Where did we get this idea from? It’s like we want all the perks of leadership while keeping a humble attitude, instead of just being a servant. In popular culture I think we call these “ministers”, like the Minister of Education or in Canada, the Prime Minister, which you’d hope would mean servant.

I asked ChatGPT the difference between servants and ministers. Predictably, they started out meaning the same thing, then “minister” flipped to be the opposite:

• “Servant” originates from the Latin “serviens,” meaning “serving,” which is derived from the verb “servire,” meaning “to serve.” Over time, it evolved to refer to individuals who perform duties or tasks for others, often in a subordinate position.
• “Minister” comes from the Latin “minister,” meaning “servant” or “attendant,” which is derived from “ministerium,” meaning “service” or “office.” In ancient Rome, a “minister” referred to someone who served in a subordinate capacity, but over time, the term became associated with religious and political leaders who held positions of authority and responsibility.

Seems to me like “servant leadership” has the same problem. Can’t we just be servants, like Paul?

• She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God” – Acts 16:17
• Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle – Romans 1:1
• What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. – 1 Co 3:5
• Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus – Php 1:1
• This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. – Col 1:23
• Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ – Titus 1:1