Democratizing Leadership
Democratizing Leadership
What you are doing isn’t good. You will certainly wear yourself out — and not only yourself, but these people herewith you as well. It’s too much for you — you can’t do it alone, by yourself (Exodus 18:17,18)
Yethro’s words to Moshe are quite insightful. Those in leadership positions, who try to do everything themselves, without delegation,do not last long in their positions. They either burn-out or are forced out by those more senior in the hierarchy. Was it possible that Moses reached the point of exhaustion because of the lack of commitment of some or of many of his “congregation”? Perhaps Jethro reminded Moses that God asked him to shepherd a flock (2 millions?) not on an individual basis. It is likely Moses became consumed with all the individual problems brought to his attention. How could he lead if he was not in control anymore? Deuteronomy 1 and Acts 6 speak clearly to this issue. Even Yeshua was not ministering alone.
Unfortunately, many autocratic leaders of organizations and, sometimes, fellowships impose such strict rules and guidelines, they tend to stifle growth and become legalistic in their governance and practice, rather than promoting the freedom and fellowship desired by their members. Yahveh’s Word has much to say about this.
In Ephesians 4:12,13, Rav Sha’ul, the Apostle Paul, tells us the spiritual leader’s “task is to equip God’s people for the work of service that builds the body of the Messiah, until we all arrive at the unity implied by trusting and knowing the Son of God, at full manhood, at the standard of maturity set by the Messiah’s perfection.” Sha’ul is not telling us that those in leadership must do all the work themselves, rather, they must teach and guide others to do Yahveh’s work throughout the land. What does this say to us today?
Are you working non-stop? Are there not enough hours in the day for what you need to do? This, then, is the time to stop and begin to seriously consider that you need help. You can’t do this on your own. Consider what you are doing to your health, your sanity, those with whom you have a loving relationship. Think about asking someone else to take on some of your responsibility, while you work on more important issues.
Are you doing what you have been called to do? Do you remember the gifts Yahveh has given you? He gave you these for a specific purpose. If you are not being true to those gifts, perhaps you are on the wrong course and need to adjust your direction.
Begin sharing your load with other qualified leaders. Perhaps you are training others within the ministry to engage His Work. Why not share some of your load with them, so as to more fully ensure they are receiving real-life experience. Give them some of your less important tasks and you assume the role of mentor and supervisor.
Beloved, what you do in the ministry should only be what others cannot do or have not been given the gift. If others see you delegating your responsibility and authority to others, they will be given a great gift. The wisdom of delegation is biblically based. Any leader would be wise to endorse this practice and keep walking on the narrow path of Yahveh’s will.
CONSIDER: Are you, like Moshe was, engaged in such mundane work that your leadership role has been forgotten? Are others left with a minimum amount of responsibility and authority, while you are overwhelmed and working your fingers to the bone?
ACT: I urge you to consider the benefits of sharing your workload with others, training and guiding them towards fulfilling their callings.
PRAY: Abba, Father, I know you have a specific task for me to accomplish, while I am here on this earth. I pray you help me understand the need to train others to do what has been gifted them, enabling them to fulfill their giftings. In Your Beloved Name I pray.
Heart For Messiah 