As we think about the life of Jesus and what he is teaching in these passages, one word come to the forefront. That word is humility.

A leader must possess humility. Humility seems to be a largely lost grace among Christians at the dawning of the 21st Century, but it is one that requires revival.

John Milton said there were two kinds of humility, "The humility of a servant who looks down and the humility of a son who gazes up." It is this ascending humility Christians need to recapture today. Jesus said he was "meek and lowly of heart" (Matthew 11:29) and indeed he had no pride or pretension.

The reality of his statement is seen in his life beginning with his birth in a manger, his entrance into public life in the hands of his cousin John the Baptist, his constant rejection of honor or fame after accomplishing a healing or miracle, and his appreciation of any offering or service.

This attitude of humility is the challenge to the church and all its leaders today.

Servant leadership may be a style of management to corporations, but to Jesus it was an attitude of heart. In part it is the recognition that no amount of organizational structure will help if the Lord himself is not a part of the process.

Power play and manipulation are leadership methods of we see often in churches, but they acts of people who do not fully trust Jesus Christ. Our only hope for effective leadership rests in the hands of the Lord. It is our obligation to be obedient to the method for leadership he has provided, then leave the results to him. Leaders need to recognize anew that we are involved in a supernatural struggle where organizational principles or heroic management will not win.

Spiritual leadership in a secular society is going through a radical change. There is a very definite shift from the Judeo-Christian tradition in values to those based upon the principles of secularism. Power is shifting away from moral leadership and the rights of individuals to small vocal special interest groups.

These developments will force church leaders to reassess leadership styles. There will be no point to be a powerful CEO or Trustee of an institution whose values are held in disrepute by society at large.

While a secular society may not respond to an institutional expression of Christian ministry, individuals will respond to Servant leadership no matter where the winds of culture may blow. We can be sure people will respond because Servant leadership is an integral part of God's larger plan of the redemption of the human race.

The call to Servant leadership is a call to self-examination and confession of sin for those who would be leaders. It is a matter of putting away ego and looking at the needs of people through the eyes of Jesus Christ. It is about shared goals, spiritual intimacy, about caring for people, listening to them, acting on their behalf, praying for them and with them.

It is a radical form of leadership, but it is the one in which Jesus Christ is able to glorify himself.