Agents of Transformation

1. Agents of Transformation The Development of Servant Leaders

2. Selection & Training of Leaders Mark 3: 14-15 Three Planned Elements Being with Jesus Preaching/teaching the Good News Casting out demons/healing the sick AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 2 How did Jesus develop his disciples into leaders? He selected them He was with them (they were to be with him, live with him) He trained them by modeling ministry to them He sent them out to do the same kind of ministry he did (see all the summaries of ministry of Jesus & compare them with the summaries of disciples ministry) The big problem Jesus faced was the nature of ministry and leadership his disciples were to learn. Their preconceived and culture-shaped ideas of leadership often interfered with the model of leadership Jesus was trying to impress upon them. Often Jesus used teachable moments to nudge the disciples into the right direction. One of those moments happened in the story reported by Mark in chapter 10 of James and John coming to Jesus. A closer look at the structure of the text however reveals that we usually overlook the second part of the story that Mark placed their to illustrate Christ’s teaching. How did Jesus develop his disciples into leaders? He selected them He was with them (they were to be with him, live with him) He trained them by modeling ministry to them He sent them out to do the same kind of ministry he did (see all the summaries of ministry of Jesus & compare them with the summaries of disciples ministry) The big problem Jesus faced was the nature of ministry and leadership his disciples were to learn. Their preconceived and culture-shaped ideas of leadership often interfered with the model of leadership Jesus was trying to impress upon them. Often Jesus used teachable moments to nudge the disciples into the right direction. One of those moments happened in the story reported by Mark in chapter 10 of James and John coming to Jesus. A closer look at the structure of the text however reveals that we usually overlook the second part of the story that Mark placed their to illustrate Christ’s teaching.

3. Formation of Servant Leaders Another look at Mark 10:35-52 reveals an amazing array of insights about leadership Mark masterfully highlights Christ’s teaching about leadership by arranging it between two stories The parallels and contrasts in these stories put flesh on the teaching of Jesus about Servant Leadership AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 3

4. Structure of the Text AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 4

5. Parallels (in both stories) Someone came to Jesus There is asking Jesus responds by asking a question Someone hears Son(s) of . . . Jesus is seen as king Someone gets upset at somebody AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 5

6. The Parallels Show us that the two stories go together The problem: Story 1 Christ’s learning intervention: the Teaching The demonstration: Story 2 AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 6

7. The Teaching Leadership is not “sitting” or “lording it over” people or “exercising authority over” NOT SO WITH YOU! Intentional correction: Instead . . . (verse 43) Leadership is serving Serving is giving your life for those you lead AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 7

8. The Contrasts Sitting Story 1: Leadership seen as sitting Teaching: “Sitting” is “lording it over” (NOT SO!) Story 2: Leadership as ministering to those left behind (sitting) at the road of life Christ’s Different Response to the Request Results Story 1: Anger Story 2: Healing & Following Jesus 8 The contrasts reveal the Christ’s approach to leadership which was based on a totally different mindset. It was not only a different leadership style, but a different heart-approach to leadership resulting in markedly different results. Notice that Jesus faced problems and tensions in both stories. If you want to train leaders you may have to be willing to disappoint expectations (first James and John, then all the 12) – NOT SO AMONG YOU! And you may have to disappoint crowds vying for your favors by modeling unexpected behaviors: challenging mindsets and redirecting priorities (US: “The poor are just lazy and deserve what they got!” India: “The poor deserve their Karma!” Disciples: “A blind man should not interrupt the journey of the Messiah.”)The contrasts reveal the Christ’s approach to leadership which was based on a totally different mindset. It was not only a different leadership style, but a different heart-approach to leadership resulting in markedly different results. Notice that Jesus faced problems and tensions in both stories. If you want to train leaders you may have to be willing to disappoint expectations (first James and John, then all the 12) – NOT SO AMONG YOU! And you may have to disappoint crowds vying for your favors by modeling unexpected behaviors: challenging mindsets and redirecting priorities (US: “The poor are just lazy and deserve what they got!” India: “The poor deserve their Karma!” Disciples: “A blind man should not interrupt the journey of the Messiah.”)

9. Servant Leadership The two stories show two models of leadership 1. Sitting / “lording it over” Result (story 1): anger among the disciples Result (story 2): preventing the destitute to reach Jesus 2. Serving / giving life / walking with Result: Disciples become instruments of ministry instead of obstacles for people to reach Jesus Result: Healing makes it possible to follow Jesus AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 9

10. Mark 10:35-37: The Problem 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." 38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 10

11. Verses 38-41: The Problem 39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared." 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 11

12. Mark 10:42-45: The Teaching 42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must 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 as a ransom for many." AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 12

13. Verses 46-48: The Demo 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" AUA, 2/5/2012 Erich Baumgartner, PhD, Andrews University 13

14. Verses 49-52: The Demo 49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." 52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 14