Deeper ReflectionCONCERNING SPIRITUAL LEADERS, JESUS HAS MADE IT absolutely plain that “the
very first thing which needs to be said about Christian ministers of all kinds” is that they are “‘
under’ people (as their servants) rather than ‘
over’ them (as their leaders, let alone their lords)”
47 (Mk 10:42-45). They are to be servant-leaders. In God’s kingdom, the first are last, leaders are servants and chiefs are slaves. Jesus insists that the chief characteristic of Christian leaders is “humility, not authority, and gentleness, not power”
48 – as He says about Himself, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt 11:29). Nevertheless, biblically, authentic servant-leadership still carries an element of authority: Spiritual leaders are “
over” (
proistēmi) the people of God (v.12).
Proistēmi means “to so influence others as to cause them to follow a recommended course of action – to guide, to direct and to lead”
49. Leadership is influence.
Proistēmi was applied to superintendents, village heads, landlords and guardians of children, with the notions of “leading” and “caring” combined together.
50 Paul had set the example. While having the God-given apostolic authority, he was a servant to the Thessalonians by working to earn his own living instead of burdening them, and he was like a gentle nursing mother and caring father to them (1 Thess 2:6-9, 11-12).Christian leaders are to “admonish” (
noutheteō) their sheep (v.12).
Noutheteō means “to warn against bad behaviour and its consequences,
51 with the aim of “both enlightening and warning the ignorant about potential problems ahead and rebuking those already entangled in wrongdoing”
52. However, admonishing “does not connote a harsh ministry”
53.
47 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 120 – emphasis mine
48 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 120
49 Johannes P. Louw & Eugene A. Nida, 36.1
50 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 120
51 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 120
52 G. K. Beale, 161
53 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 121