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“How can I serve you better?”
This is a line I hear often from Lifeword’s Director, Donny Parrish. If you know him, you know he has big dreams, great ideas, and a deep love for reaching the lost. I love listening to stories of his days as a youth pastor, in music ministry and the early days of working at Lifeword when it was mainly just radio broadcasting.
He leads by serving. He leads by example.
Luke 22:25-30
“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
The disciples have been bickering about who among them would be the greatest in the coming kingdom. But Jesus reminded them, as He had before, that His kingdom is not like this world. To be a leader one must have a servant’s heart.
Putting others’ needs above your own. Serving them with gladness. Desiring to see them grow and flourish as they fulfill their purpose.
Whether you think it or not, you are a leader. Maybe it’s a classroom of children you teach, or 3 rambunctious kiddos at home you feel like you’re chasing each day just to get them to eat their vegetables. In the workplace, the home, your school, on the field or the court, on social media, you name it, you are leading someone.
Throughout the years I’ve been at Lifeword, I’ve seen Donny’s name scroll across the screen of my phone as his call came through.
“Just checking on you.
How can I help you guys?
I care more about you as a person than just an employee.”
He brings you to the team, trains you for the game, turns you lose on the field and is your biggest fan from the sidelines. I can picture it now, but the Pom-poms might be a bit much.
What kind of leader are we going to be? Will we follow the example Christ gave and lead by example and service?
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