Present were three generations: a couple in their 70s, a father of two in his 40s and a bachelor in his 20s. We stood around enjoying each other’s company long after they closed the doors to the home office where we had attended the seminar earlier that day. As the parking lot lights turned on and the sun set in the overcast sky, we talked on—about ‘59 Chevrolets, the Church, leadership and prophecy. We were glad we were invited to Cincinnati to meet each other; but more importantly we were excited to see a great attitude of sharing and openness from our teachers. It was an attitude that was contagious.

The United Church of God has made it a point over the past 11 or 12 years (they lost count as to when exactly it started) to invite a small group of men and women who have been serving their local congregations to a leadership seminar for “continued education.” In other words, it was a shot in the arm to help us be better servants and leaders. It reminded us of what those words mean and gave us practical ways to help our fellow Church members and pastors. The members of the class consisted of deacons, elders, non-ordained members and their respective wives. They came to Cincinnati for this three-day event over Sabbath, Sunday and Monday to attend classes and lectures, eat meals together and participate in question and answer sessions.

It was during one of those relaxed, intimate Q&A sessions with UCG’s administration (men like Dennis Luker, Victor Kubik, Gary Antion, Aaron Dean, Randy Stiver, Roy Holladay and a few others) that one of my fellow classmates asked this question, which I will paraphrase: “We really appreciate all the great information and sessions and the amazing attitude that you guys are approaching the work of the Church with, but how can we explain this attitude of Christ-like service to the church at large?” See, this idea of leading like Christ did—of having a heart that is okay with having power and greatness taken away (Philippians 2:6) and finding the next opportunity of service—is a different focus than what we previously concentrated on in our part of the Church of God. But the answer to the question about how to get this attitude across is pretty simple.

It starts with us. It starts with you.

It would be silly not to acknowledge the trust problem that the Church faces with the turmoil we’ve all experienced. There was talk about how things were not always handled correctly both recently and throughout Church of God history. There was talk about the impossible situations so many found themselves in—with no good choices. But there have also been many good examples of God’s Spirit working through men and women to teach us over the years. We know there are some whom we can trust. Generally, we trust those we have relationships with—the people we know, the people who have shown the fruits of the Spirit. So if you know one of the folks who attended this year’s seminar, ask them what they thought about the spirit and knowledge that was taught during the weekend.

What we heard was wisdom from men who have seen the best of people and, unfortunately, the worst of people, too. But they’re not bitter. Instead, they encouraged us that what is most important is our own relationship with God. And that relationship should build in us the theme of this year’s seminar: “The Stuff of Leadership—Christ-Like Service.”

Each one of the 60 attendees (34 men and 26 women, representing different congregations in 13 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces and the countries of Chile and Colombia) were incredibly encouraged, and I now have several new friends across the world. But what we also have are the seeds of an encouraging and contagious hope that we are heading in the right direction in how we are to lead and serve. My fellow classmates were a small sampling of the many people who help every Sabbath and every Holy Day all across the world.

My prayer is that we all catch that vision of heading to the Kingdom of God in a way that emulates the way Christ led.