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Dad: Servant Manager
A look at life and ministry.
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Dad: Servant Manager

  05/18/10 01:38, by , Categories: Dads & Families, Theology Lived
Yesterday I talked about being a selfish onion. I talked about how hard it is to truly die to self and to keep on dying to self. I also discussed that Jesus taught that someone who wanted to lead or "be first" would need to be a servant of all. I have more and more found myself dealing with some people who have come out of a Christian environment where the father was strong to the point of dictator. The leading could be harsh, and following consisted of unquestioned submission with no exceptions. This is believed to be the "Christian" or "Biblical" way. I don't believe it. Now don't get me wrong. I believe the Bible clearly teaches that the husband/father is to be the head of the home. Wives are supposed to submit, children to obey. So often, however, our understanding of what that means and the context within which that is to take place is very lacking and often very worldly. If the husband/father is supposed to be the leader of the home, what is the Biblical model for leadership? SERVANT! If the father is the head of the home than he is the first and foremost servant. He puts the needs of his wife and his kids ahead of his own. Not the other way around. A wife submits and children obey because the husband/father serves them, not because he bosses them. This idea can be further born out (as I preached on Sunday) in 1 Timothy 3:4, "He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity..." The word "manage" there means
  • 1a) to set over
  • 1b) to be over, to superintend, preside over
  • 1c) to be a protector or guardian
  • 1c1) to give aid
  • 1d) to care for, give attention to
Do you see the flavor of that word? Yes it means that you are "over" the household, but it also holds the idea of protector, guardian, giving aid, care for, give attention too. I know of fathers who have exercised their control but have hurt their kids, have acted in uncaring ways, or have simply not paid enough attention to them. The dreaded "pastor's kid" syndrome is often the result of kids who have been given plenty of expectations, but not a lot of attention. After all, dad's busy with church. So my point is that, contrary to what some may teach, being the leader of your home is not about control, it is about servanthood. The stronger you want to be as a leader, the stronger your service and servanthood should be. To effectively manage your home, you must be a protector and guardian to the hearts of your family, giving aid, care, and attention. Then you are a husband/father. I'm working on this and each day working harder to lead my family in a way that honors God by serving them.
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A look at life and ministry.

About the Author

After growing up in Maine, Ira graduated from Bible College and wandered into Western Maine and has never found his way back out. He has a deep love for the rural churches of Maine and the people who make up this great state. He loves Truth over Tradition, Christ over Culture, and People over Process. He love to equip, teach, and disciple and longs to see the Maine church grow healthy and make disciples.


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