Working Together
Notes
Transcript
What does organizational structure look like? Why do we have structure?
Organizational structure gives levels, or hierarchy of leadership. If we look at scripture, we see examples of organizational structure. The picture of God (the Father) as the head, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the elders, deacons, teachers, and members gives some level of organization to the church. Each looking up for direction at the next level until it reaches the top. It gives order, and structure to the church. Why do we need order and structure? Because it can overwhelm one person or a few people to try to do everything. We must come together as a body of believers to do the work of God. Doings so takes the buy in of all the body.
When Moses was guiding the Israelites through the wilderness, there seemed to be incessant grumblings. They weren’t happy with anything, even when God answered their requests. Their uneasiness was coming, though, from their disobedience towards God. At first, it was the manna - they were told to collect enough for two days on the sixth day and some…some waited until the seventh day - the day of rest - and expected God to go against His own commandment of rest on the Sabbath. Direct disobedience to God’s leader led to direct disobedience of God.
But God allows the Israelites to defeat Amalek, as he held his hands up, even taking Aaron and Hur to find him a stone to sit on and each of them holding Moses’ hands up, holding the staff of God.
We tend to overlook the fact that the Israelites were just common, everyday, sinful people just like us. Struggling to get through the day, and getting aggravated at one another in the process. Leading into Chapter 18, Jethro who is Moses’ father in law and the priest of Midian has come to Moses and is now watching him “lead”. Part of leading was being the mediator for the people. So while everything seemed to be going great, just winning a great battle, Moses was stuck listening to the complaints of the people and judging between them day in and day out. His father in law then gives unsolicited, but very wise advice on how to lead God’s people. He reminded Moses that he could not do it all alone, that he needed to surround himself with people he could trust, and that they were all on the same page - even though at times they seemed to be a little whiny.
As we look at creating, growing, and sustaining the disciples in this church, I think we must also realize we all have been given a place to work and do what God has called us to do.
No Lone Rangers
No Lone Rangers
Exodus 18:13–16 (ESV)
13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening.
14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?”
15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God;
16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.”
Good leaders know they cannot lead alone, there should not be Lone Rangers in ministry! Jethro saw that Moses was overworked, having to judge the people all day long - from morning until evening. He then offers a solution. Now, remember that Jethro was not only Moses’ father in law, but was a priest who had grown close during the 40 years Moses had worked for him in Midian.
16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
17 The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock.
18 When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?”
19 They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.”
20 He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.”
21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah.
Now, he sees Moses sitting as the sole judge for Israel. He could see it was not wise - there was a constant flow of issues, complaints, disagreements for somewhere between two to three million people. There was a backup of people, standing all day long to see the judge and have their case listed to. When Jethro asks why he was the only judge, Moses simply answered the people wanted to see him and him alone. The people demanded personal attention!
While personal attention is desired, it is not always feasible nor is it required. If we go to a large, reputable law firm with many partners, we do not expect and we sure don’t demand that the senior partner take care of a parking ticket. There are other lawyers available that will be able to address those issues and still interpret and advise you of the law adequately.
Within the church, it is very similar. We have deacons, teachers, department heads that are tasked with the every day tasks to help lead the church. As we look at growing through discipleship, we must look at a way to provide structure that will be able to handle growth and the questions that will come with that growth. It is wise for us to prepare now, so that we are ready instead of waiting until big questions arise and no one has an answer. Putting together strong documents - bylaws, membership covenants, and policies/procedures are imperative for us to operate efficiently.
This is where Jethro views Moses as being overworked and in need of others he can rely on. He warns of Burnout!
Burnout
Burnout
17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.
Jethro realizes that having a singular person in place to do everything would lead to burnout and inefficiency.
Inefficiency was coming from people waiting day after day after day to have their concerns heard. He warned about wearing out because he was trying to handle everything that was expected. Good leaders listen to the wise counsel of others, and act. Moses listed to his father in laws recommendations and would act accordingly.
With a church that is under a bi-vocational pastor, we have to recognize a need to put and efficient organizational structure in place. Putting tasks into smaller pieces and delegated to others within the church. To do this efficiently and effectively though, we must have more laborers. More people! A few people still cannot effectively do everything, it takes everyone coming together and working together to see the mission of creating, growing, and sustaining disciples. It takes team work.
Team Work
Team Work
19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God,
20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.
21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.
23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”
Good leaders listen to wise counsel and implement plans appropriately. Notice Jethro’s appeal first was to follow God. Represent the people before God, bring their cases to God, warn them about the statues and the laws, make them know what they must do. But, and there was a big interjection here - find able men who fear God, are trustworthy and honest and place THOSE men over groups of other people. Then let those men judge their people and bring matters to you when they need to.
Here is a prime example of a ministry plan. Whether it be a deacon ministry plan, or a church ministry plan, we should all be accountable to one another. Not anyone can fill these roles, though. It takes someone who can be discerning. Godly people who can be trusted to make these decisions, people that others can trust to make the right decisions. Those that are in these positions must look to God for guidance also.
Notice how Jethro goes about this, he knew that his idea should not be followed unless God approves of it first, and if God allowed then it would bring peace among God’s people.
Efficiency Achieved
Efficiency Achieved
24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.
25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
26 And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves.
27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.
Good leaders know how to recognize good guidance. Moses used his own wisdom and did what Jethro recommended. He looked for other wise men who were capable to leading others and placed them in positions of overseers. Sometimes we must re-evaluate the structure we currently are under and see if it is where God wants us to be. Restructuring and realignment can benefit the organization. It breaks the workload down into manageable bites and allows others to accomplish the mission and goal of the church. It brings additional laborers into the ranks, and allows for those God have called to step into roles God is calling them to. But these are not things that should be done hastily or without prayer and God’s direction. You see, in everything that goes on in the church, we should be asking God for strength and guidance.
Closing
Closing
Every church should be able to function as a shared ministry. Not one person or group should have control of everything. But, to achieve this shared ministry requires work among the people to identify those who are suited for leadership. Each of us have been given gifts of which God intends us to use to serve others.
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
Each of us are important and make up vital parts of the body of Christ so it functions as a whole.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
It takes us all coming together to see the ministry accomplish what God wants. You see, each member is to serve the church under the leadership of Jesus. To be a healthy ministry, a healthy church, we have to have an “every member ministry”. While some are leaders, everyone has an important part to play in the body of Christ. Some can pray, some can write notes, some can teach, some can serve meals, some can pack food boxes, but as a whole we all accomplish the ministry God has called us to.
Today, I ask, are you fulfilling the calling God has for your life? Are you serving God faithfully? Or, are you serving at all? Many within our church are silent and hidden servants, not looking for any recognition and not having to hold a title. You see, evangelism can be this easy - outreach is this easy - serving is this easy. Doing what God has called us to do in serving Him. Where is God calling you to serve? Are you willing to step up and follow where He leads?