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Intention

To follow the example of our servant leader, the Lord Jesus Christ, and thereby offer a witness to the world of the true nature of leadership.

Scripture

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

– Mark 10:42–45

Reflection

Recently, I was invited to attend a talk at the UTAS campus, Hobart. It was given by the President of East Timor, José Ramos-Horta. I have always admired him. Listening to him that night confirmed my view that he is a great man and leader.

He was exiled from his native country for 24 years. After that, he travelled the world, seeking support for the independence of his people. He was only able to return when this independence was achieved in 2002.

Ramos-Horta became the Foreign Minister and then the Prime Minister. He became President in 2022. He was a co-recipient of the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Bishop Belo of Dili, for working “towards a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor”.

In response to a question about how some current conflicts across the world can be resolved, the President commented that leaders of the calibre of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela were needed.

Why do these leaders stand out?

What made them great was not only their leadership skills, but that their whole focus was on the wellbeing of the people. In particular, their leadership sought to honour people’s dignity. This made them great and enabled them to effect great change for their nation’s good.

This type of leadership is moral leadership rather than a merely functional one. It puts people first and is not driven by pragmatism or results. It inspires and does not control. These types of leaders, in the end, leave a rich and lasting legacy. They change the course of history.

What makes a great leader is addressed in Mark 10:42–45. The Lord says to the twelve disciples, “You know how among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt” (Mark 10:42).

The Lord firstly points to models of worldly leadership that I am sure his disciples knew only too well, both from the Roman occupiers and local leaders put there by the Romans. They appreciated from personal experience the suppression of their freedom and the denial of self-determination. They knew of injustices and sufferings caused by harsh and unreasonable decisions and actions.

This is sometimes known as “command and control” leadership. People are treated as being subject to the will of the leader. History knows of many tyrants and the terrible suffering they imposed on the people they controlled. Sadly, such leaders continue to emerge in our present day. We know of many countries that suffer – sometimes terribly – under such leadership.

But Jesus gives important instruction on the style of leadership that should characterise his disciples. He offers a real alternative to this worldly approach. Thus, he says, “Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all”. This is what is now commonly referred to as ‘servant leadership’.

This is the Christian way of leadership. It is to be applied, firstly, within the Christian community. Pope St Gregory the Great, for example, introduced a title for the role of the Pope. He said that the Pope is to be “the servant of the servants of God” – in Latin, servus servorum Dei.

This title reflects the teaching of Christ and serves as a call to all who exercise Christian leadership. It should be the pattern for Christians in whatever leadership they may exercise, within the Church or society.

Yes, it is true that leaders need to be able to address problems and find solutions that will improve things. But above all, they need to create environments where people are able to flourish. A servant leader will engage people so that together, they move towards achieving good outcomes.

True leaders will inspire trust and hope. People will cooperate with them when they have confidence that they are inspired by the highest motives.

Jesus comments on His own leadership when He says, “For the Son of Man came not to be served by to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This is the ultimate expression of true leadership.

Such a leader lives not only for the good of the people, but is willing to sacrifice himself for their good. He is totally other-directed. Servant leaders give of themselves for the sake of those they serve. True leadership is sacrificial.

As Jesus says in St John’s Gospel, “the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). This is precisely what Jesus did.

Thus, He is the perfect expression of true leadership. That is why we have no hesitation in following Him. It is not just His teaching or vision of life – important as this is. It is ultimately His example – His total self-sacrifice for our sake.

So, when we declare that Jesus is our Saviour and acclaim Him as our Lord, we profess our total confidence in His leadership over us. We put our full and total trust in Him and surrender ourselves to His governance over our lives.

Video

Prayer

Father, we hold before You all Christian leaders. May they serve Your people after the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, being prepared to lay down their lives for the good of the people entrusted to them.

May the witness of Christians inspire all who exercise leadership to model themselves on the example of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Author Bio

Archbishop Julian Porteous was ordained to the priesthood in 1974. He served in parishes in the greater Sydney area. He was appointed as Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Sydney in 2002. In 2003 he was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Sydney. In 2013 he was appointed as Archbishop of Hobart, Tasmania, where he currently serves.

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