How can church leaders today apply Moses' example from Exodus 18:15? Setting the Scene – Israel has just left Egypt and is encamped at Sinai when Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, observes Moses handling every dispute himself (Exodus 18:13-14). – Moses explains, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God” (Exodus 18:15). – Jethro responds with wise counsel: “What you are doing is not good” (v. 17), urging Moses to delegate while continuing to be the people’s representative before God (vv. 19-23). What Moses Models in Verse 15 • Availability: he is reachable when the people need guidance. • Intercession: he takes their concerns directly to God. • Reliance on revelation, not opinion: his answers are rooted in God’s statutes and instructions (v. 16). Principles Church Leaders Can Apply Today 1. Remain Approachable – Sheep must know where to find their shepherd (1 Peter 5:2). – Cultivate open lines of communication: scheduled office hours, small-group presence, intentional mingling before and after services. 2. Intercede More Than You Intervene – Like Moses, carry people’s burdens vertically before trying to fix them horizontally (James 5:16). – Keep a running prayer list; pray with people on the spot rather than merely promising prayer. 3. Speak from Scripture, Not Preference – “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). – When counseling, open the Bible; let God’s Word, not personal anecdotes, be the authority. 4. Equip and Delegate Wisely – Moses later appoints “capable, God-fearing men” over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens (Exodus 18:21). – Acts 6:3-4 shows the same pattern: elders devote themselves to prayer and the Word while qualified servants handle logistical needs. – Identify, train, and empower gifted believers (Ephesians 4:11-12). 5. Guard Personal Bandwidth – Even a God-appointed leader can burn out (Numbers 11:14-17). – Schedule Sabbath rest; resist the temptation to shoulder every task. – Periodically review responsibilities and hand off what others can do. Practical Action Steps – Map ministry flow: list every pastoral request, then decide which need direct shepherding and which can be delegated. – Form an intercessory team that prays daily for congregational needs you gather. – Build a “Scripture first” counseling template: opening prayer, relevant passages, application, closing prayer. – Institute leadership tiers (elders, deacons, ministry heads) with clear lanes of authority and accountability. – Evaluate quarterly: Is workload driving you closer to God or draining you? Adjust. Encouragement to Persevere Moses’ willingness to represent the people before God did not diminish when he shared the workload; it sharpened his focus. In Christ, leaders are called to the same balance—approachable shepherds who lift their flock to the throne and teach God’s Word faithfully, while equipping others to serve. “And let us not grow weary in well-doing” (Galatians 6:9). |
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