REV. TAMUNOIBI ROGERS MILLER (08037718335)
revtr.miller@yahoo.com; revrandymiller66@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION: There is a spirit to the diaconate ministry. It is the spirit of servanthood. That is the kind of mind that should be in the life of all Christian ministers. Deacons like all Christians leaders are called to exercise leadership as servants and stewards sharing authority with their followers and affirming that leadership is primarily ministry to others, modelling for others, and mutual membership with others in Christ’s body. Deacon leadership ought to be reflective of the model that Jesus advocated the servant leadership style. The term servant leadership describes those whose primary desire is to serve others first before any ancillary aspiration to lead. We are all called to serve.
The account in 3 John 3 significantly provides us with insight into what this spirit is. It is the spirit that characterised Gaius and Demetrius. It also provides us with a picture of what that spirit is not as seen in Diotrephes. We shall consider the negative spirit of this leader of the Church at his time as found in the text we read. We are called to avoid such negative spirit that is anti-servant leadership life.
THE NEGETIVE SPIRIT OF DIOTREPHES TO AVOID
- Individualistic Spirit (v.9): People who are fixated on their desires can never be leaders and especially deacons who will please God. Such persons are usually consumed by their principles, perceptions, purposes, plans, and patterns. They are not ready to accept or respect the direction of others, including those who lead them. Such persons are unable to offer genuine service. As much as they try, they are frustrated when the spotlight is on anyone else other than themselves. Paul said to the Church in Philippi to put on the attitude of Christ in Philippians 2:5-8
- Impertinent Spirit (v.9): Diotrephes refused to acknowledge the authority of John. He rejected instruction. He held his opinion above those of the apostles and promoted his position against that of John. Diotrephes claimed to be his own authority. He saw himself as too important to obey the instructions sent to him. His attitude was impudent. Bad deacons are impertinent, rude and arrogant. They consistently display disrespectful behaviour. They privately disdain others while publicly denigrating some.
- Insinuative Spirit ( v.10): Diotrephes was spreading false information about the apostle. He was deliberately damaging the reputation of “the Elder”. Malicious gossip was his weapon of choice. He was talking nonsense and speaking wickedly with baseless and spiteful charges. He was using hateful words, promoting dislike, inciting a crisis and instigating rebellion against John. When people insinuate, they practice the art of negative utterances against those they should support.
- Inhospitable Spirit (v.10): Diotrephes rejected other ministers. He was hostile to them and would not let them be received in the Church fellowship. He was unfriendly, unwelcome, cold, and unreceptive. Diotrephes was ill-disposed, unteachable, intolerant, and stubborn. He refused to offer warmth and fellowship. Instead, he denied them companionship or camaraderie. He had no open doors for them.
- Inhibiting Spirit (v.10) : Diotrephes prevented other believers from obeying instructions. He trampled upon the freewill of other people and made them do what he wanted. Refusal to agree with him had only one result , some form of excommunication. He was committed to being a hindrance to those who tried to act differently. Those who have inhibitive spirits demonstrate, resist and rebel.
- Injurious Spirit (v. 10): Diotrephes had an injurious spirit he was vindictive and spiteful. His actions hurt John, hurt others. He had a resentful spirit. Those who have this kind of mind are persistently wounding others, breaking the hearts of those who count on them and damaging otherwise fruitful relationships. They are often emotionally scarred and unconsciously seek to share that by scaring others. Any deacon who has a harmful spirit should be excused from serving as a deacon. They will hurt other leaders, disenfranchise other deacons, frustrate members and stifle the growth of the Church.
CONCLUSION: Anyonewho desires to be deacon must understand that the spirit that governs the life and ministry of the deacon differs from the pattern of the world. When a person is chosen to serve, there must be no ambiguity about what kind of spirit will govern their exercise of ministry. That spirit is the servant spirit.