on leadership. It is a short book but long in valuable insights about leadership. It is also very Christian. The gospel writer Mark sees Jesus from the lens of a servant leader, one who is humble to come to serve and not to expect to be served.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many..” (Mark 10:45)

Jesus did not come first and foremost to be a servant for the sake of becoming a servant. He came out of love. This is important. Sometimes Christians debase themselves so much that they think being humble is simply to look down on oneself. Wrong! Being humble is essentially putting on Christ, to put God’s purpose before us. Robert Greenleaf hones in on this point.

“The great leader is seen as servant first, and that simple fact is the key to his greatness.” (Robert K. Greenleaf, Servant Leadership, New York: Paulist, 1977, p7)

I should end with a story from the desert fathers.
I have intentionally chosen to use 'humble' rather than 'humility.' I feel that using humble as a verb is more vivid. 'Humility' as an adjective tends to imply having attained that state.

A brother went to find Abba Serapion. According to his custom, the old man invited him to say a prayer. But the other, calling himself a sinner and unworthy of the monastic habit, did not obey. Next Abba Serapion wanted to wash his feet, but using the same words again, the visitor prevented him. Then Abba Serapion made him eat and he began to eat with him. Then he admonished him saying, 'My son, if you want to make progress stay in your cell and pay attention to yourself and your manual work; going out is not so profitable for you as remaining at home.' When he heard these words the visitor was offended and his expression changed so much that the old man could not but notice it. So he said to him, 'UP to now you have called yourself a sinner and accused yourself of being unworthy to live, but when I admonished you lovingly, you were extremely put out. If you want to be humble, learn to bear generously what others unfairly inflict upon you and do not harbour empty words in your heart.' Hearing this, the brother asked the old man s forgiveness and went away greatly edified.

This is truly one of the greatest marks of Christian leadership, that of a watchful disposition to tell the truth at the right time, to the right person in the right capacity. This can never be done on our own strength or wisdom. It has to be led by the Spirit of God, so that no man will ever boast.

ks