Episode 1210
What Kind of Leader Does God Actually Call Us to Be? Rethinking Power and Humility | 1 Peter 5:1-5
The salient point of this podcast episode revolves around the concept of leadership devoid of ego, as articulated in the reading from First Peter 5. We delve into the significance of leading through service rather than dominance, emphasizing that true leadership is characterized by humility and presence rather than authority and control. The discussion elucidates the notion that effective leaders, akin to shepherds, are not positioned above their followers but rather walk alongside them, fostering an environment of collaboration and mutual respect. We explore practical action steps that listeners can undertake to embody this leadership style in their daily lives, thereby enriching their communities through selfless service. Ultimately, this episode encourages a reflective examination of our own leadership practices in light of these principles, promoting a theology of leadership that profoundly transforms relationships within various spheres of influence.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of leadership characterized by humility and service rather than dominance.
- Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their roles and lead by example, fostering a collaborative environment.
- The reading from first Peter highlights the significance of caring for others with diligence and compassion.
- A progressive interpretation of biblical texts challenges traditional hierarchies within religious institutions, promoting equality.
- Practical action steps are provided, urging individuals to engage in humble acts of service without seeking recognition.
- The overarching goal of the podcast is to disseminate the teachings of the Bible to a wider audience by 2028.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
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Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the Message version Relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgodddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading.
Speaker B:Reading today from first Peter 5:1:5 from the message he'll promote you at the right time I have a special concern for you church leaders.
Speaker B:I know what it's like to be a leader in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory.
Speaker B:Here's my that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd, not because you have to, but because you want to please God.
Speaker B:Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously.
Speaker B:Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.
Speaker B:When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly.
Speaker B:And you who are younger must follow your leaders.
Speaker B:But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other.
Speaker B:For God has had it with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people.
Speaker B:Great reading.
Speaker B:Love that last line especially.
Speaker B:So let's talk about this passage here.
Speaker B:We're just reading about leadership without without ego.
Speaker B:And so let's just get into a couple of points to to ponder about this point to ponder.
Speaker B:Number one Fellow elder.
Speaker B:It says the posture that changes everything.
Speaker B:I don't want you to miss how Peter starts this passage of Scripture.
Speaker B:He doesn't say to the elders, I appeal as an apostle.
Speaker B:An apostle of one another follows Christ but wants to extend the mission of Christ.
Speaker B:So he's not trying to pull rank here.
Speaker A:I'm an apostle and you're not.
Speaker B:He says, I appeal to you as a fellow elder.
Speaker B:Fellow that is alongside.
Speaker B:I'm one of you.
Speaker B:We're in this together.
Speaker B:And this is kind of A big deal.
Speaker B:Peter could have flexed his credentials, as it were, because, you know, he's literally one of the 12, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.
Speaker B:He walked with Jesus.
Speaker B:He had every reason to lead from a position to, hey, listen to me, because I was there.
Speaker B:I am who I am.
Speaker B:Instead, he leads from the position of listening because I'm walking beside you.
Speaker B:And a progressive reading of this text takes that seriously because so much of institutions overall and institutional religion is built on a hierarchy.
Speaker B:Clergy above laity, pastors among people, us up here, you down there.
Speaker B:And Peter, one of the original pillars of the church, refuses to play that game.
Speaker B:He says, where we, we are shepherds, but we're also a part of the flock.
Speaker B:We're also the sheep.
Speaker B:We're fellow travelers, fellow strugglers, fellow sheep.
Speaker B:And that is a theology of leadership that changes everything.
Speaker B:It means that the person preaching isn't above the person listening.
Speaker B:It means the wisest voice in your life is probably someone who's walking with you, not standing over you.
Speaker B:And if you're in any kind of position of leadership, I'm a former pastor, for instance.
Speaker B:Pastor, parent, coach, teacher, boss, political leader.
Speaker B:That's the first rule here at this passage.
Speaker B:Get off your platform, get off your high horse, sometimes said, and be among, be on ground, be on the level with other people.
Speaker B:Stand in the circle, point to ponder number two, not lording it over, that's the kind of power that Jesus rejected.
Speaker B:Verse 3 is where Peter gets very direct about this.
Speaker B:Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being example to the flock.
Speaker B:That phrase lording it over, it's the kind of language that Jesus uses really fairly often in the Gospels when he said to the gentile rulers, lord it over people, but not so with you.
Speaker B:In other words, the way the world does power is not the way the kingdom of God does power.
Speaker B:The world says leadership is about control, visibility, dominance, power.
Speaker B:Jesus says leadership is about service, presence and love.
Speaker B:Now, this can get a little bit uncomfortable because we have so normalized, unhealthy power relationships.
Speaker B:Hey, we do that in the church, we do that in our workplaces.
Speaker B:We do it in government, politics, all kinds of places.
Speaker B:Loud voices often dominate quiet ones.
Speaker B:Credentials, silence, experience, because I said so becomes the phrase instead of, hey, let me listen to you.
Speaker B:And Peter says this, that's just not the way Jesus did it.
Speaker B:That's not the Jesus.
Speaker B:The Jesus way is modeling, be an example, not a boss.
Speaker B:And my cancer related podcasts, people I admire aren't the ones who always have, you know, kind of the fancy platforms, you know, doctors or leaders, this kind of thing on the fancy side.
Speaker B:They're the ones who kind of caretakers show from week to week, walk along somebody who's a little scared and who's going through some tough times.
Speaker B:Not the people in the spotlight, no applause, just presence.
Speaker B:And that's real leadership.
Speaker B:That's a crown that doesn't fade.
Speaker B:Then Peter adds this really kind of beautiful line in verse 5.
Speaker B:Clothe yourself with humility toward one another.
Speaker B:Love that.
Speaker B:Not just toward God, towards each other.
Speaker B:Because humility isn't a vertical virtue, it's a horizontal one.
Speaker B:It's how we treat the person across the table, across the aisle, across the fence, across the border.
Speaker B:Hmm.
Speaker B:Points to ponder.
Speaker B:Here's your action step.
Speaker B:One thing for you to do today.
Speaker B:Find a way to lead by serving.
Speaker B:And don't tell anybody about it.
Speaker B:Maybe it's by picking up a task at work that nobody else really wants to do.
Speaker B:You know what I'm talking about.
Speaker B:Sometimes those things has got to be done.
Speaker B:Just do it.
Speaker B:Maybe it's doing a chore at home without having to be asked.
Speaker B:I need to learn that lesson, according to my wife.
Speaker B:Maybe it's mentoring somebody quietly without any accolades.
Speaker B:Maybe simply answer the question from your child.
Speaker B:Maybe it's offering some encouragement to someone who just needs a good word, a word of encouragement.
Speaker B:Make a space for their voice instead of your own.
Speaker B:No announcements, no credit, just humble service humelity.
Speaker B:That's the kind of leadership Peter is describing.
Speaker B:And honestly, in the world we live in, we're kind of desperate for that kind of leadership right now, aren't we?
Speaker B:We're going to come back and have a prayer here in just a second.
Speaker B:I did want you to know that we have a great resource for you called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker B:It's designed to help you with your at home Bible study.
Speaker B:Please pick it up@voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.
Speaker B:God help me.
Speaker B:Lead by serving, love by listening and wear humility like my favorite old shirt today.
Speaker B:Keep my eagle small and my heart wide open.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your daily Bible refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
