Sharing the Work

In my last Blog we discussed the need to move more away from Old Testament patterns of ministry which demonstrated leadership through one powerful leader to a New Testament pattern of TEAM which Jesus began demonstrating at the beginning of His ministry be choosing a team.  That group would follow him, learn under him and eventually do the work under his oversight.  The Old Testament in not entirely about the "one man show", there are also excellent examples of team ministry.  A prime example would be in what would become known as the "Jethro Principle."  This concept comes from the time when Moses was spending his days acting as a mediator between the people and as a counselor in daily matters of life.  Jethro, Moses' father in law told Moses after observing his daily routine, "the thing you are doing isn't good.  You will wear out yourself and the people."  Then he gave Moses the counsel to find men that he could set up over groups of people to do this daily task of counseling and caring for the people.  Then he told him the harder cases they can still come to you.  Listen to the words that gave clear direction to Moses as to where his focus should lie. In Exodus 16:19-20 Jethro tells Moses, "You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. 20Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives."  Moses would still be involved in caring for the flock, living among them and still active in bringing their needs before God (Prayer), teaching God's Word to them and showing them how to live.  That sounds a lot like what the apostles said in Acts 6 when deacons were chosen.  The apostles said, "we must not leave our duties of the Word of God and Prayer to get involved in the day to day affairs of life."

The lesson to be learned here are obvious, "share the work"!  Now, that doesn't mean you share it with just anyone but those you choose and I might add train.  Later Moses had problems with the ones he chose but there is a case to be made that the problems stemmed from his choices and a lack of training to get them on the same page as he.  Never rush in choosing leaders with whom you may share the load.  Haste makes waste!  Almost all leadership problems seem to come out of quickly chosen and ill prepared leaders.  Certainly even leaders who start out good can go bad beyond our control, none the less nothing is more important in leadership than choosing and training.

Consider taking a John the Baptist posture here as you seek to "decrease so they may increase".  The result will be expansion and success!  Share the Work!