Leadership Style of Jesus Part III

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 23, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Our reflection for this week is Part III of the leadership style of Jesus. In the last two issues of our weekly reflection, I already presented the acrostic message for the letters LEADERS (Loving and Compassionate, Exemplary Plan and Mission, Appealing and Charismatic, Delegation and Discipleship, Elevates the status of the marginalized, Resists Temptation, Seeks the will of God). Now, let me add the next three letters HIP to finish the word LEADERSHIP.

H – Humble

John 13:2-17 tells how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. It is a great illustration on how humble Jesus was. Mark 10:35-45 is a great reminder on what kind of leader Jesus expects us to be. In these verses, James and John, the sons of Zebedee demanded a favor from Jesus that both of them should be seated in the left and right side of the glorious throne of Jesus.

These two disciples were seeking popularity and the glory attached to it. The ten disciples who heard of this request got angry. Were they angry because they too wanted to be in the right or left side, or were they angry because they know that this is not the style of Jesus? I don’t know of the answer to that question but Jesus called them together to clarify his kind of leadership. Jesus said not to be like the Gentile leaders who lord over the people instead they must become humble like a servant for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.

I – Immerses in the situation

One cannot be a good leader if he/she will not immerse him/herself in the context where he/she is leading. Jesus is our great example. John 1:14 tells us that God became human. God was incarnated in the person of Jesus. Jesus became one of us. In doing so, he knows our struggles, our fears and worries. He went through all the hardships that humans are experiencing. The importance of incarnation is that Jesus understands us.

Leaders must incarnate themselves also in his/her context and also on the lives of his/her followers. By doing so, the organization will run smoothly and without much conflict because the followers know that you are one of them. This is the reason why Jesus emphasized that we must become the “salt of the earth.” The salt can only be tasted if it is immersed and is no more to be seen. Though it cannot be seen, the taste can be found everywhere.

P – Provides space

Providing space means being open to others and welcoming mistakes. The story in Mark 9:38-41 exemplifies this kind of attitude. “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.”

The 12 disciples thought all the while that they were the only disciples of Jesus. Jesus reminded them that there are others who are working for the realization of the kingdom of God. Jesus welcomed their mistake and taught them to be open to other people. When you are open, you never lose the spirit of a learner. The saying says, “when the tree stops growing, the fruit starts to rot.”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Leadership Style of Jesus Part II

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 16, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Our reflection for this week is Part II of the leadership style of Jesus. The acrostic message for the letters LEAD (Loving and Compassionate, Exemplary Plan and Mission, Appealing and Charismatic, Delegation and Discipleship) was presented last week. Now, let me add the next three letters ERS. Next week is Part III and we will be reflecting on HIP to finish the word LEADERSHIP.

E – Elevates the status of the marginalized

Oftentimes, we look at leadership as a way to marginalize people. Some of us silently swear that when we become leaders, we will do everything in our power to diminish others. But this is not so for Jesus. Elevating the status of the marginalized was a way of life for Jesus. He not only talked to women, tax collectors, sick and poor, but gave them provisions and healing. God is a God of life. Jesus had a preferential option for the poor because the poor were dying before their time.

Lester Ruiz wrote, “Lead in such a way that when someone thinks of fairness, kindness, and integrity, he or she will remember you; Empower in such a way that when someone rises to question, to protest, or to challenge, he or she will remember you.”

R – Resists Temptation

A leader is tempted to become selfish and self-centered. The Bible knows that our human nature has the tendency to be selfish and self-centered. Jesus was tempted by the devil to become selfish and self-centered. Jesus reminded us to stay away from these temptations. What were the temptations? (Matthew 4) 1. Change stone to bread – quick economic gain through short-cuts. 2. Jump down from the top because angels will catch you – the misuse of power. 3. All the kingdoms will be given – the worship of glory.

S – Seeks the will of God

Jesus always sought the will of God. But he was also tempted to follow his own will. The prayer in the garden reminds us that even Jesus was tempted to follow his own will. But later on, he prayed “not my will but thy will be done.”

