relinquishing crowns

“Do you feel you are qualified for this position? How have your education and experiences prepared you?”

Above are two examples of common questions a candidate for a ministry position, or any job whether ‘Christian’ or ‘secular’, might hear. Yet questions such as these emphasize the abilities of the candidate, inadvertently creating a foundation of pride, or insecurity. As a result, the candidate is conditioned to look to his or her own accomplishments, to believe worth is determined by that which he or she is capable of doing, and to operate based on the way in which others perceive him or her. Thus, even before the interview process begins, a hybrid of individual heroism and codependency is formed.

As a young youth pastor, both young in age and experience in ministry, I interviewed a candidate for the position of junior high director. I asked for the candidate’s vision concerning the junior high group. Furthermore, I asked for the candidate’s philosophy of ministry and plan for establishing a core team. Perhaps at first glance there are no apparent problems with these questions. After all, vision, philosophy of ministry, and plans for effective work are all important. However, looking back I can see my error of leading the candidate to rely on her own abilities while, at the same time, developing an atmosphere of acceptance based on performance.

True leadership is not founded on ambition, egocentric desire, or self-reliance. Rather, true leadership is derived from humility, teach-ability, and appropriate vulnerability. For a Christian, true leadership is derived from humbly serving Jesus Christ and others, while continually striving to know Christ more. A true Christian leader is the best follower inasmuch as he or she follows the Master.

Should I ever interview for a job in the future and hear the questions above, I would like to respond in a way somewhat close to the following: “If I answer your questions, regurgitate some theological philosophy, provide a solid defense of my qualifications, and eloquently articulate the reasons my education and experiences have prepared me to handle this position, you should congratulate me on my achievements and nothing more.” I am in no way disregarding the importance of education or the validity of experience. Qualifications and abilities are, of course, important and helpful for both the interviewer and interviewee of recognizing a ‘good fit’ for the position at hand. However, attention must be given to the person’s willingness and desire to be led by the Holy Spirit, and diligence in living a life as a learner of God.

The most ‘qualified’ person is not always the ‘right’ person for the job. On the contrary, though Peter and John had courage, they were unschooled, ordinary men (Acts 4:13). Only through the Holy Spirit was Peter able to stand up to the Sadducees and priests (Acts 4:8), not because he had an M.Div from Fuller Theological Seminary. Leadership is not dependent on our achievements.

At this point I must reiterate that education is not obsolete. If it were, I would not have worked hard on earning two bachelor’s degrees, an M.Div, or a Master of Arts in Theology, and I would not continue to work toward a PhD in Old Testament studies. I believe God desires we grow in our education, through books, school, and conversations with mentors and other believers. Nevertheless, we can fall into the trap of leaning on our own accomplishments and knowledge.

I have been a Christ follower for nearly 14 years. Since the beginning of my spiritual journey I have been actively involved in ministry. I began by playing guitar for my youth worship team. Soon after I began a Christian band and found myself preaching the Good News at our shows. I was picked up as the speaker for a ministry that set up Christian shows for hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of youth. I started a Bible study in which many friends and people who heard I was a ‘good teacher’ attended. I have spoken at Christian camps, worked as a youth pastor, and currently pastor a wonderful church. I cannot deny that through all of this pride has crept in with its ugly face tempting me to find fulfillment in my achievements. Nevertheless, when the illusions of grandeur stand at my doorstep I am reminded of the apostle Paul who, after naming some of his many achievements and qualifications, states “I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8 NRSV cf. Philippians 3 and 2 Corinthians 12-14).

While a student at Azusa Pacific University, I remember a chapel speaker asking what we would want our epitaphs to read. He hammered on the point that we must make our mark and positively influence the world as role models. I think my answer at the time was something like, “Izzy Matos, he loved Jesus Christ and people passionately.” I had it right did I not? After all, the two greatest commandments are there. The fact of the matter is if I am thinking about my epitaph, I have missed the point. How can I look ahead to my death and legacy when there are hurting people right next to me? When I look to all the ministry or, to put another way, ‘stuff’ I have to do “for God,” I miss the hungry person on the off-ramp, the person stuck on the side of the road, the lady carrying her grocery bags home because she cannot afford a car and must walk 10 blocks.

The truth of the matter is when we step into leadership we are given a crown. The greater our influence grows, the more nice things people say about us, and the more people are affected by what we say and do. Ultimately, the ‘better’ we do in ministry, the more jewels we receive on our crown. Is that the point of doing Kingdom work? What good is a crown with jewels going to be in heaven? What a lame goal! The Son of God, worthy of all praise and honor, rode on a donkey. The true King, given all authority and majesty from heaven, wore a crown of thorns. How dare I seek to polish the jewels on my crown when my Lord and Savior got on his knees as a lowly servant and washed the disgusting feet of his disciples!

Leadership is not picking up our swords and leading a group to march into battle. It is the ability to fall our knees in humility and meekness. It is the ability to give up control. We strive to possess education, credibility, power, and relevancy that, though useful, will own us if we are not careful. Remember the same universal sign for surrender is used for worship. It is only when we give up everything that we can have anything.