Do you regularly pray for leaders? We are told to pray for those who lead our country. (I Timothy 2:1 - 3) Surprisingly, the Bible never (to my knowledge) tells us to pray for church leaders. Yet I guarantee they need God's help and thus need you to pray for that help to be extended. (We often read the Apostle Paul asking Christians to pray for him.)
The role of a leader is not easy, for a variety of reasons. Perhaps no one illustrates the challenges and burdens of leadership more than Moses. I was reviewing his painful example today as I read in the book of Numbers.
Many leaders become discouraged, but few have become as discouraged as Moses did. (Of course few ever faced such daunting leadership challenges as Moses did.) After another round of complaining from the nation of Israel, longing for the good (?) old days in Egypt (11:5), Moses has had enough. He says to God: "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? --- If this how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now - if I have found favour in your eyes - and do not let me face my own ruin." (11:11 - 15)
What a painful cry from a frustrated, discouraged, lonely leader! In this case, God provided for Moses some excellent help, and Moses burden of leadership is lightened.
In the next chapter, Moses' is criticized and challenged by his own family, his closest advisors, those who should have been his strongest supporters. Miriam and Aaron evidently are envious of Moses position, and assert that Moses is not so unique! They are equal to him! (Of course they are older; was there something here to do with sibling rivalry?) Are they trying to take his role, or just trying for more power and more prestige? Scripture does not elaborate. It simply records that God steps in and strongly, dramatically rebukes Miriam and Aaron for challenging Moses' leadership.
Right now you may have one or more discouraged leaders in your church. Perhaps not so discouraged that they want to die - but perhaps discouraged enough that they think about quitting. Will you pray for them?
While all leaders make mistakes, and all leaders need to be accountable to someone(s), it is often true that they receive more than their fair share of criticism. It especially hurts when attacks come from those who are close to the leader, from those who should be supporters as co-workers. Please pray that your leaders will stand strong when receiving unjustified criticism. Pray that when it is justified, it will be shared lovingly.
I believe strongly in multiple leadership. The burden of leading any but the smallest group is too large to be borne alone. Wise leaders make sure they are part of a team of leaders. However even when this is the case, some decisions, some roles must be taken by one person. And it is still true, it can be very lonely at the top. So please - pray for your leaders.
The role of a leader is not easy, for a variety of reasons. Perhaps no one illustrates the challenges and burdens of leadership more than Moses. I was reviewing his painful example today as I read in the book of Numbers.
Many leaders become discouraged, but few have become as discouraged as Moses did. (Of course few ever faced such daunting leadership challenges as Moses did.) After another round of complaining from the nation of Israel, longing for the good (?) old days in Egypt (11:5), Moses has had enough. He says to God: "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? --- If this how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now - if I have found favour in your eyes - and do not let me face my own ruin." (11:11 - 15)
What a painful cry from a frustrated, discouraged, lonely leader! In this case, God provided for Moses some excellent help, and Moses burden of leadership is lightened.
In the next chapter, Moses' is criticized and challenged by his own family, his closest advisors, those who should have been his strongest supporters. Miriam and Aaron evidently are envious of Moses position, and assert that Moses is not so unique! They are equal to him! (Of course they are older; was there something here to do with sibling rivalry?) Are they trying to take his role, or just trying for more power and more prestige? Scripture does not elaborate. It simply records that God steps in and strongly, dramatically rebukes Miriam and Aaron for challenging Moses' leadership.
Right now you may have one or more discouraged leaders in your church. Perhaps not so discouraged that they want to die - but perhaps discouraged enough that they think about quitting. Will you pray for them?
While all leaders make mistakes, and all leaders need to be accountable to someone(s), it is often true that they receive more than their fair share of criticism. It especially hurts when attacks come from those who are close to the leader, from those who should be supporters as co-workers. Please pray that your leaders will stand strong when receiving unjustified criticism. Pray that when it is justified, it will be shared lovingly.
I believe strongly in multiple leadership. The burden of leading any but the smallest group is too large to be borne alone. Wise leaders make sure they are part of a team of leaders. However even when this is the case, some decisions, some roles must be taken by one person. And it is still true, it can be very lonely at the top. So please - pray for your leaders.
No comments:
Post a Comment