Jesus came to serve. We have been called upon to serve one another;
to serve the present age. We often sing together: "Make me a servant, humble and meek." Sounds simple enough.
to serve the present age. We often sing together: "Make me a servant, humble and meek." Sounds simple enough.
But Duane Elmer in his book “Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility” suggests that the main thing that hinders our service may be a superior attitude. Elmer writes:
“I am often guilty of a superior attitude. Submerged deep within me, this attitude can be evasive and hard to identity. I quickly rationalize and deny its presence. Usually superiority appears in disguises that pretend to be virtues – virtues such as:
- I need to correct their errors (meaning I have superior knowledge; a corner on truth.)
- My education has equipped me to know what is best for you (so let me do most of the talking while you do most of the listening and changing).
- I am here to help you (so do as I say.)
- I can be your spiritual mentor (so I am your role model.)
Elmer concludes: "These and other so-called virtues corrupt our attempts to serve others."
- Let me disciple you, equip you, train you (often perceived as ‘let me make you into a clone of myself)”
Upon reading Elmer’s “confessions” I realized (I must confess!) I am guilty of similar attitudes. Lord, give me a servant’s heart and a servant’s spirit. May my service look more and more like yours . . . kenosis . . . emptied of self. (Phil. 2). This is the work of Christ’s Spirit within us.
About the author
Duane H. Elmer (Ph.D., Michigan State U.) is director of the Ph.D. program in educational studies and is the G. W. Aldeen Chair of International Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. In addition to traveling and teaching in over 75 countries, he has provided cross-cultural training to Fortune 500 companies, relief and development agencies, mission organizations, churches and educational institutions.
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About the author
Duane H. Elmer (Ph.D., Michigan State U.) is director of the Ph.D. program in educational studies and is the G. W. Aldeen Chair of International Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. In addition to traveling and teaching in over 75 countries, he has provided cross-cultural training to Fortune 500 companies, relief and development agencies, mission organizations, churches and educational institutions.
He has also conducted peace and reconciliation efforts in several countries. Recently, he led faculty development workshops at over 25 European and Middle Eastern schools on the theme of Teaching for Transformation. He has taught at Durban Bible College (Durban, South Africa), Michigan State University and Wheaton College and Graduate School.
To view other books by this author click HERE
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