Matthew 20:25-28 "Jesus called them to Himself and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great excercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to be great, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
Luke 12:27 "For who is greater, he who sits at the table or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves."
Jesus displayed to us the Servant Leader of all servant leaders. Though He is Lord and King, He revealed Himself in a servant leadership role. One of the greatest examples of this is found in John 13 when He stooped to the lowest position of the Jewish culture at the time, that of a slave, and washed His disciples feet. What conviction that must have brought to the apostles striving for position! And this is the example He has called us to set forth.
I believe that much of the hierarchy model within many church settings around the world today stand in direct contrast to what Jesus has called leaders to be. He has called us not to "lord it over" but to be servants of all. A servant seeks no status. A servant is nameless. A servant doesn't seek to be served, because he is exactly what is name is - a servant.
The influence of the 3rd century catholic church has greatly influenced leadership even in charismatic circles today. Many churches function with a "top-down" mentality. There is no such thing in the body of Christ.
There needs to be a revolution in leadership structures today. I believe we need to return to the Jesus model.