Jethro: Pre-Church Growth Specialist

Last night I had a meeting with our ladies’ committee. We were planning a couple of upcoming events for the women of our church and the community. It’s a lot of work and if I had to do it myself…well, I probably wouldn’t. Our combined gifts and personalities make the improbable possible.

Put them to work!

In Exodus 18, Moses’ father-in-law confronts Moses about trying to do everything by himself. The issue wasn’t so much the workload that Moses was carrying but the responsibility that he had assumed that wasn’t his. People came to Moses to “seek God’s will” and to have Moses settle their disputes (18:15, 16, NIV). Jethro then gave his son-in-law some good advice:

“You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform” (18:19, 20, NIV).

The primary task of a spiritual leader is not to make decisions FOR people, but to teach them how to make good decisions for themselves. This is why Paul reminds us that our church leaders are to be able to teach (1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:24). When people know what the Word says and how to handle it and apply it, there will a lot fewer of them pounding on the pastor’s door looking for counseling.

But Jethro went on: “But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves” (18:21, 22, NIV).

There are times when a mediator is necessary. If people are trained in the Word and how to handle it, then they can become as equipped to resolve conflict as any pastor. Part of the job of leadership is to discover those among the congregation who can become shepherds. In one church I worked in the deacons were all assigned a portion of the congregation. People knew who their deacon/shepherd was and went to him if they needed help. More difficult problems could then be referred to the pastor as necessary.

Taking Jethro’s advice was sound spiritually, physically and emotionally. “That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied” (18:22, 23, NIV).

Sound advice all the way around.