According to John Stott in his 2002 Inter Varsity Press book Basic Christian Leadership, the answer is an obvious ‘yes’. Leadership is a word shared by Christians and non-Christians alike, but this does not mean that their concept of it is the same. Jesus noted this in Mark 10:42-44 where he introduced the surprising & distinctive element of “servant hood” as opposed to the arrogant, ‘bossy’ authority of the world.
Paul calls himself a servant in 1 Corinthians 3:5 & 4:1. He uses two different Greek words though.
• 1st = diakonos = servants used as instruments by God to bring the Corinthians to Christian faith = used by a higher power to accomplish a noble task through the servant’s willingness to surrender his/her will
• 2nd = huperetes = underlings, subordinates (original root meaning = the lowest rowing platform of a three-tiered warship)
The Lesson? The Apostle accomplished much for God’s Kingdom. We can too. It will require regarding (see 4:1) ourselves, our church, our office and calling in terms of submission and humility. Are you willing to stoop low and give up your claim to fame?
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