Adding Servanthood

March 3, 2009
 
Dear St. Paul’s Family,
 
I find it fascinating that when I type the word servanthood on my computer, I get a red squiggly line indicating a spelling error.  I know that I could add it to my software program’s dictionary, overriding its judgment and expanding its vocabulary.  But maybe I’ll keep it as an unusual word, as an ongoing reminder of just how counter-cultural the concept really is.
 
What’s more, if I type in the name Tim Berners-Lee, I get that same squiggly line.  I prefer to think it’s for the same reason.  
 
Berners-Lee is a British computer scientist and professor at MIT, who in the late 1980’s, wrote a program for his computer to store large amounts of information that he could access through a variety of random associations, just like the human brain.  He then took it one step further.  What if he could find a way for such information to be shared and accessed across a network with other computers?  He devised a relatively simple coding system, called HyperText Mark-Up Language (or, HTML).  And before he knew it, by 1991, his little invention enabled 600,000 computer users all over the world to quickly share information.  That number grew exponentially, so that five years later, 40 million people were using this amazing invention, and today the number tops a billion people worldwide.  

Meet Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of a little thing called the internet.   
 
Now, I introduce him to you not for the sake of mere trivia.  His story is fascinating for this little sidebar to his story.  During his development of the world wide web, many urged him to patent the idea, and profit from an invention that would surely pad his coffers and set him up for life.  Conventional wisdom suggested that he should have capitalized on his success, and he certainly had many opportunities to do so.
 
But Berners-Lee felt otherwise.  He felt that to do so “would have scuppered the whole thing.  It never would have taken off.”  Though many since have made a fortune from endless .com endeavors, Berners-Lee chose the non-profit road, both for himself and his invention. And because he felt that a me-first mindset would only stunt the growth of this world-transforming gift, he gave it to the world with no gain in mind.

Admittedly, I should fight the temptation to overly spiritualize Mr. Berners-Lee’s story, for there is no indication that he made his decision based on biblical values.  And certainly, there is more to the biblical concept of servanthood than relinquishing patent rights for an invention, just as foregoing personal profits for one’s hard work does not necessarily define radical discipleship.  But I do think there is something to be said here about yielding one’s me-first mindset in exchange for the community’s benefit.  When it happens in the secular world, people take notice.  They scratch their heads, and they question a person’s sanity.  Putting others ahead of self is a bizarre, and rare, gesture.  
 
But for people of the cross, this should come as no surprise.  Because the gospel frequently takes our assumed patterns of behavior, thought, and relationship, and flips them on their ears.  Our lives get turned upside-down.  That’s why servanthood is such a counter-cultural idea, and why Jesus said it so plainly and so directly to his disciples:
 
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ (Mark 10:45)

We continue our Lenten sermon series “Upside-Down: How the Cross Changes Everything” with a sermon on the biblical concept of servanthood.  We’ll take a look at how the Bible calls us to confront our own self-centeredness, and learn to be a servant to others.  We’ll also hear about the new Helping Hands program developed by the Caring Committee, and have an opportunity to link our skills and abilities with those in need in our congregation.
 
Together, let’s add the word servanthood to our common vocabularies.  And become red squiggly lines for the world to notice.
 
Grace and Peace,
 
Magrey   


Philippians 2:1-11
1  If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy,
2  make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
3  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
4  Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
5  Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
7  but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form,
8  he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
9  Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
10  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 
 
NEW PRAISE BAND AT ST. PAUL’S
We give thanks to God for Dr. David Klee, professor of music at Buena Vista University, who has offered begin development of a new praise band at St. Paul’s.  The Administrative Board two weeks ago approved the addition of this new program to our worship ministries, and we are currently looking for vocalists and instrumentalists for this exciting new opportunity.  We are particularly looking for drummers, guitarists, keyboardists, and horn players.  If you are interested, please contact David at klee@bvu.edu.
 
YOUTH GROUP CONCERT
Mark your calendars for a fun Christian concert this Friday, March 6, featuring national artists Third Day and Brandon Heath.  Cost is $15.00 per person.  If interested, contact Magrey or JoAnn Bieber before this Wednesday.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Don’t forget to adjust your clocks one hour ahead this Saturday night!