In Mark 10:43-44 Jesus offers the new methodology of godly ambition instead of worldly ambition that often plagues church leadership. The words, “Yet it shall not be so among you…” ought to hang over every church board meeting to remind us that we aren’t lords, we are servants entrusted with God’s resources and sheep. In Matthew chapter 23 verse 8 Jesus said, “But you, do not be called Rabbi; for One is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.”
The church is not to operate as a hierarchy of power, as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:24, “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are FELLOW WORKERS for your joy; for by faith you stand.” No one; not the pastor, the board, the deacons or denomination is ever to be be the boss or bully pushing around their fellow brothers and sisters. Jesus is the Head of His church and will always be! We can look out over the differing forms of church government and see that no matter what form practiced we can see the same failure which is because of worldly ambition instead of godly ambition.
There has never been a form of church government that has been immune to it because the problem is not the structure but the heart behind it (worldly ambition instead of godly ambition). The church has simply failed (Catholic and Protestant, Baptist and Pentecostal) to live out these simple God given instructions of our Lord. A pastor or other leadership in a church are simply people who have been given the responsibility to exercise the proven calling and gifts in a way that glorifies Jesus, furthers His kingdom and causes God’s people to grown in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Jesus repeats Mark chapter 9 verse 35 and the great little visible example of how you can determine if you are functioning as a leader with godly ambition, “Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” Godly ambition is SERVANT LEADERSHIP; and when exercised in the power of the Holy Spirit something amazing happens.
Authority is established not by constraint but by willing submission as you have demonstrated that you value the people above your position and self! Those in authority in God’s church are those who have time and again demonstrated that they are servants of all and because of this have gained respect and honor from their fellow brothers and sisters that have been constantly served by them and have no problem submitting to their leadership.