Introduction 

    1. Background. In 1973 the story in Matthew 20:20-28 captured my attention. When I read this story, it seemed to me that it covered many of the key issues surrounding leadership. We had been in Brussels just one year and were attempting to further establish the ministry of ICI. Because of this, the issues raised in these verses frequently confronted me. Through the years, I have turned repeatedly to this passage for help with many very practical matters.

    2. The Story. With this background I will now read the story as it is found in the NAS version of Matthew 20:20-28. This is a very powerful story and deals with basic leadership motivations in life.

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him.

21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left.”

22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

23 He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”

24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.

25 But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.

26 It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,

27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (NAS)

This captivating story is told by Mark as well. The story as He tells it in Mark 10:35-45 (NAS) is as follows:

35 And James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Him, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”

36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

37 And they said to Him, “Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

39 And they said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.

40 “But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

41 And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.

42 And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.

43 But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (NAS)

    3. Series. When I read this in Brussels, I was teaching Sunday School in Christian Center, a newly established church. So I developed a series of ten lessons on issues or principles of leadership based on this passage. Later, I developed a fuller course of study on leadership. However, I have frequently taught the ten lesson series.

This series of lessons presents a study of leadership issues arising out of the story in Matthew 20:20-28. Thus, the lessons will not be limited just to an exposition of the passage. Rather, we will discuss topical issues which arise out of the passage. We will refer to many other passages of Scripture.

    4. This Lesson. In this introductory lesson, we will develop a framework for the entire series. I will present the need for leaders, a definition of leadership, a preview of the remaining lessons, and discuss service as the sine qua non (without which not) of Christian leadership. This latter point is the heart of the story in Matthew. 

The Need for Leaders 

    1. Task. We have been given an enormous task. Christ has commanded us to “preach the gospel to all creation” and to “make disciples of all the nations” (Mk. 16:15; Mt. 28:19). Moreover, God has assigned us the task of “equipping the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12).

    2. Challenges. We are confronted with many challenges in completing the task. We must work in many languages, in a great variety of cultures, in difficult climates, with limited funds, with too few people, and many more.

Today, one of our most difficult challenges is to present Christ in the midst of many false ideologies, agnostic or atheistic philosophies, and strange doctrines. However, the challenge is not new. One of Paul’s main concerns, for example, was the preaching and preservation of the truth. His two epistles to Timothy breath with this concern.

We may call these challenges problems or opportunities. Either way, we must trust God for the solutions and keep advancing. The mountains must become as molehills as we follow the Lord. We must pray that the Lord, with His power in mind, will give us the right perspective.

    3. Demand. All these challenges demand leaders. Without leaders the church languishes. Chaos, inefficiency, and aimlessness prevail. The commands of Christ are unfulfilled. With leaders goals are set, people are united, work progresses, and Christ’s commands are fulfilled.

Sometimes we think that we are extremely independent and do not want to be led. Actually, we often are hoping for leaders to emerge. Even though we want to be involved in what is taking place, we do not inherently reject leadership. We want to follow as well as to participate in leading. 

What Leadership Is 

    1. Types. When I speak of leaders, I do not necessarily mean people of high position and authority. There are several types of leaders, and many people can lead. Ross and Hendry, in New Understandings of Leadership, distinguish three types of leaders (15):

1. the person who has achieved pre-eminence by unique attainment, who is ahead of their group, a person of the caliber of an Einstein
   
2. the person who by designation, for whatever reason, has been given official leadership status involving formal authority, who is the head of their group
   
3. the person who emerges in a given situation as capable of helping the group determine and achieve its objectives and/or maintain and strengthen the group itself, who is a head of their group

To illustrate this, we can think of the prophet, the priest, and the king. The prophet is usually ahead of their followers. He/she is one of the spiritual leaders who guides the people. The king/queen is the head of their followers. The king/queen has the full power and the position to rule the people of their group. He/she is a seer and has insight into where history is going. The priest is a head of their followers. He/she is one of the spiritual leaders who guides the people. 

In a supreme and unique sense, Christ is all three– Prophet, Priest, and King! The Word of God develops all three aspects of His life and ministry (Acts 7:37; Hebrews 8:1; Rev. 19:16). His leadership is perfectly balanced!

