Local pastor, Afrika Mhlophe, has written a book that really speaks to the heart of Christian leadership in our part of the world: A Passion for Position: A Call to Servant Leadership. This book looks closely at what makes good Christian leaders, pushing us to think more about who we are inside than just the fancy titles we might have. Mhlophe’s writing is solid, based on what the Bible teaches, and gives practical advice for anyone in authority, especially in Africa.
The book is set out nicely, looking at different important parts of being a leader. The first part, “Laying the Right Foundation,” makes it clear that real leadership comes from who you are as a person, not just the job you do. Mhlophe puts it this way: “Effective Leadership flows from a person and not a position, therefore the state and condition of the person who leads is more important than the position they occupy.” This idea runs through the whole book, showing that what’s inside you is what really matters when you’re leading.
Then comes “Showing Up or Showing Off,” which hits on something we see a lot in churches – people trying to look important instead of just being there to serve. Mhlophe calls out this “showboating” that can creep into church leadership. He wants us to focus on truly helping others instead of wanting applause and praise from them. This part reminds us that we should always be pointing to God’s greatness, not trying to make ourselves look good. Like Mhlophe says, “The reputation of the Christian Leader is not as important as God’s reputation.”
The section on “Secure Leadership” talks about how leaders need to feel secure in God. Mhlophe compares those who feel safe because of their work to those who feel safe because they know God as their Father. This makes a lot of sense, showing how knowing God’s love and authority gives us real freedom and a sense of belonging. He breaks it down simply: children work to please their Father, while workers just want a reward; children take ownership, while workers only care about their own tasks; and children look after things like they’re getting an inheritance, while workers only think about what they get right now. Mhlophe stresses that “Today’s world is in dire need of secure leaders. To be secure means to be free from fear, care, doubt and anxiety.” This security, he says, comes from really knowing we are God’s loved children.
“Attitude Adjustment” looks at the changes in how we think that are needed for servant leadership. This part of the book talks about being humble, willing to learn, and putting others first. The strong quote, “Silence the voice of pride before it silences you,” captures the main idea here, warning us about how pride can destroy up our leadership. Mhlophe also deals with some ideas about “apostles” that aren’t really in line with the Bible but have become popular in some churches, pushing for a more Biblical understanding of leadership roles.
One of the best things about A Passion for Position is how it relates to our African context. Mhlophe uses examples of good and bad leadership that we can all recognize, making the points he’s making easy to understand and use. Plus, the book encourages a flexible approach to leadership, knowing that different situations call for different ways of serving. The main message is a powerful one: we should stop worrying about protecting our own “turf” and instead focus on serving God with everything we have. The book ends with a helpful list of key leadership ideas from Jesus’ life, who is the ultimate example of a servant leader.
Overall, A Passion for Position: A Call to Servant Leadership is an excellent book that I’d recommend to any leader, and to any Christian who wants to lead like Jesus. Mhlophe’s writing is based on solid Bible teaching, giving us good insights and practical challenges that push us to put God and others first in our leadership. This book is a valuable contribution to the conversation about Christian leadership, urging us to be passionate not about our own importance, but about serving God with a humble heart.