Jethro arrived on the scene with Moses and saw something he never believed he would see: approximately 1-million people from time to time taking their problems to Moses (obviously Moses was a leadership stud if he could handle this). He sat Moses down and gave him some advice:
“What you’re doing is not good,” Moses’ father-in-law said to him.”You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone. Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and God be with you. You be the one to represent the people before God and bring their cases to Him. Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do. But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating bribes. Place [them] over the people as officials of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They should judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you every important case but judge every minor case themselves. In this way you will lighten your load, and they will bear [it] with you. If you do this, and God [so] directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied.” Exodus 18:17-23 (Emphasis added)
If you are a leader, Jethro released you to give the ministry away to others, telling you how to do it and who to look for. Look at this:
- The “how to”: Instruct them and teach them. If you are leading people, take time to understand the expectations of the position. I love that he notes that there are issues of integrity associated with leadership (“the way to live”) as well as the things to do.
- The “who”: And I’m not talking about the old guys that played at halftime of the Super Bowl. Here’s who you are looking for: able men (or women), God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating bribes. We often focus on those who are “able” and neglect their relationship with God. Just a reminder: those in ministry should be spiritual.
Thanks Jethro for showing us a better way of leadership. No matter what size of church you have or how many staff members, you should be giving leadership away to others.
This is the first time reading this blog. I have to say, it has started off well in my opinion. I like to be encouraged in leardership. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with all I have to do but then you are reminded of stories about Moses and Jethro’s great guidence. I’m very grateful that Josh has been both Moses and Jethro to me. He has played both roles for me and many times in the last few years. I love God for using his servents so magnificently in the past and in the present. Thanks Josh!