When the people of Jerusalem were conspiring against the prophet Jeremiah they described what they were looking for in leadership: instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. The mother of James and John wants her sons to be “in the room where it happens” since she, apparenly sees leadership as having authority. As I look at the way the young men are going through their formation process it seems those characteristics of leadership are still valued. The seminarians are instructed in theology, they learn pastoral counselling, they are trained as preachers to deliver the right message, they develop skills in management. However, when Jesus thought about leadership he had a different criterion. Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant. The true leader for Jesus is the one who offers humble service. What would a seminary look like if we trained our young men for such service?
