It’s common for leaders to complain about not having enough help. Some wish they had a staff or a team of leaders. This is most critical during times of transitions, when people in leadership or ministry positions move away to other locations.
So it’s always a good idea to keep a backup of leaders. For every area of ministry and at every level, keep building new leaders. One is never enough. Create such a culture where all the leaders raise up other leaders.
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Category: Leadership
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With all the current experts in leadership, management and business, we might think these are new concepts. But you may be surprised to know that these practices were prevalent in ancient times as well. Read this record from a few thousand years ago and observe the text in bold to identify the various organizational levels.
“These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were recorded at the commandment of Moses, the responsibility of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord commanded Moses: and with him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer and embroider in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen” (Exo 38:21-23).
Leadership: Commandment of Moses
Management: Responsibility of the Levites
Administration: Direction of Ithamar
Production: Made all that the Lord commanded Moses
Sure, there are various ways to look at organizational management levels, but the text in Exodus is clear that they had a very clear form of order.
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Only a few will step up and share the load of leadership. There won’t be many who want to put aside their schedules and suffer the consequences of taking the lead.
But there are many who’ll say that they would like to come. They say things like: “Go ahead and set it up, and I’ll show up if I have the time.”
The trailblazers get ignited with only a spark. They jump at the opportunity of a new vision. Of course, they’re trailblazers.
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The natural response may be to retaliate. You may feel like you have every right to get back at them. You may be one of the factors why they are alive today. You may have had a significant role in their marriage being rescued from disaster. So in one sense, you have every right to retaliate in a similar fashion as they treated you.
But. What do you want to spread? Do you want to spread hatred, animosity, and an attitude of retaliation within your organization? Or, would you prefer to spread forgiveness, mutual understanding and mutual respect? It’s your choice. You are the leader.
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We offer to God what we think he would like. Because that’s what we like. Therefore we think he would/should like what we like.
While Moses had gone up to the mountain to be with the Lord for forty days, the people became impatient. They wondered what happened to Moses and began to build an idol made of Gold.
It is intriguing to note that Aaron looked at the idol and said “tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord (Yahweh).” But the feasting and celebration to the Lord was in front of an Idol, something God never allowed.
Whatever we do in our worship, we need to seek the face of God and make sure it pleases him. We may have the best programs and setup that we can imagine. But is God being pleased or will he say “NO THANKS!”
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It seems odd that God would take the primary leader and his assistant away for 40 days (Exodus 24:15-18). To us that may seem like a long time for a leader to stay away. We might even think of it as a bad leadership decision on God’s part.
We know that God was giving his requirements for them as they live as his chosen people. Maybe Moses had lots of questions for God as they spent time together.
There was also sufficient time for the people and the leaders to show their true colors. Who were they? What were they really like when the primary leader is away? How important is their commitment to God?
I’m sure Moses needed some time away from the people and in God’s presence. We know that Jesus spent extensive time away from people and in God’s presence. This time in God’s presence would prepare Moses for some of the horrendous things he would see when he comes down the mountain.
Value your time away from people and your time in God’s presence. God is doing some things within you so he can do many things through you.
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Some just complain. Others do something about the problem. They build solutions.
Complainers are quite knowledgeable. They’ve been around the block a few times and they know what’s the “proper” way. They will point out the problem and inconsistencies.
Builders also see problems. Then they look around with a desire to see progress. They look for solutions.
Focus on builders. Spend time with them. Invest in them. They’ll help you build solutions.
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Does planning imply a lack of trust? If we work out all the details, where is our faith in God? Is it impossible to do a detailed planning and have faith?
While Moses was on the mountain for 40 days, God was giving him detailed plans for the tabernacle where God would come and dwell with the people (Exo 26:30). God wanted to ensure that Moses would erect the tabernacle according to his plan.
But will God come? Will he show up and do all that he promised? That’s faith. It was Moses’ job to work out the details according to the plan.
So go ahead and plan out the details of the worship service, small group, youth gathering, children’s programs and all that you do for the Kingdom. Then have faith that God will show up. He promised. He will.
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How much liability does the leader carry? Are the sins of the people indicative of the leader’s incapability to lead and teach?
I suggest three considerations. First, the people have the primary responsibility to follow and obey God’s Word. Second, leaders have the responsibility to lead, teach, correct, and ensure that the people walk according to God’s ways. Third, we leaders have the privilege of handing over all of the responsibility to God. His shoulders are big enough. Jesus bore the guilt on the cross.
For the Israelites, the high priest was the spiritual leader. Symbolically he bore the guilt of the people on his forehead – that they may be acceptable before the Lord. Although the high priest bore the guilt, it was then given to God (Exo 28:38). It’s a transfer of guilt.
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Without a clear, articulated purpose, we’ll meander in all directions. The critical side of our personality gets the upper hand, and we turn on each other.
“The problem … is that since nobody knows what we are supposed to be doing, too many leaders think their full time job is making others feel unimportant.” (Quoted in Lead Like Jesus: Lessons From the Greatest Leadership Role Model of all Time by Ken Blanchard and Paul Hodges)
Purpose.
Clarify it. Articulate it. Live it.
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