Although it may not be possible to completely separate authority from leadership, I do not believe this to be the way.

There was a certain moment in Jesus’ ministry when He warns his followers not to get a position of authority mixed up with the call to lead.

‘But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”’ (Matthew 20:25-28)

Since they ran the risk of making this mistake, Jesus promptly made a distinction between how He wanted them to lead and the way things normally work in the world.

“Yet it shall not be so among you…”, said Jesus (Matthew 20:26)

But what does “it shall not be so” mean, in regards to the leadership to which Jesus is referring to? It is the type of leader that seeks authority for their own personal gain.

On the contrary, Jesus argues that the best leaders; those who embrace His vision of leadership, will lead as servants conscious of their responsibilities and responding to a divine CALLING.

Do you want to be the leader “It shall not be so among you”? I hope so.

I know how it is and what it feels like to use the weapons of authority to make people move, but Jesus tells us that there is another way – a better way.

Even if you have authority and a position of leadership, an inspirational leader doesn’t need to take advantage of that authority.

The “It shall not be so among you…” type of leader learns that there are ways of cultivating influence and of building trust.

Jesus tells us that this is the most powerful way to lead and we can exercise it with or without authority.

What are you doing today to cultivate influence?

Authority is not leadership. Influence, yes this is indeed leadership.

God bless you all.

Collaborated by: Bishop Carlos Alberto Pinho