Rev. Langkhanthang Lianzaw
My personal philosophy of Christian ministry as a minister or servant of God is greatly influenced by my calling. I became a Christian, although the call was very clear it was not specific, a kind of abstract with relation to the job matters. God did not show me miles ahead of the future. He, rather simply entreated me, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may after accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior on October 12, 1991, and then subsequently, God called me to be His full-time servant in April 1993. Alease him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:3-4). Literally speaking, my call is not position, fame, recognition, etc., but simply to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. The essence of my personal Christian philosophy is deeply rooted in my calling’s background.
My personal philosophy of Christian ministry could be analyzed under the following three main headings: (1) It is a servant hood ministry, (2) it is by God’s grace alone, and (3) godly living cannot escape hardship or persecution. A Christian philosophy of servant ministry is not to lead but being led by the Holy Spirit so that he can lead! In other words, he does not lead according to the secular world leadership perspectives; that led by their brains, but rather is being led by the Master (Jesus), and then leads accordingly. Here the factor or principle that makes them lead is enormously important. On the other hand, relevant questions that strike me are: Am I sure about my destination where I am leading to, and is it that my ultimate destination is secure and lasting? The differences between the secular world leaders and Christian ministry leaders is that secular leaders are not certain about where they are leading to, but the Christian leaders are sure about the future and emphasize the unshakable final destination–which is in Christ Jesus.
Our confidence, as a servant, is that we have a model to follow. We are confident because our source is not in ourselves; Jesus is not only our Savior, but also our Lord in our daily living, and our model in pursuit of our leadership. If not, what would be the nature of our leadership roles suppose to look like? It is a servant leadership. Jesus, on whom our leadership model is based, said, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And, whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45). Christian leadership is not about me but it is all about Him. The churches in the 21st century need men and women who will stop following the world’s concept of leadership and adopt Jesus’ teachings and example of servant leadership. A servant did not normally do things by his own and for himself. His utmost commitment is to the task his master assigned to him and he fulfills it according to the master’s will and desires. When we observe Jesus’ life while on earth, we see He was first a servant to the Father and accomplished the mission according to His will (John 4:34). A servant did not have his own agenda. There is no point of self-recognition and self-alleviation in servant ministry. They cannot have it, even though they wished to, because the Master said, “If anyone desire to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). Jesus never made a promise with suitable rewards and fame, but simply asked to deny oneself and follow Him.
J. Oswald Sander’s spiritual and secular leadership attribute differences of the following were enormously helpful to examine servant ministry leadership perspectives.
Secular/Fleshy Spiritual
Self-confident Confidence in God
Knows men Also knows God
Makes own decisions Seeks God’s will
Ambitious Humble
Creates methods Follows God’s examples
Enjoys command Delights in obedience to God
Seeks personal rewards Loves God and others
Independent Depends on God.
Jesus’ leadership empowered others to live out God’s plan, and not their own agendas. A servant leader serves the mission and leads by serving those on mission with Him. The whole process of Jesus’ servant leadership in His lifetime was equipping the disciples. A servant leader equips others, knowing that God gave them different gifts to all – “some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some Pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). Paul admonished young Timothy with the idea of equipping the saints as, “commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Jesus’ model of ministry was a team spirit. Jesus sent out his disciples, “calling the twelve to Him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits” (Mk. 6:7). The first reaction of the team ministry is this: “We are in this together.” Team ministry starts when those on the team sense that they are together for a reason greater than themselves. The legacy of true servant ministry leadership is the one who could successfully equip others and make them to work together after them.
Ministry vocational calling and spiritual growth and maturity are both under the provision of God’s grace alone. Nobody can claim nor be boastful of what they were in their ministry. Ministerial calling is not at all on the basis of one’s qualification. No one can ever serve the Lord without being called or no one is ever called on the ground of his or her personal qualities. Our vocational Christian ministry is by His grace. Jesus did not call His disciples from the high-class citizens but rather from among the lower citizens, who were mostly fishermen by profession (Mk. 1:16-20). God is not short of men to serve Him. God’s call for me and my entire spiritual journey thus far is by His grace alone. Paul identified himself as the least among the apostles and even considered himself unworthy to be called an apostle (1 Cor. 15:8-9). God appreciated only a broken spirit and a contrite heart leadership (Ps. 51:17). God’s greatness and power was never manifested through and in the strengths and wisdom of human beings. The foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Cor. 1:25). God usually used insignificant things to confound the world’s wisdom and might (1 Cor. 1:27-28). So, good spiritual leaders are shepherds, not saviors; leaders, not lords; guides, not gods. Jesus Christ is our ultimate theme of leadership ministry. It is in fact, that the spirit of grace develops the fruits of grace in the life of the servant leader who leads by grace. A spiritual leader’s heart is utterly devoted to or focused upon God. Our spiritual gifts as a Christian leader are grace gifts for His glory and the edification of His body, the Church (1 Peter 4:10). Everything that we do and we are today, as Christian vocational leaders or ministers, is by His grace alone. No one serves the Lord with a sense of self-worth and potential personality.
