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Question 3

Bercot links the rise of bishops “jockeying among themselves for power” to Jesus’ teaching that greatness must look like servanthood rather than “lording it over”; what kinds of church leadership behaviors today most resemble “the rulers of the Gentiles,” and what would it cost a church—practically—for leaders to embrace Jesus’ model without exception?

Another way to ask: What church leader behaviors today look like “lording it over” people instead of serving them? What would a church have to give up or change if leaders followed Jesus’ servant model all the time?

Direct Answer Bercot’s warning suggests that leadership becomes “Gentile-like” when it pursues status, jurisdiction, and control rather than serving. Practically, embracing Jesus’ model would mean leaders giving up power contests, refusing to “lord over,” and choosing the low place even when it reduces influence.

Support from Transcript:

Bercot quotes Jesus: Gentile rulers “lorded over” others, but “it shall not be so among you… let him be your servant… your slave.”
Instead of that, “the bishops of the major cities… began jockeying among themselves for power.”
A specific example: “The bishop of Rome began claiming… he had jurisdiction over all the other churches.”
This power shift happens in the same period of spiritual cooling: the church “was beginning to lose its first love.”
Later, Constantine’s favor further elevated clergy status: bishops became “court favorites,” were honored, and even sat at the emperor’s table—conditions that can feed domination rather than servanthood.

Discussion Follow-ups What decisions would show a leadership team is choosing service over control—especially when money, honor, or influence are offered?

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