Among our Gospel Values must be that of inclusiveness.   According to John’s Gospel God loved “the world” and therefore sent His Son, and according to Paul we are “all one in Christ Jesus”. Therefore those who aspire to leadership among us need to be inclusive people.  Over the years Churches have colluded with society’s tendency to divide people. There were invisible barriers put in place that blocked the progress of women and black people.  We have reserved leadership to middle aged people and failed to make provision for disabled people.

Yet our Gospel values tell us that everyone matters to God.  If that is true then we have to reflect that in how we live.   We need to make sure that space is made within our leadership teams for those who are different, whatever forms that difference takes. The purpose is to make sure that the potential of all God’s people is realised, but also to make sure that the decisions made by God’s people are informed by the full range of life experiences, as well as the Biblical models and the outcome of our prayers.

We must also ensure that our life practice reflects our values.  We need in leadership those who have a concern for poor people. We need to be active on behalf of those who have little, who are homeless, unemployed, lonely and in poor health. We must be advocates for those who are at risk, children, asylum seekers, elderly people, in fact for all those who are marginalised and discriminated against.

Those who are the servant leaders among us need to be those who can sense the plight of others and create a welcoming environment for them.

Barrie Smith