Issue #102, March 27, 2013
Paul’s next instruction to Timothy is to find leaders who are “respectable” (1Timothy 3:2). Being respectable is much deeper than looking good on the outside or impressing people with charisma or leadership skills. Paul recognized that followers will not long follow a leader they do not genuinely respect. He understood that positions are given but respect is earned. He wanted to assure that the leaders who served on his team had earned the respect of those who followed. With this instruction Paul calls each of us to live as servant leaders earning respect in at least three ways.
Servant leaders are respectable when their lives are principled.
Principles, not convenience or public opinion, are the compass for leaders whose lives are respectable. Far too many leaders try to find out what people want; then take their stand based on what is most popular. That may win votes but it will never win respect. Servant leaders base their lives on unchanging principles. They are charitable to those who disagree with their positions but refuse to be swayed by popular opinion. They refuse to lie even in the smallest matter. They don’t exaggerate their reports. They do not compromise what they believe to make more profit or bring another member to their church.
Servant leaders are respectable when their lives are selfless.
Leaders who are worthy of respect put the needs of others above themselves. Day after day, they lay down their own wishes and surrender their rights to serve others. They focus on others, not themselves. This is not a gimmick to win favor, but a genuine heart attitude of love for others and a commitment to give as leaders rather than to receive. Leaders who serve only themselves may get a lot done and may appear to be successful. They believe that they will be respected because of their position and achievements. But until they focus on others their lives are not worthy of respect. Servant leaders use their positions to serve others; not themselves and as they do so they earn the right to be respected.
Servant leaders are respectable when their lives are consistent.
Respect is earned as a result of consistent behavior over a long period of time. Servant leaders are not seeking instant success or popularity. They begin with the end in mind and focus on long term results rather than short term gains. They recognize that a moment of indiscretion can ruin years of consistency so they guard their lives against secret sins that will eventually surface and destroy their respectability. They are willing to consistently model the way day after day, year after year.
Joseph, the husband of Mary, provides a biblical example of a respectable man. He is described as a “just” or “righteous” man (Matthew 1:19). When faced with what seemed like an obvious sin in Mary, he determined to act in accordance with his principles and also in a manner that would honor her rather than simply expressing his own feelings. When God directed him to continue their relationship, he selflessly stayed with her at great cost to his personal reputation. His consistent obedience to God’s instructions enabled him to pass the quality assurance checklist as a respectable leader. His life calls each of us to reflect for a moment to ask ourselves if we are leaders worthy of respect.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Reflect on decisions you have made in the past week. Were they made based primarily on principle or feelings? What results did they produce in your leadership and what can you learn from this?
- What are the five most important guiding principles in my life? Are these consistently clear to those around me?
- What have I done in my leadership in the past month to focus on the needs of others instead of my own desires?
- To what extent do I model consistency with my life? Am I focused on long term gains or short term wins? Are there secret sins in my life that if exposed would diminish my influence? If so, what do I need to do about them?