We must also reclaim the defeatist Filipino worldview that is “Bahala na.” A Centralian anthropologist, F. Landa Jocano wrote that this phrase was originally “Bathala na” or “thy will be done.” Thus, Filipinos always say “Bahala na ang Dios.” Let us dwell on the positive side of this trait. We need to develop an attitude of trust in God’s providence.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Leadership Style of Jesus

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 9, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Our reflection for this week is about the leadership style of Jesus. Let me give an acrostic message from the word LEADERSHIP. This reflection is divided into two parts. What is presented today is LEAD. Next week we will reflect on the rest of the letters.

L – Loving and Compassionate

John 15:13 states that “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” We are reminded of 1 John 3:16-18 that says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

E – Exemplary Plan and Mission

Jesus is certainly clear on his mission. The mission of Jesus is the proclamation of the Good News of the kingdom of God. Luke 4:43 says, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” After Jesus’ resurrection, he still preached for 40 days about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

A – Appealing and Charismatic

Jesus had a great charisma. He had the charm, appeal, personality, and magnet to draw the people close to him. For example, Matthew 14:15-21 tells that about five thousand excluding women and children followed him. If the number will include women and children, then the population that followed him that day would be about fifteen thousand.

Leaders should develop their personality so that they can readily influence the people and convince them to put the plan into action.

D – Delegation and Discipleship

Jesus did not do it alone. He chose 12 disciples. He only stayed on earth for about 33 years. On top of that, his public ministry lasted for 3 years only. He needed others with him.

Mark 6:7-13 and Luke 10:1-12, 17 remind us how Jesus delegated his work to his disciples. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 is a great challenged hurled by Paul to us. We should constantly disciple others so that we will not have a shortage of leaders and experience a crisis in leadership. We must remember that the reason why Christian mission is effective is because of delegation and discipleship.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

The Prayer of Jabez

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 2, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection for this week is about the life of Jabez. The story of his life can be found in two verses in the Bible – 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.

Jabez is the head of a family in Judah, noted for his honorable character. The popular explanation of his name is that his mother bore him in pain.

What can we learn from the life Jabez?

First, Jabez had a good parent. His mother brought him up in the way of God.

The Bible mentioned that the mother of Jabez bore him with great pain. This verse implies that because of the great pain, his mother made a vow to train him in the right way so that she will not regret the great pain that she suffered.

I remember my mother who once scolded me, “I bore you with great pain. Now, please behave or I will return you to my womb.”

This is a big challenge to parents – to train their children in God’s way.

Second, Jabez was declared by the Bible as an honorable person.

This tells us that Jabez found favor in the eyes of God and the people. “More honorable than his brothers” does not mean that his brothers are not honorable, but Jabez was singled out because he was probably more consistent in his godly living.

How about us? What is our reputation in the community?

Third, Jabez was a prayerful person.

Our passage tells us that Jabez “cried” out to God. Crying out to God in prayer signifies how he fervently prays to God.

How is our prayer life?

What was the result of the prayer of Jabez?

God granted the prayer of Jabez. A village was named after him. It was famous as the home of scribes. This village produced a prominent clan from which came both Caleb, Joshua's colleague, and his son-in-law, Othniel, Israel's first judge. Othniel also established a school and named it after Jabez.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

“What an Affirming Christian Church should be”

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 26, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Yesterday, the University Church of Central Philippine University celebrated its 97th Foundation year. The theme that was expounded by the speaker, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico was “Knowing, Growing, Loving, and Serving.”*

We also praise God for the just concluded Christ Emphasis Week Celebration. The numbers of those who made decisions to accept Jesus Christ are the following: College 983, Elementary 117, High School 400+.

For our reflection this week, let me share with you a poem written (Dec. 20, 2004) by Dr. Henry Florida Funtecha entitled “What an Affirming Christian Church should be.” This poem appeared in the UC Newsletter “Church Alive” last July 25, 2010.

“We want a church that welcomes people

Whatever their beliefs are, even if they belong to other religious persuasions.

We desire a church that makes one feel at home

Whatever his/her socio-economic status in life is.

We admire a church that welcomes people wherever they may be in their faith journey

Believer or agnostic, conventional Christian or questioning skeptic.

We prefer a church that is open to the ideas and experiences

that people attending its services can bring.

We love a church that reflects God’s own love for humanity.

We believe that, as a church, the way members treat one another

is more important than the doctrines they hold.

