Having understood clearly that I do not consider myself the quintessence of leadership, I do wish to address this subject. I speak here of leadership, not because I claim to be the prime example of leadership; but rather because I have seen so many examples of how not to lead. On the other hand, I have more positive examples of leadership than negative. I have had the privilege of working with great leaders. I have seen a few men attempt to lead and fail miserably. But I have seen more men lead with courage, truth, stability, and integrity.
Desiring to illustrate some traits of godly leadership, I know of no greater leader (excepting Jesus Christ) than Moses. Moses was the man who was called by God to deliver His people out of their bondage in Egypt. Some traits of Moses' life proves to be great characteristics of good leadership.
1) Moses was chosen by God to lead. The best leaders are God-called. Their leadership is an act of obedience to God Almighty; not a fulfillment of a political agenda; not a following of a personal career; not a job; not a means by which to attain popularity; but a direct act of obedience. Moses never asked to lead. He never approached God and said, "Make me the leader of your people." Actually, he attempted to get out of it! A person who shoves himself into the spotlight is not a godly leader. A godly leader is first chosen by God to lead.
2) Moses learned to lead. Before he took God's people from Egypt, across the desert, and to the brink of the promised land, we find him tending to the flock belonging to his father-in-law. He learned to lead sheep before he learned to lead people. Sheep are stubborn, self-willed, and slow learners; but they are easier to lead than people. He tended to this flock for years! We have, in our day, so many men who wish to be leaders, who have never led in small things; and who have never been a follower! Good followers make good leaders. Let me sit under a leader for just a couple of weeks, and I can tell you how good of a follower that person was prior to becoming a leader. If a man was a good follower, and could lead in the small areas of life; it will certainly be evident when he leads in the big areas of life.
3) Moses was one of the people. By this, I mean that Moses did not elevate himself higher than those he led. Offending one of the children of Israel was to offend Moses. He loved his people so much that he did not separate himself from them. As a matter of fact, when Israel sinned, God purposed to destroy the entire nation, except Moses. But Moses interceded for them, telling God, "If you're going to destroy Israel; destroy me." He did not see himself as being on a throne, and everyone else under him. He was one of them!
4) Moses led by example. He lived like the people lived. He did not feed Israel manna, and then find a secret place to ask God if He could feed him something better! When the cloud led the nation of Israel to go forward, Moses did not command the people to walk; Moses started walking! The greatest leaders must delegate responsibilities at times. Even Moses had to do this. At times, it is beneficial, and even necessary. But Moses didn't sit in an office and delegate orders all day. His number one order to the people of Israel was, "Follow me!" He led by example.
5) Moses was stern when it had to be that way. Moses had a fear of God, and he demanded it from the people. He never asked of them to do what he would not do; but demanded that the people please God. He had a fear of God, and this caused him "lay down the law (literally at times)!" Moses had high expectations for the people, demanding that they please God.
6) In contrast to the previous point, Moses was the meekest man on the face of the whole earth. He was gentle. Did you get that? Moses was a man who demanded strict adherence to the law; and AT THE SAME TIME, was the meekest man on the face of the earth. I will spend a little time on this one, because I have met some "leaders" who "tolerated no disobedience," but their spirit stunk to high heaven. Now, I am talking to those in authority (within the church). Listen carefully. If people cannot stand to be around you, you are absolutely an ungodly leader. Moses was strict; yet gentle. Moses was tough on law-breakers; but had an excellent spirit! It is possible to "lay the law down," AND "be meek (humble)" at the same time. If you can't reconcile the traits of strictness with meekness, I am certain you have elevated yourself to your position. You are not chosen by God to be in authority, and you need to get out of authority. If you are a pastor, youth leader, bus captain, Sunday School superintendent, overseer, bishop, or any other leader in a church or church-related scenario, I'm talking to you! If you walk into a room where there are people who are under your authority, and they quickly leave because they cannot stand your spirit - you need to either find an altar and get a good spirit (the Holy Ghost would be nice) or resign your position until you've sat under some good, godly leadership.
I am not saying that leaders should be soft concerning sin. Preach the Bible! Demand that those under you fear the Lord. I am for all of that. I am not talking about your strictness right now; I am talking about your spirit. I have heard so-called leaders brag because those who are under their authority are scared to approach them. Let's get this straight. If you are a leader, and those who are under your authority are scared to come to you with an issue, opinion, concern, or question, THAT IS NOT COMMENDABLE! It is sick enough to gag a maggot! The Bible says that the wisdom which is from above is first PEACEABLE, GENTLE, and EASY TO BE ENTREATED! If you are not easy to approach, you need to get off your high horse and get on your knees! You need to pray, as David prayed in his backslidden state, "Renew a RIGHT SPIRIT within me!" If you are in authority, and have a filthy, unapproachable spirit, I think you should be forced to follow orders of someone as mean as you are! Maybe that would adjust some attitudes!
