Leaders of organizations and societies at all levels have been urged to maintain a spirit of humility, and not be authoritarian in carrying out their leadership roles, but be servant leaders and godly people. The charge was given by Mr. Julius Ugonna Ezifedi, Chairman, Lagos Archdiocesan Laity Council during the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Lagos Archdiocesan Laity Council, held recently at Ave Maria Catholic Church, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos, Ezifedi recalled Pope Francis’ caution to leaders of Church organisations and societies not to allow the devil tempt them to want to be leaders who command and are at the heart, and so, step by step, slide into authoritarianism, personalism and leave no living community renewed in the spirit. He noted that the Pope further cautioned such people not to be drawn by the temptation into considering themselves irreplaceable or draw power and domination over others to themselves, as the only irreplaceable beings in the Church is the Holy Spirit and Jesus, the only Lord.
Calling on the people to serve, the laity leader said service is a hallmark of the Christian belief, as he urged them to emulate Christ the leader of their faith, who asks them to us follow His example. He said: “Even the son of man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mk10:45). “Reflecting on the life of Christ, St. Paul writes ‘though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men’ (Phil. 2:6).” Ezifedi called on the people to actualise the words of Christ ‘not to be served but to serve’ their motto, which will guide them this year and through their service years, adding that when they live as Christ lived, serve as Christ served, they will not encounter much difficulty in their journey of life and faith. Urging the leaders to serve God and others in humility and love, he said that ideally, in the service of Christ towards others and in others, there is absolutely no place for pride, vain glory or selfishness, as he added that love definitely involves sacrifice, because to love is to give. “Every good leader puts the good of the organisation or societies ahead of his or her interests or personal gain,” he stressed.
