On Monday, September 19th, an estimated 4.1 billion people, over half of the world’s population, viewed the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II making it the most watched program in television history.
Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby’s Eulogy
What most stood out to me were the words from Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby’s eulogy which are listed below. They paint a beautiful composite picture of this extraordinary woman’s faith and commitment to service. First, I will provide his words which are italicized. I will also insert 8 leadership lessons are provided in bold print which we learn from the text.
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Come Holy Spirit, fill us with the balm of your healing love. Amen.
The Pattern For Christian Leaders Is Best Remembered After Death
The pattern for many leaders is to be exalted in life and forgotten after death.
The pattern for all who serve God – famous or obscure, respected or ignored – is that death is the door to glory.
Christian Leaders Should Live Lives In Service To Others
Her Late Majesty famously declared on a 21st birthday broadcast that her whole life would be dedicated to serving the Nation and Commonwealth. Rarely has such a promise been so well kept!
Few leaders receive the outpouring of love that we have seen.
Christian Leaders First Serve Jesus Christ Above All Others
Jesus – who in our reading does not tell His disciples how to follow, but Who to follow – said: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Her Late Majesty’s example was not set through her position or her ambition, but through Whom she followed.
I know His Majesty shares the same faith and hope in Jesus Christ as his mother; the same sense of service and duty.
In 1953 the Queen began her Coronation with silent prayer, just there at the High Altar.
The Christian Leader’s Foundation Is Not In His/Her Competencies, Resume, Resources, Or Network But In Jesus Christ And Him Alone
Her allegiance to God was given before any person gave allegiance to her.
Her service to so many people in this nation, the Commonwealth and the world, had its foundation in her following Christ – God himself – who said that He “came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)
Leaders Of Loving Service Are Rare
People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer.
Leaders Who Cling To Power and Privilege Rather Than Loving Service Will Be Forgotten
But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are long forgotten.
The grief of this day – felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and the world – arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us. She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.
We pray especially for all her family, grieving as every family at a funeral – including so many families round the world who have themselves lost someone recently – but in this family’s case doing so in the brightest spotlight.
May God heal their sorrow, may the gap left in their lives be marked with memories of joy and life.
Even Though Christian Leaders May Die, They Are Not Without Hope
Her Late Majesty’s broadcast during COVID lockdown ended with: “We will meet again,” words of hope from a song of Vera Lynn.
Christian hope means certain expectation of something not yet seen. Christ rose from the dead and offers life to all, abundant life now and life with God in eternity.
As the Christmas carol [“O Little Town of Bethlehem”] says, “where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.”
We will all face the merciful judgement of God: we can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership.
Christian Leaders Give Us An Example To Follow
Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: “We will meet again.”
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