    2. Definitions. Many definitions focus on the last two types mentioned by Ross and Hendry, the leader who is either the head or a head of their group. These definitions highlight several of the major factors in leadership. Here are some examples: 

• Emory S. Bogardus, in Leaders and Leadership says, “A leader is a person who exerts special influence over a number of people” (3).
• Ordway Tead, in The Art of Leadership, states, “Leadership is the activity of influencing people to cooperate toward some goal which they come to find desirable” (20). He goes on to say, “The unique emphasis in the idea of leading here advanced, is upon the satisfaction and sense of self-fulfillment secured by the followers of the true leader” (20).
• H. Titus, in The Processes of Leadership, takes a different view. Writing about the nature of political processes, he declares, “Leadership, synonymous with politics, is the art of getting what one wants and making people like it.”
• Harry S. Truman states: “A leader is a person who has the ability to get others to do what they don’t want to do, and like it” (Sanders 19).
• Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it” (Fisher 15).
• Robert Clinton, in The Making of a Leader, writes, “A leader is a person with God-given capacity and God-given responsibility who influences a group of followers towards God’s purposes for the group. The central element of this definition is his influencing toward God’s purposes” (127).
  
  Later in this book, Clinton writes: “I have defined leadership as a dynamic process over an extended period of time in various situations in which a leader utilizing leadership resources and by specific leadership behaviors, influences the thoughts and activities of followers toward accomplishment of aims usually mutually beneficial for leaders, followers, and the macro context of which they are a part” (213). 

    3. Factors. As we study these definitions, at least six factors emerge for our consideration. The theories of leadership usually highlight one or more of these factors. A complete definition of leadership will encompass all of them. 

• The Leader Themselves. The leader’s individuality is an important factor. Their background, personality, and traits are a part of the total leadership picture. While other theories put more emphasis on training and the development of leadership qualities.
• The Group. As Richard Wolff, in Man at the Top, points out, leadership may be seen as “a group property and as a function of the group structure. The significance of the leader is recognized, but largely because he is seen as the dynamic focus of the group” (113). The leader assists the group in achieving its goals, with its functions, and helps maintain the group.
• The Situation. Another approach emphasizes the situation. The traits of an individual are relatively stable and group goals and purposes are variable. Thus, a leader in one situation may not be a leader in another situation. Wolff writes, “We are then face to face with three basic concepts of leadership: the center of gravity is either in the leader, in the group, or in the situation” (114) . However, wherever we place the center of gravity, we can include all these factors in our view of leadership.
• The Goal. In any leadership situation both private and group goals exist. As Christians, we submit ourselves to the will of God. Because of this, the challenge is to discover what His will is both for us as individuals and for the group. Leaders may focus on what the group initiates and wants, what the leaders want, or what the group comes to find desirable under their guidance.
• The Act of Leading. The act of leading is described in various terms. Some speak of the leader getting what they want and making people like it. Others stress more what the leader does to influence or guide the group. Going further, others put the emphasis on the leader being mainly an implementer of group goals.
  
  Whatever approach is taken, the ideal is for the leader and the people to work and move together. As one of our chapel speakers said, “unless the group is following, the supposed leader may be just out taking a walk!” A prophet, of course, is frequently found out front and alone. He walks where others do not wish to walk or, perhaps, fear to walk!
• The Holy Spirit. With regard to Christian leadership, the work of the Holy Spirit is the most important factor. Administration, for example, is a gift of the Spirit (I Cor. 12:28). In addition the Spirit uses the natural talents that we have. Even these natural talents are themselves a gift from God. Moreover, the Spirit guides both the leader and the group toward the goals God sets before us. 

   4. My Definition. Many years ago, with the above factors in mind, I wrote my own definition of leadership. With only slight modification (I added         “the will of God and”), I will present this definition today. As you will see, it is somewhat eclectic and inclusive. Here is my definition:

 Leadership is the art, science, and gift of the Holy Spirit demonstrated by a person, in a given situation, by means of which a group is inspired and guided in the cooperative accomplishment of an objective which is accepted by the group as the will of God and desirable, whether the objective was formed by the group or presented to the group by the leader.

