To Lead is to Serve

Last night, I had the opportunity to be on the other side of the table and serve alongside one of our devoted volunteers. I’ve learned a lot this year about that word, “serve.” It is actually the word God gave me for 2026. As leaders, we can believe that as we grow and lead, we can outgrow roles of manual labor and service, but I’ve learned this year that's false. We must be willing to jump in, do the dishes, clean bathrooms, set up tables and chairs, whatever it takes to serve the body. Because in these simple acts of service, we show love. We meet people right where they are, across the table, in the moment, serving a meal, a cup of coffee, a smile - just like Jesus did.  Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45. He modeled this by washing his disciples' feet, and then dying a death that I deserved.
If I want to be more like Jesus, then I can never outgrow “serving.” To lead is to serve.