Elizabeth II: An Example of Servant Leadership

Since receiving the news of the Queen's death, we have seen a number of documentaries about her life. The images and clips of speeches have been extraordinary, and they have evoked many memories of her and the various events which we have experienced in our own lives during that period. Indeed, many of us have had a ringside seat for so many of the events of her long reign. When we think about these things, we are immediately struck by her devotion to duty, and the unprecedented high regard and affection for her which so many people across the globe are left with after so long a time in the public eye! How many public figures can we say that about?

Why do so many of us feel this way about her? What accounts for the esteem, respect and affection that she has engendered in so many of us?

The adjectives which have been used in describing her begin to give us some insight into answering those questions. She has been described most often as being gracious, dedicated, faithful and kind. Also, her carefulness in remaining above partisan politics, and her vigilance in never publicly offering her own opinions in matters of state has been a recurring theme in the tributes that have been offered since her passing. This, of course, goes a long way toward explaining how someone who stood at the pinnacle of political and religious power (Head of State, Head of the Commonwealth and titular head of the Church of England), arguably the most divisive of all human endeavors, could be held in such high esteem among her own people and those in the wider world.

In considering these things, we think too about what Christ told his disciples about leadership. He said: "Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else." (Mark 9:35) And a little later, when two of his disciples asked to be made leaders immediately under Jesus, he told them: "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45) Clearly, Christ envisioned a "servant" leadership model for his Church. In the Gospel of John, we read that Jesus also told his disciples: "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13)

Elizabeth II personified these concepts. Before she ascended the throne, she said: "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong." The Queen kept that promise. Moreover, her devotion to serving her people and the wider world stood in stark contrast to her uncle, King Edward VIII, who was the poster boy for self-interest. Widely regarded as a great romantic, after abdicating his throne and his responsibilities, the former king declared: "You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the Throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the Empire which as Prince of Wales, and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve. But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love." Unlike his niece, he was not interested in self-sacrifice on behalf of his people.

Hence, as is always the case in looking back over a life well-lived and given in service to others, we can only hope to follow the late Queen's good example. We must continually ask ourselves: "How can I best serve others?" "Am I being the best example that I can be to others?" "Will I leave this world having made a positive difference in the lives of my loved ones?" "Will I leave this world with the esteem and affection of my loved ones?"