Veteran pastor and Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll communicated the need for servant leaders in a timely message to pastors. Utilizing I Corinthians 4:1-2, Swindoll highlighted the words “servants” and “stewards” to point out the proper role of pastors who wish to fulfill their calling in Christ. He noted that the term “servant” in the Greek means “under-rowers,” which refers to slave oarsmen in galley ships. Further, the terms “steward” in a modern rendition might mean butler or maid, someone who prepares and serves meals.

These are the pictures we must have in our minds to have a proper focus on ministry, Swindoll said. In the ship of ministry, he added, pastors must understand that “we have the joy of holding an oar and rowing.” At other times, he said, “we have the responsibility not only of rowing, but of cooking,” referring to times pastors must feed the flock through their sermons. He encouraged pastors to have dedicated times of personal study that is not interrupted by other elements of ministry to ensure that the “meals” of ministry are not hindered.

The images of servants, meal servers and oarsmen may not be flattering, Swindoll admitted, but he said it is really “a compliment” to be known as an under-rower and a servant for Jesus Christ.

Swindoll, whose “Insight for Living” radio broadcast is heard on more than 2,100 outlets worldwide, related how insufficient he felt after he assumed the presidency of Dallas Theological Seminary (1994-2001). He noted how he is not a scholar, as were the men who served in that role prior to him. But he came to realize through the hand-written message of a friend that the seminary did not need a scholar during his tenure; it needed a shepherd, a role that he was prepared to fulfill. This episode enabled him to realize the importance of becoming a faithful servant who followed God’s unique call on his life.

He urged pastors to be comfortable in the job that God has called them to do and to avoid temptations that can cause them to hope for recognition or fame. He said that such notions are the result of self pity and immaturity.
Swindoll urged pastors to deal with all forms of temptations that can hinder ministry, from sexual immorality to visions of grandeur. The focus, he reiterated, is to be a faithful servant. He referred to II Kings 5, in which Gehazi, the servant of the prophet Elisha, used deception to fleece the wealthy Naaman of some riches. Naaman had twice attempted to pay Elisha for healing him of leprosy, but Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing.” However, Gehazi’s greed got the best of him and he lied to Naaman in order to collect some money for himself. When Elisha learned of his misdeed, he said to Gehazi, “the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And Gehazi left Elisha leprous, “as white as snow.”

Swindoll closed with three points about being an upright servant:

1. Guard your imagination from thinking you are anything above what you’re called to be.
2. Avoid rationalization.
3. Ask frequently, “What is my motive for ministry?”