How many times have you come across people who expect a different standard from others to that which they themselves demonstrate?
It’s the height of hypocrisy, especially for those in leadership positions.
In recent years, there has been a welcome increase in the level of professional supervision being undertaken by a wide range of workers in supervisory roles.
I personally have been doing this for more than eight years, and it gives me a chance to debrief and be accountable for my thoughts, attitudes and actions as I review my performance as a church leader.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, urged them to ‘Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.’
That’s a huge call: how many of us would be happy to declare publicly that people should imitate us?
Sure, most of us try hard to be a good example to others, but are we a reliable measuring stick for setting standards?
The Apostle Paul also wrote a couple of letters to his young protégé, Timothy, which are recorded in the New Testament.
In them, Paul shows how he mentored young Timothy and then put him in charge of the church in Ephesus, which is in modern-day Türkiye.
Setting an example for others is important. Role models can make a huge difference in people’s lives, both for good and for ill.
Paul demonstrated that and was able to say to Timothy, and us, ‘Do as I do.’ Paul’s life was transparent, and he was happy to be accountable for it.
Mentors and life coaches have become increasingly popular, and that is a good thing. But they don’t have to be professionals.
Each of us has the opportunity to be a positive influence in another person’s life. We see it in clubs like Scouts, Guides, schools, sporting clubs, etc, and we see it in churches where multi-generational interactions are encouraged.
When I lived in Arnhem Land, I was delighted to see how the Aboriginal people I worked with respected their elders. Their wisdom was sought and valued.
Young people were mentored from an early age, and they eventually graduated to become elders in their own right. It was a great honour there to be referred to as ‘old man’ or ‘old lady’.
When it happened to me, my children were amused, but I was humbled and honoured. My grey hair and longevity had become a badge of honour.
That experience made me see that everyone should be in a two-way mentoring relationship. We should be mentoring a younger person while also seeking the wisdom of older people.
By mentoring others, we leave a legacy that outlasts anything we can build or accumulate. But it takes time and commitment.
We may also find ourselves investing in people from whom we won’t gain any benefit, nor see the results of that investment in our lifetime.
In the musical Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton says: “A legacy is planting seeds in a garden you will never see.” That’s a great analogy and an excellent guiding principle. If we really value people, we will care about their future and wellbeing, not our egos.
That guiding principle finds its roots in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Despite being God in flesh, He humbled himself by serving fallen humanity by sacrificing himself on a Roman cross so that others may live life to the full.
Jesus’ legacy was eternal life for all who accept His offer of salvation.
That’s a life worth imitating, and it is documented in the gospel accounts by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Why not read one today? See biblegateway.com
Rev Phil Zamagias
Christ Church Anglican, Echuca
15°C