By DAVID EPPS

Guest Columnist

Have you ever noticed, at a high school or college graduation, who comes in first?

I mean, when the graduates start to process in and take their places, they are preceded by lots of folks in robes, caps, little tassels, and colorful stoles. So, who are these important people who lead the pack, anyway? And why do they dress like that?

Basically, it's a matter of “who's who.” According to information from the University of West Georgia (where my wife is an assistant professor in nursing and now is numbered among the “who's who”) the custom of wearing a distinctive dress for academic ceremonies dates back to the Middle Ages, where people dressed in a manner befitting their class.

In the United States, the custom of distinguishing costumes for university functions began at Harvard in 1636.

Each robe has a meaning, as does each academic hood. Even the cap worn at graduations holds a meaning. Those who hold doctorates may opt to wear a soft velvet cap or, if they choose to wear the more familiar “mortar board,” may elect to wear a tassel of gold threads. And, if you can't tell who the really big wigs are by the clothes they wear, the order they occupy in the procession tells the story.

The position of greatest honor enters first, followed by those of lesser rank, distinction, or honor. The president, speakers, guests, and deans, are followed by full professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and then instructors.

The graduating students likewise occupy rank. For example, at most schools, depending on the course offerings, the highest graduate is the holder of the Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy, followed by Doctor of Medicine, followed by other doctoral degrees.

Graduates with master's degrees are next, with graduates holding bachelor's degrees and associate's degrees rounding it out.

On the other hand, if you were to attend a church function where processionals and such things are practiced, the story would be different. Rather than the processional being led by the highest ranking person present, such as the priest, bishop, or archbishop, at the head of the line will usually be children.

Often, these children will enter first and light the candles. Following them are members of the laity, often children or youth, who carry crosses, the Bible, banners, and whatnot.

Behind them comes the singers and musicians, followed by readers of the scriptures. Then, those who serve as commissioned ministers march in, followed by the deacons, who are followed by the priest. If a bishop or archbishop is present, they enter dead last.

All of this is to put into focus the teaching that Jesus gave his disciples regarding servant leadership. He said, of the children, “of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” Of those who would desire to be great, he said, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first.” He also shared that whoever would be great in God's Kingdom must be the “servant of all.” In this day of “he who dies with the most wins,” it is still a good reminder.

Some years ago, I contacted a “famous” Christian speaker to speak at the church I was serving. He would come for one service only, on an off night, for the princely sum of $6,000. This was almost 18 years ago, so it really was a great deal of money. He demanded a suite, not a hotel room, fresh fruit each morning, a limo to pick him up at the airport, and an attendant that would be assigned to him to tend to his every whim.

We decided to politely tell him that he could... well, there's no polite way to say it. Anyway, we choose not to have him come.

Through the years, I have met other demanding, arrogant ministers who have forgotten that they are the servants rather than the served.

When I was 32, and in a new church, my denominational official called me, welcomed me to the state and invited me to lunch in a few days. I gushed my appreciation. I had never been shown attention by a person of his stature before, so I went out, even though I had very little money, and bought a new suit. Two days later, I drove the 90 miles to his office to meet with him. He greeted me warmly, escorted me to the parking lot, took me to a very nice restaurant, and let me order whatever I wanted. I felt so important!

Then, after lunch was ordered, he leaned over the table and said quietly, “Brother Epps, you need to know that this office has loaned your church $5,000. You need to pay it back as soon as you can.”

My heart sank. We only had about $5,800 in the church account and now that was to be emptied. I drove the 90 miles back home in a funk. When my wife asked me how lunch was, I said, “It's the most expensive meal I've ever eaten.” The loan was paid by the end of the week and I was never invited to lunch again.

By contrast, I have come to know leaders who have a different approach. One of my sons was going through a personal difficulty last year. He called my bishop and the bishop set an appointment. Then, the bishop drove the 110 miles round trip to where my son was located, rather than demanding he come to the office.

Two years ago, I called my archbishop to seek an appointment with him. His office is about seven hours driving time one way but I really needed to see him. The next day, his secretary returned my call. The archbishop had rescheduled an airline flight so that he would have a five-hour layover in Atlanta. I picked him up at Hartsfield Airport, we went to lunch, and he spent the entire five hours with me. He paid for lunch and never even asked me for any money. I was moved.

A few weeks ago, the bishop of South Carolina visited our church. As time neared for the service, I realized that the bishop was nowhere to be found. I went in search of him and found him in the foyer, busily folding bulletins for the service.

Servant leadership has its downside. A member of our congregation had vehicle trouble and I offered to take him to work the next day. Then he shared that I would need to be at his home at 4:30 a.m.! Yow! As the clock alarmed at 4:08 the next morning I shouted, “Servanthood stinks!”

Maybe that's why so few leaders want to truly be servants. Anyway, that's why the Church makes these guys go last in the line. It's a reminder to them, and to us, that true greatness is found in humility, in deferring to others, and in choosing to serve, rather than to be served.

[Father David Epps is founding rector of Christ the King Church. He may be contacted at P. O. Box 2192, Peachtree City, GA 30269, or online at CTKCEC@aol.com.

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