A Title Does Not Make You Greater. It Makes You More Accountable.

An encounter that reminded me of my identity in Christ, the true meaning of spiritual leadership, and the importance of returning to SELF.

I recently attended a Christian business gathering that left me with two very different experiences: one of spiritual confirmation, and another of personal reflection.

I am genuinely grateful that I attended. The messages shared throughout the event resonated deeply with me. In many ways, they confirmed what I believe God had already been speaking into my life.

But something else happened.

While I was greeting a pastor I know through a church community, another spiritual leader entered the room and ushered me away.

There may well have been a reason I was not aware of. I will probably never know what was on their mind in that moment, and this is not a story about the individual. But the impact on me was real, and it is worth being honest about.

For a brief moment, I felt as though I did not belong. I felt dismissed. Unwelcome. Almost invisible. And yes, I was disappointed.

Then something shifted.

I remembered who I am. More importantly, I remembered whose I am.

I am a child of God.

My identity is not determined by anyone’s title, position, recognition or approval. I do not need to be known by influential people to deserve dignity and respect.

And just like that, I returned to myself.

What Was Different This Time

I have felt this way before. In the past, a moment like that might have stayed with me for days. I would have replayed it, questioned whether I belonged in that room at all, and allowed it to colour everything else I had received.

This time, I recovered more quickly.

I noticed the feeling, named it for what it was, and asked myself a simple question: Why did I come here?

I did not attend the gathering to be recognised by anyone. I attended because I wanted to receive what God had for me. And I did. The messages confirmed what I believe God had already placed on my heart.

I could have allowed one disappointing moment to overshadow the entire experience. Instead, I chose to hold on to what mattered.

Returning to SELF: Knowing Who I Am in Christ

As I reflected, I realised that the greater lesson was not about how someone treated me. It was about how I responded.

That is what Return2SELF means to me: returning to the truth of who God created me to be, rather than allowing circumstances or other people’s behaviour to define me.

Through my Knowing–Being–Doing® philosophy, I see this as a practical expression of spiritual identity:

• KNOWING: I know who I am in Christ. My worth is not negotiable.
• BEING: I remain grounded in that identity, even when circumstances challenge my emotions.
• DOING: I choose to respond in ways that reflect my faith, values and calling.

Knowing who I am does not mean I will never feel disappointed. It simply means disappointment does not have to determine who I become.

A Reflection on My Own Calling

This moment also brought something else to the surface.

I have sometimes felt reluctant to engage in Christian business circles, or to position my work explicitly within ministry environments. Not because I am ashamed of my faith, but because I have encountered behaviour that seems inconsistent with the very principles of love, humility and service that Christianity teaches.

Perhaps this is an area where God is still working within me. I am learning that I must not confuse Christ with the imperfect ways people, myself included, sometimes represent Him.

I cannot allow anyone’s behaviour to become a barrier to what I believe God has called me to do. Their behaviour is their responsibility. My response is mine.

And that principle applies equally to me. Whether I am leading a business, mentoring young people, facilitating transformation or serving others, I must keep asking myself:

• Am I making people feel valued?
• Am I creating environments where people belong?
• Does my character reflect the values I profess?

Because leadership is not measured only by what we accomplish. It is also revealed in how we treat people along the way.

When Did Titles Become More Important Than People?

This experience made me reflect on something I believe deserves a broader, gentler conversation within the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11–12 describes the fivefold ministry: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These gifts were given to equip God’s people for works of service and to build up the body of Christ.

Not to create a hierarchy of human worth. Not to decide who deserves recognition and who does not. And certainly not to make anyone feel less important because they do not carry a ministry title.

Jesus demonstrated a very different model of leadership. He washed feet. He welcomed people. He served.

Matthew 23:11 reminds us: “The greatest among you will be your servant.”

Spiritual authority is not a licence to diminish others. It is a responsibility to serve them.

What the Most Humble Leaders Have Taught Me

The irony is not lost on me that some of the most humble people I have met carry some of the most recognised titles.

For many years, I have learnt from the books, sermons and teachings from various spiritual leaders and in my encounters with them I have never once been made to feel small or out of place.

What stayed with me was not their prominence. It was how they treated me. True leadership does not need to make others feel small to establish its greatness.

And it reminds me of a simple principle: treat everyone with dignity, regardless of who they are. You should not need to know someone’s background, achievements, connections or calling before extending kindness.

My Final Reflection

I am glad I attended the gathering. I received what I went there to receive, and I walked away with a lesson I did not expect.

Titles have their place. They identify responsibilities, callings and areas of service. But they should never become instruments of superiority. Whether you are called Apostle, Prophet, Bishop, Pastor, CEO, Managing Director, or simply by your name, your title does not make you more valuable than another human being. Different responsibilities do not mean different levels of worth.

The greater the influence entrusted to you, the greater your responsibility to demonstrate humility, wisdom, compassion and integrity. Often the clearest evidence of leadership is not how you treat the influential people in the room. It is how you treat the person you do not know.

Returning to SELF is not a once-off event. It is a continuous journey of remembering who we are, realigning with truth, and choosing how we show up in the world.

So, to everyone entrusted with leadership, whether in ministry, business or society: Never become so consumed with your title that you forget the people you were called to serve.

And to anyone who has ever been made to feel that they do not belong: Never become so impressed by someone’s title that you forget your own identity.

Your title tells people what you do.

Your character reveals who you are.

And your identity in Jesus Christ reminds you whose you are.

Return2SELF — Rediscover. Realign. Build.

Glenda MAITIN

Knowing–Being–Doing® | Return2SELF