Page 34 [34]
OCR
MÁRK BIRINYI multifaceted needs of the community. In doing so, they laid a foundation for leadership that is deeply rooted in servanthood, humility, and the strategic delegation of responsibilities—a model that remains profoundly relevant for contemporary church governance. Christian leadership is fundamentally anchored in theological principles that emphasize service over authority. As illustrated in Mark 10:45, where Christ declared, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,” the model of leadership advanced in the early Church stresses self-sacrifice, humility, and relational discipleship (Holy Bible, New International Version). According to this theological foundation, leaders should remain accountable, ethically driven, and committed to the well-being of the community. Modern church governance can benefit from such a paradigm by ensuring that leaders are, first and foremost, servants—a principle echoed in Greenleaf’s seminal work on servant leadership.” In contemporary church administration, the roles of spiritual oversight and practical governance often intersect. The clear division made by the early Church between the roles of elders and deacons offers a valuable framework for addressing this intersection. Elders were entrusted with preserving doctrinal integrity and providing pastoral care, tasks which required not only theological depth but also the capacity to mentor and inspire their communities. Conversely, deacons managed practical concerns such as resource allocation and community welfare, which necessitated robust administrative skills and a sensitivity to social outreach. This dual structure promotes balanced leadership by reducing burnout and enhancing overall efficiency, which suggests that modern ecclesiastical structures might benefit from a similar delineation of responsibilities. One of the enduring lessons of early Christian leadership is the importance of accountability. The communal decision-making and mutual oversight observed in the early Church, notably during events like the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), underscore the necessity of transparency and ethical conduct in leadership roles. Contemporary church governance must prioritize transparency in decision-making processes, ethical financial stewardship, and the active prevention of autocratic practices. By fostering a culture of accountability, modern church leaders can maintain the integrity of their institutions, build trust among congregants, and mitigate the risks of institutional corruption.”’ The servant leadership model, as demonstrated by early church leaders, presents a robust alternative to hierarchical or power-centric leadership structures. In today’s context, this model calls for leaders who place the needs of their community above personal ambitions. °5 Greenleaf: Servant Leadership. 26 M.J. Wilkins: Church Leadership in the Biblical Tradition. Oxford University Press, 2006. ”” G. Barna: The Power of Vision: How You Can Capture and Apply God’s Vision for Your Life and Ministry. Zondervan, 2002. .32 +
