Moses on Leadership, Pt.2

We are going to get to the Moses part, but not just yet…

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Act 6:1-4 ESV)

THE WORD OF GOD: WE MUST LEARN IT, LIVE IT, AND LEAD OTHERS IN IT.

If we as a community of faith-dwellers are going to be effective in the mission Jesus has given to us then we must be committed to learning the Word of God, living the Word of God, and leading others in the Word of God.

The Church is the ground and pillar of the truth. The Church must be the proclaimer of truth, the Word of God.

The Pastor is responsible for clearly and consistently proclaiming the truth of God’s Word.

The above passage represents a scenario quite common in every local church around the world. There are lots of needs, and there is a fraction who feel as though they are getting the short end of the stick. I know none of you out there have ever dealt with this, but believe it or not it is quite common:)

By the way, if you feel overwhelmed in ministry it probably means you are in involved with people. Because wherever there are people, there are lots of needs. And lots of needs can be overwhelming.

Which is why as the needs grow the systems we use to meet those needs must also grow.

As an organization grows, so much the infrastructure and systems.

The apostles state, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.”

This doesn’t mean that “serving the widows was unimportant or even less important” but it does mean that “it would be wrong for the apostles to ignore what ONLY THEY COULD DO”, which is PREACH THE WORD AND CAST THE VISION JESUS HAS GIVEN TO THEM.

Since the needs of the widows were so important and the apostles cared deeply for them, they decided to be more strategic about the vision. They knew that if they were to best CARE FOR & LEAD THE CHURCH GOD HAD ENTRUSTED TO THEM, they would need to EQUIP OTHERS TO LEAD AND CARE FOR THE CHURCH, while they focused on doing what only they could do (receive the vision from Jesus, preach the word, and develop other leaders).

IT WAS ANTI-MISSION FOR THE APOSTLES TO FOCUS ON DOING INSTEAD OF DEVELOPING (other leaders to care for the needs of the widows).