We think that it is vital to take seriously the intellectual problems

which many people have with Christianity,

and encourage ways of understanding religion which feeds the mind as well as the soul.

We submit that a church must be concerned with injustice and suffering,

and see itself as a community helping to build a better world,

bring hope to those whom Jesus called the least of His brothers and sisters.

We recognize that some of the people’s ignorance far outweighs their understanding,

and that the church should give as much value to their asking questions as in finding answers.

We affirm that, as members of a Christian church, faith entails costly discipleship

and conscientious resistance to all sorts of evil.

We trust that God in His infinite love and wisdom will always give a helping hand

to an affirming church, and in the end, His kingdom will reign supreme in this world.”

May God bless us!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*The UC pastors are: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Fabula (Senior Pastor), Rev. Roger Quimpo (Outreach Pastor), Rev. Cris Amorsolo Sian (Youth Pastor), and Pastor Ruth Lunasco (Christian Education Director).

Awakened!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 19, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Central Philippine University is celebrating Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) starting today.* The theme is “Awakened” and based on the scripture texts: Ephesians 5:14-16 and Romans 13:11-12 -- “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you”… “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

The theme and texts imply two things.

First, we need to get involved in the process of waking up people from the state of “sleep-mode” Christianity.

My family is living now in CPU Heritageville, Pavia. It would take us three rides to reach CPU in Jaro (1 tri-sikad and 2 jeepney ride). Because of this we need to wake up early in the morning so that we can be on time for our office, and also for our son’s 7:30am class.

The process of waking up takes a lot of effort. Sometimes it would take three pushes in snooze button of the alarm before we finally wake up. Then a cup of coffee to perk us up, a little stretching, followed by a cold shower, and a breakfast to make us finally ready to go.

This is also the same with our spiritual lives. We need a lot of “alarm clocks” – preaching, bible studies, Sunday School, fellowships to continually remind us to wake up and shine for Jesus Christ.

Are we acting up as the “alarm clocks” “exercise” “coffee” “shower” “food” of people so that they can be awakened?

Second, as “awakened” people, we need to live for Christ. The texts say, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” … “So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Are we shining for Christ? Are we bearers of the light of Christ?

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*We covet your prayers for a meaningful CEW experience for CPU. The speakers for this CEW are from the United States brought over by our alumni Engr. Nelson and Mrs. Bethel Consumo.

Starting last semester we offered many venues for the convocation to maximize the attendance. In this CEW we are using three venues – Rose Memorial Hall, University Church and Alumni Promenade Park. We assigned colleges for each venue.

The Encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeus

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 12, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection for this week is about the encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeus.

This encounter happened in Jericho, a wealthy and important town during that time. It was the center of trade and industry. Its commerce was mainly on palm and balsam. Zacchaeus lived in this town.

He was wealthy but was unhappy. He was lonely for he had chosen a way that made him an outcast. He was not only a mere tax collector but the chief publican. He was despised and hated by people. He was corrupt because he charged more than what is supposed to be. He was an extortionist. This was his kind of life before he met Jesus Christ.

We can learn three things from Zacchaeus.

First, he had an Eager Attitude. He was determined to see Jesus and would let nothing to stop him. Zacchaeus threw away his pride, being a chief publican, and climbed the Sycamore tree in order to see Jesus.

Are we eager to find Jesus Christ? Do we let the crowd, the people, our work hinder us from coming to Jesus Christ?

Second, he had an Obedient and Open Attitude. When Jesus said that he will dine in the house of Zacchaeus, he immediately came down. He did not hesitate.

Jesus is continually knocking on our doors. Are we open to receive him? What obstacles do we have to overcome to see Jesus?

Third, he had a Repentant Attitude. There was a radical repentance in Zacchaeus. His change of life was evident in the actions that followed. He promised to give away half of his health and to return four-fold to those whom he cheated.

How do we act on our repentance?

The verse ending the story of Zacchaeus says, “salvation has come to his house.” It means that Zacchaeus became a blessing to his house. He brought the means of grace and salvation to his household.

Tradition tells us that later Zacchaeus became the bishop of Caesarea. What a turn of events if someone encounters Jesus Christ!

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on