Families can have leaders who other members of the family go to for advice. That used to be the case in many families, but today, some families live miles apart and so cannot always meet. Either that or the pace of life today does not always allow for meetings between families. Of course, we have video links where we can talk to our loved ones but it’s not the same as being in their presence.

Can democracies be like dictatorships? Yes, because if you have a government that keeps winning elections you end up with an elected dictatorship. Can dictaorships be democratic? Well, the answer maybe yes, as long as that democracy suits the ruling class.

Jesus in his views on leadership was very much going against the tide. Both the Romans and the Jews were hierarchical dictatorships. The Roman Emperor was a hereditary Monarch who ruled parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Most Roman Emperors were despotic, and twisted individuals. There were some good Emperors but that was not the norm. The senate was democractic but that was the only form where people could elect a senator.

The Jews in the person of Herod had a puppet King put in place by the Romans. The King could do what he liked (as long as the Romans were happy). Often it was an abuse of power and the Jewish people were stuck with a despotic, power-mad monarch.

The times Jesus lived in were hard for the poor and comfortable for the fantastically rich whether Jewish, Roman, or whatever (not unlike the times we live in).

From the time Jesus was born until he was executed on the cross, he always identified with the poor and downtrodden. Christ was and is a living example of how to treat those around you if you are a leader. Humility, a life of service, a life of compassion, but also a life of positive straight talking.

Jesus before he ascended instructed those who would follow him to be an example to others. So to sum up Christian leadership whether it be in the church or in the secular world should seek to emulate Jesus, in the same way that all who profess Christ as Lord and Saviour must do the same.

God bless you

Nick x.