Sharing the Burden of Leadership

Background Scripture: Exodus 18
Lesson Scripture: Exodus 18:13-26

Introduction

We believe it is God’s will, when the time is right and the Holy Spirit’s direction is clear, that brethren be elected and ordained in every congregation. We acknowledge there will be times when a congregation is new and may not have an ordained leader. Then the lay brethren will carry more responsibility for leadership, working together with a nonresident pastor.

However, when the Lord provides a congregation with ordained leadership, it does not mean that they must shoulder the entire responsibility. They still need the help of their lay brethren who should with confidence and proper respect give their support to those who are ordained. This is a beautiful way for everyone to share in the work of the kingdom.

Key Verse

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

In the fourth chapter of Exodus, when God told Moses to return to Egypt from Midian, he took his wife and children with him. Foreseeing the troubles his family would likely face in Egypt, Moses sent them back to Midian until the time when God would deliver His people. When Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses’s father-in-law, heard that God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness, he went to Moses, bringing him his wife and his two sons. When Moses met Jethro, he paid him obeisance and kissed him.

After asking each other of their welfare, Moses told his father-in-law how God had delivered His people from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Jethro rejoiced and said, “Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods.” Though Jethro was likely a worshiper of the true God already, what God did for the Israelites confirmed his faith.

Moses wanted this great throng of people to know the will of God and to get along together. So, he sat from morning until evening instructing and judging them. When Jethro observed this, he felt that Moses would soon wear down, and he advised him to appoint capable men to help with this work. Very likely Moses was again remembering this advice when, just before the children of Israel entered Canaan, he asked them, “How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?” In the next verse he said, “Take you wise men . . . and I will make them rulers over you” (Deut. 1:12-13).

Obviously, Moses had confidence in his father-in-law. He even asked him to accompany them to Canaan: “Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.” (Num. 10:31-32). But Moses’ father-in-law declined, saying he would depart to his own land and to his kindred.

Practical Truths for Today

Just as God has made distinctions among the parts of the human body, there is also a difference in the gifts and responsibilities of the members of His church. The responsibility of leadership is God-given, and we must respect our leaders as God’s ministers.

When Paul and Barnabas were completing their first missionary journey, they revisited the churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. There they confirmed the souls of the disciples and exhorted them to continue in the faith. They also ordained elders in every church and with prayer and fasting commended them to the Lord.

From history it is unclear when the apostle Paul left Titus at Crete (Titus 1:5), however he clearly instructed him to set in order the things that were wanting and to ordain elders in every city. The Bible teaches how these leaders are to take the oversight and feed the flock, but they are not to be lords over God’s heritage—they are to be examples. Being examples would include that they work together in humility and harmony. As the laity see their leaders working together, it gives them confidence and inspires them to be faithful.

Leaders also need the spirit of Moses when it comes to sharing the burden of leadership. The Bible says Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. We have the account in Numbers where the spirit rested upon a couple of men and they prophesied in the camp. There were those that came and reported this to Moses and asked him to forbid them. Moses responded, “Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!” (Num. 11:29).

In 1 Corinthians 12 we read about the gifts that are given to the church. Among these gifts is the gift of helps. The Spanish Bible gives the literal translation for the gift of helps to be “those that help.” Young Christians as well as older ones can contribute many kind deeds to help people. There are countless situations where this gift can be practiced for the welfare of the church. It is without basis to think only the ministers and deacons are to encourage or reprove someone with a need. Paul teaches us, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:1-2).

In addition to pastoring the home congregation, many ordained brethren are needed to serve on the various boards and committees of the church. The annual revival as we know it likewise requires the involvement of many ministers. These ministers must make their living and care for their families even though they leave home. This provides opportunities for the laity to help and support them.

Leaders sometimes become weary and perhaps a bit disheartened. We have the inspiring account in Exodus when the children of Israel were fighting the Amelikites. Moses stood on top of the hill with the rod of God in his hand. As long as he held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but when his arms began to sag the enemy prevailed. Aaron and Hur set Moses on a stone and held up his hands and, consequently, Israel won the battle.

Questions

1. In what ways can selfish interests or pride cause division?
2. Describe how the laity can hold up the arms of their leaders.
3. What makes the welfare of the kingdom our priority?
4. What did the apostle Paul mean when he said in Romans 11:13, “I magnify mine office?”
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).