My third point of personal philosophy with regards to ministry is the secret of joy in suffering and persecution. While the contemporary so called charismatic Christians emphasize the positive and good side God, for instance miracle healings, claiming riches, wealth, power and health, etc. etc., yet I am still personally convinced that suffering and persecution has purpose and meaning in Christian life. As much as one claims the good side as a blessing and victory over it, so also the curse and suffering part is a blessing and victory in Christian life. Paul strongly argued that “all who desire to live godly in Christ cannot escape persecution.” In spite of countless problems and severe suffering in life, God’s grace is sufficient and it surpassed all things for a Christian living (2 Cor. 12:9). God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. There is pleasure and power in our infirmities. We are to follow Christ without the camp. God calls leaders to follow Him down a path that is not attractive, easy, pleasant, popular because it leads to “without the camp” (Heb. 13:13). A spiritual leader is regardless of what circumstances prevails, one who determines that he will follow after Jesus Christ in his daily living, so also a Christian leader is an example to his fellow members and friends.
Besides all the points mentioned above, God’s empowerment and guidance in my spiritual journey thus far is one step at a time. God never showed me two steps or many miles ahead of time. If I am faithful and bold enough to step up by faith in what God wants me to be, then and only then God has show what the next step, which was normally higher than before. Plans, visions and strategies to work out the things that are the practical side of the ministry are the outcomes of what God sowed in our life as a minister and spiritual leaders. So, my personal philosophy of ministry is to suffer as a good soldier of Christ and learn the greatness and secret power in suffering and persecution for Christ. To bloom wherever God plants me. The greatest ministry is not what I do and say, but what I am and how I am!
Self-confident Confidence in God
Knows men Also knows God
Makes own decisions Seeks God’s will
Ambitious Humble
Creates methods Follows God’s examples
Enjoys command Delights in obedience to God
Seeks personal rewards Loves God and others
Independent Depends on God.
Jesus’ leadership empowered others to live out God’s plan, and not their own agendas. A servant leader serves the mission and leads by serving those on mission with Him. The whole process of Jesus’ servant leadership in His lifetime was equipping the disciples. A servant leader equips others, knowing that God gave them different gifts to all – “some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some Pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). Paul admonished young Timothy with the idea of equipping the saints as, “commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Jesus’ model of ministry was a team spirit. Jesus sent out his disciples, “calling the twelve to Him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits” (Mk. 6:7). The first reaction of the team ministry is this: “We are in this together.” Team ministry starts when those on the team sense that they are together for a reason greater than themselves. The legacy of true servant ministry leadership is the one who could successfully equip others and make them to work together after them.
Ministry vocational calling and spiritual growth and maturity are both under the provision of God’s grace alone. Nobody can claim nor be boastful of what they were in their ministry. Ministerial calling is not at all on the basis of one’s qualification. No one can ever serve the Lord without being called or no one is ever called on the ground of his or her personal qualities. Our vocational Christian ministry is by His grace. Jesus did not call His disciples from the high-class citizens but rather from among the lower citizens, who were mostly fishermen by profession (Mk. 1:16-20). God is not short of men to serve Him. God’s call for me and my entire spiritual journey thus far is by His grace alone. Paul identified himself as the least among the apostles and even considered himself unworthy to be called an apostle (1 Cor. 15:8-9). God appreciated only a broken spirit and a contrite heart leadership (Ps. 51:17). God’s greatness and power was never manifested through and in the strengths and wisdom of human beings. The foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Cor. 1:25). God usually used insignificant things to confound the world’s wisdom and might (1 Cor. 1:27-28). So, good spiritual leaders are shepherds, not saviors; leaders, not lords; guides, not gods. Jesus Christ is our ultimate theme of leadership ministry. It is in fact, that the spirit of grace develops the fruits of grace in the life of the servant leader who leads by grace. A spiritual leader’s heart is utterly devoted to or focused upon God. Our spiritual gifts as a Christian leader are grace gifts for His glory and the edification of His body, the Church (1 Peter 4:10). Everything that we do and we are today, as Christian vocational leaders or ministers, is by His grace alone. No one serves the Lord with a sense of self-worth and potential personality.
My third point of personal philosophy with regards to ministry is the secret of joy in suffering and persecution. While the contemporary so called charismatic Christians emphasize the positive and good side God, for instance miracle healings, claiming riches, wealth, power and health, etc. etc., yet I am still personally convinced that suffering and persecution has purpose and meaning in Christian life. As much as one claims the good side as a blessing and victory over it, so also the curse and suffering part is a blessing and victory in Christian life. Paul strongly argued that “all who desire to live godly in Christ cannot escape persecution.” In spite of countless problems and severe suffering in life, God’s grace is sufficient and it surpassed all things for a Christian living (2 Cor. 12:9). God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. There is pleasure and power in our infirmities. We are to follow Christ without the camp. God calls leaders to follow Him down a path that is not attractive, easy, pleasant, popular because it leads to “without the camp” (Heb. 13:13). A spiritual leader is regardless of what circumstances prevails, one who determines that he will follow after Jesus Christ in his daily living, so also a Christian leader is an example to his fellow members and friends.
Besides all the points mentioned above, God’s empowerment and guidance in my spiritual journey thus far is one step at a time. God never showed me two steps or many miles ahead of time. If I am faithful and bold enough to step up by faith in what God wants me to be, then and only then God has show what the next step, which was normally higher than before. Plans, visions and strategies to work out the things that are the practical side of the ministry are the outcomes of what God sowed in our life as a minister and spiritual leaders. So, my personal philosophy of ministry is to suffer as a good soldier of Christ and learn the greatness and secret power in suffering and persecution for Christ. To bloom wherever God plants me. The greatest ministry is not what I do and say, but what I am and how I am!
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