Greatness through Service: Mark 10:35–45 and the Accountability of Christian Power

Christian leadership frequently affirms servanthood while leaving the exercise of authority insufficiently accountable. This article examines how Mark 10:35–45 can inform a theological framework for distinguishing service from domination. Drawing on a bounded narrative review of twenty-five selected works and a focused theological reading of the passage, it explores the relationship between greatness, service, and power. The synthesis interprets greatness as an evaluative criterion, service as the governing practice of leadership, and power as the domain requiring accountability. It distinguishes Jesus’ redemptive self-giving from human leadership responsibilities and examines tensions between sacrifice and sustainability, divine calling and communal scrutiny, and participation and decisive authority. The proposed framework evaluates leadership through its capacity to develop others, protect vulnerable people, and provide credible opportunities to question decisions and correct harmful practices. Its contribution lies in connecting professed servanthood with institutional correctability, thereby treating personal formation and structural safeguards as complementary responsibilities. The article concludes that Christian power becomes ethically credible when those affected by its exercise can participate meaningfully in its evaluation. The framework offers normative guidance for churches and faith-based institutions, while its practical effectiveness remains open to empirical investigation

Mark 10:35–45; Christian leadership; servant leadership; accountability; ecclesial power

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