a l i v e & a w a k e

The Minga is a group of people who join together to acheive a common goal, but the goal is one that benefits solely others, not themselves. Most times, thoser involved in the Minga will never see reap the practical rewards of their labour. That's servanthood: it's where you give of yourself in order to see someone else succeed.

Leaders are servants, and the greatest leader will be the servant of all. Those who wish to exert influence need to see their influence solely as making someone better. There is no place for personal development or fame as the motivation in the heart of a true servant. Self-seeking leaders are stumbling blocks while true servant are stepping stones. One gets in the way of people, the other gets under people to lift them up.

As a corporate group (or a team) that wishes to serve God, servanthood means shifting from a "God Bless our plans" to a "God reveal to us your plans". We don't come to God to have our agenda validated, but instead, we come to God seek His will and then to obediently follow it. Too many organizations have become presumptious in their approach to ministry, thinking that God Almighty will back them, just because they are Christians (how much of history would have been different if only people had caught this attitude?). Instead we look to Jesus, who was the greatest servant of all, because He laid His life down for all Mankind, in obedience to His Father. His whole passion was to "do the will of the One who sent Me".

Individually this principle means I must address and challenge the motivating attitude in my heart. Do I do things to validate myself or my ministry? Am I doing it to pad my resume? Am I doing only what is on my agenda?

When in place, servanthood is clearly evident and the results are incredible. You will always know when a servant has entered a room, because everyone around them suddenly becomes better.

Jon