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Showing Servanthood to Others By Terri Johns Program Assistant for FUM World Ministries His feet grew dusty as he walked along the road. Dusty and itchy. Occasionally sweat would run down his legs, mix with the dust and form mud cakes on his feet and ankles. Sandals and dust were not a good combination, but that was all he had. It was all right, though. Peter knew once they arrived at their destination, one of those people, those nameless faces, would clean his feet. Then, he could enjoy the company of the Teacher better. Only then could his mind more fully focus on the great theological lessons he was learning. Peter wanted to be like the Teacher. He wanted to be respected, loved and sought out like the Teacher. What an honor! What respect! What greatness! When Peter and his friends arrived at the home where they were to eat, Peter was surprised that no one was there to wash his feet. Where were those people anyway? Those people, those people who were of no value except to care for his needs. Maybe they would come yet. As they entered the room in which they were to eat, the Teacher began to talk about love and how we ought to treat one another. Peter knew he had no trouble with that; he'd heard this lesson before. He was good at loving all his friends and neighbors, but his feet sure itched. He wished he could get them cleaned. The mud was drying and making his skin tight. What was the teacher talking about anyway? It was difficult concentrating when you were so uncomfortable. Why was it so hard to get someone to wash his feet? Brought back to attention, he wondered, "Now what was the teacher doing?" He was taking off his robe and wrapping a towel around his waist. Why, he looked just like one of — those people. Peter watched in astonishment while the Teacher — the most intelligent, religious man he knewÑstooped down and washed the feet of his friends. How could he do this? How could the Teacher do the job of...those servants? When the Teacher came to him, Peter refused to allow the Teacher to wash his feet. "If I do not wash your feet, you have no part of me," the Teacher said. No part of the Teacher? But that is my greatest desire — to be like the Teacher. "Then, Lord, not only my feet but wash my body as well." "You have had your bath, Peter, only your feet need cleaning." And Peter humbly complied. Jesus asks us to be a servant to others. To refuse that role is to put ourselves above Jesus — a place I don't want to be. How can we show our servanthood to others? How can we love the unlovely, the unkind, the unrepentant? How can we show love and kindness to those people we "used to feel" were beneath us? I challenge you to offer yourself as a servant this week, this month and this year. Wipe the runny nose, care for the needs of one who can no longer care for himself, clean up the mess someone else left behind, offer your help in some menial task. It is only through service that we truly understand Christ's love for us. "Just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me." — Matthew 25:40

COVER STORIES 8 Spiritual Leadership Doug Shoemaker "Who owns the church?" asks a young boy. "Is it you, pastor?" Doug Shoemaker thoughtfully considers this question while addressing the leadership crisis among Friends. 10 Servant-Leadership and Quakers 12 Ten Characteristics of the Servant Leader Larry Spears The concept of servant-leadership is as old as Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. But how does it apply to the institution of the church? Quakers Larry Spears and Robert Greenleaf have also developed servant-leadership workshops for use in other institutions. 14 Worthy Leadership John Muhanji Quaker leaders from Kenya and around the world are challenged to apply the seven tests of worthy leadership to their ministry. 16 Advices for Quaker Leaders Elizabeth Meyer Serving as a monthly meeting clerk, Elizabeth Meyer has learned at least eight things she has translated into Quaker Advices — advices that can also apply to all positions of leadership and calling.   FEATURES 4 News from Friends United Meeting 6 News 18 Ideas That Work Friends Disaster Service Responds to Ohio Tornados Dean Johnson 20 Bible Study Flexible Comfort Zones Kelly Kellum 22 Viewpoints 23 Reviews 26 Passages 28 Classifieds 29 Friends United Meeting Member Yearly Meetings 30 Meeting Directory 35 The Back Bench The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth, Maybe Tom Mullen   ON THE COVER The Indianapolis 500 parade showcased Quakers in the IPL float based on the Jessamyn West book Friendly Persuasion. Riding in the buggy are two real Friends, Earl and Cindy Hurst, accompanied by Jackie and Kaylee Willman. Photo by Lisa Tyner.

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