Preview of the Series 

    1. Lesson One. With all this as background, let us turn to the story in Matthew 20:20-28. I will deal with the issues and topics brought to our attention by this story in our remaining lessons. As we review the story, I will name the lessons. Our first lesson is the Series Introduction.

    2. Lesson Two. Verses 20-21 suggest the topic for lesson two which is “The Desire to Lead.” Here, we read,

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him.

21 And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left.'”

    3. Lesson Three. The third lesson deals with “The Price of Leadership.” This is suggested by verse 22a which says,

22 But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?'” Those who would lead must carefully consider the price.

    4. Lesson Four. Lesson four is a study of “The Leader’s Confidence.” Verse 22b gives rise to this subject. Here, Matthew writes, “They [the disciples] said to Him, ‘We are able.'” We will deal with both the positive and negative aspects of the leader’s confidence.

    5. Lesson Five. In lesson five we will study “The Leader’s Destiny.” This lesson is based on verse 23 which says, “He said to them, ‘My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.'”

    6. Lesson Six. Sooner or later, most leaders are confronted with upset colleagues. With verse 24 in mind, I have titled lesson six as “Angry Colleagues.” Matthew writes, “24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.” We will consider the causes of this anger and how to deal with it.
 
    7. Lesson Seven. The subject of lesson seven is “The Leader’s Authority.” This lesson touches on verse 25 which states: “But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.”

    8. Lesson Eight. Now, in verses 26-27, we come to the very heart of the story. The title of lesson eight is “Leading Through Service.” Jesus said, “26 It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.'”

    9. Lesson Nine. Lesson nine deals with “The Hazards of Leadership.” We will discuss hazards such as compromise and manipulation. This lesson is not based directly on our text, but it certainly fits with the series.

    10. Lesson Ten. We will conclude the series with a lesson entitled, “A Ransom for Many.” This lesson is based on verse 28 where Jesus said, “28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” The supreme example of leadership is our own Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Himself! 

Service as the Sine Qua Non 

   We can summarize the meaning of this great story by referring to the sine qua non (without which not) of leadership. I will deal with this much more fully in our next lesson, but it will help to mention it here. The real essence of the story lies in this point.

    1. Meaning. According to the dictionary, sine qua non is a late Latin expression which means “without which not.” Sine is a preposition meaning without. Qua is an adverb meaning “in so far as; in the capacity or character of; as.” Non is a prefix in common use in the sense of not. The sine qua non of anything is the ingredient which is necessary to make it what it is. Without it, the thing does not exist.

    2. Gentiles. As Christ described Gentile leadership, power was their ultimate principle; it was their sine qua non (without which not). Without power there was no leadership, no greatness, no position. Without power all was lost.

    3. Disciples. Jesus exhorted the disciples to make service the sine qua non (without which not) of leadership. Without service, the disciples do not lead. All the power in the world would not make them leaders in the sense that Christ spoke of it. 

Conclusion 

   Let us conclude today by simply exalting Jesus Christ. In leadership, as in all other things, He is our highest example. When we view Him in proper perspective, we are inspired to follow His example and accomplish His task in His way.

For Further Reading 

    Bogardus, Emory S. Leaders and Leadership. New York: Appleton-Century-Drofts, Inc., 1934. 
 
    Clinton, J. Robert. The Making of a Leader. Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1988. 
 
    Fisher, James L. Power of the Presidency. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1984. 
 
    Gangel, Kenneth O. Competent to Lead. Chicago: Moody Press, 1974. 
 
    Ross, Murray G. and Hendry, Charles E. New Understandings of Leadership. New York: Association Press, 1957. 
 
    Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership. Chicago: Moody Press, 1967. 
 
    Tead, Ordway. The Art of Leadership. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1935. 
 
    Titus, Charles Hickman. The Processes of Leadership. Dubuque: Wm. C. Brown Company, 1950. 
 
    Wolff, Richard. Man at the Top. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1970. 
 
© Copyright 2002. GMF 

Translations are done by Dr. G Flattery, unless otherwise attributed.