The news is dominated currently by the fall from grace of a politician and a premiership footballer.
Both were in positions of authority – one a cabinet minister, the other the captain of the English football team – and are now facing criminal charges.
Both have now either stood down from or been pushed from their positions of authority.
“Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer (leader) desires a noble task. Now the overseer (leader) is to be beyond reproach.” 1 Timothy 3
In the book of Timothy we read that our leaders, while committing themselves to a noble task, must be beyond reproach and will be subjected to close scrutiny. The rest of the chapter outlines a long list of requirements for leaders. Modern society suffers from leaders who are not beyond reproach. Leadership is no longer seen as a noble calling but a way to gain influence and power from others – we only need witness the global abuse of power to validate this.
Jesus modelled a different style of leadership. He saw leadership as an opportunity to serve those who followed him better. His humility displayed when he washed the feet of his disciples before giving himself up to die on a cross that we may have life.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where officers of the British Army are trained, has the motto “Serve to Lead.” It sees service as crucial in the development of young men and women who will be responsible for others in testing circumstances. Serving in order to lead is essential in leadership to ensure that we remain humble and committed to the raising up of others around us.
We need more leaders who are willing to lay down their high position and serve those around us though humility, honesty, integrity and courage.