It would benefit every leader to know that while they are in authority, they are also UNDER authority. Every leader will stand before God and give account of how they have led. If you are a person who condemns people to hell if they don't obey your every order, let me say that judgment will be dished out to you the way you have dished it out to others (Matthew 7:1, 2)! I have met some in authority who treated people like dirt. They thought that, since they were in authority, those who are under their authority must submit regardless of their filthy, ungodly spirit. If someone who is under your authority does not submit, they will give account. But if you, as the leader, do not rule with meekness, you will give account to God. Let me say this while I'm here. If people hate to be around you, you can make yourself feel good by saying things such as, "Oh, that's just my personality." Personality nothing! If your personality is not saved, you're not saved! You have no right to treat people in a disgusting fashion. When a man is chosen by God to lead, he understands that he, too, is under God's authority. Moses, like all God-called leaders, was strict, yet meek.
In Conclusion
Certainly, my little list of Moses' great leadership traits is neither exhaustive nor complete. I must say that, as for the negative aspects of this post, I am not referring to anyone personally. If that were the case, I would contact that individual personally, rather than writing my thoughts in a blog. I am not mad. I am not angry. I do, however, believe every word I have written, and take full responsibility for the words in this post. I am simply blogging some good traits of Moses' life that pave the way for godly leadership.
Furthermore, to eliminate any thoughts along these lines, the negative remarks in this post DO NOT reflect the leadership of my pastors, Bro. Carlos Burdine and Bro. Wayne Grace. These men are two of the most humble men and two of the greatest leaders I have known. They fit all of the traits I posted here. I thank God for these, and for the many godly leaders with whom I have been privileged to work.
Desiring to illustrate some traits of godly leadership, I know of no greater leader (excepting Jesus Christ) than Moses. Moses was the man who was called by God to deliver His people out of their bondage in Egypt. Some traits of Moses' life proves to be great characteristics of good leadership.
1) Moses was chosen by God to lead. The best leaders are God-called. Their leadership is an act of obedience to God Almighty; not a fulfillment of a political agenda; not a following of a personal career; not a job; not a means by which to attain popularity; but a direct act of obedience. Moses never asked to lead. He never approached God and said, "Make me the leader of your people." Actually, he attempted to get out of it! A person who shoves himself into the spotlight is not a godly leader. A godly leader is first chosen by God to lead.
2) Moses learned to lead. Before he took God's people from Egypt, across the desert, and to the brink of the promised land, we find him tending to the flock belonging to his father-in-law. He learned to lead sheep before he learned to lead people. Sheep are stubborn, self-willed, and slow learners; but they are easier to lead than people. He tended to this flock for years! We have, in our day, so many men who wish to be leaders, who have never led in small things; and who have never been a follower! Good followers make good leaders. Let me sit under a leader for just a couple of weeks, and I can tell you how good of a follower that person was prior to becoming a leader. If a man was a good follower, and could lead in the small areas of life; it will certainly be evident when he leads in the big areas of life.
3) Moses was one of the people. By this, I mean that Moses did not elevate himself higher than those he led. Offending one of the children of Israel was to offend Moses. He loved his people so much that he did not separate himself from them. As a matter of fact, when Israel sinned, God purposed to destroy the entire nation, except Moses. But Moses interceded for them, telling God, "If you're going to destroy Israel; destroy me." He did not see himself as being on a throne, and everyone else under him. He was one of them!
4) Moses led by example. He lived like the people lived. He did not feed Israel manna, and then find a secret place to ask God if He could feed him something better! When the cloud led the nation of Israel to go forward, Moses did not command the people to walk; Moses started walking! The greatest leaders must delegate responsibilities at times. Even Moses had to do this. At times, it is beneficial, and even necessary. But Moses didn't sit in an office and delegate orders all day. His number one order to the people of Israel was, "Follow me!" He led by example.
5) Moses was stern when it had to be that way. Moses had a fear of God, and he demanded it from the people. He never asked of them to do what he would not do; but demanded that the people please God. He had a fear of God, and this caused him "lay down the law (literally at times)!" Moses had high expectations for the people, demanding that they please God.
6) In contrast to the previous point, Moses was the meekest man on the face of the whole earth. He was gentle. Did you get that? Moses was a man who demanded strict adherence to the law; and AT THE SAME TIME, was the meekest man on the face of the earth. I will spend a little time on this one, because I have met some "leaders" who "tolerated no disobedience," but their spirit stunk to high heaven. Now, I am talking to those in authority (within the church). Listen carefully. If people cannot stand to be around you, you are absolutely an ungodly leader. Moses was strict; yet gentle. Moses was tough on law-breakers; but had an excellent spirit! It is possible to "lay the law down," AND "be meek (humble)" at the same time. If you can't reconcile the traits of strictness with meekness, I am certain you have elevated yourself to your position. You are not chosen by God to be in authority, and you need to get out of authority. If you are a pastor, youth leader, bus captain, Sunday School superintendent, overseer, bishop, or any other leader in a church or church-related scenario, I'm talking to you! If you walk into a room where there are people who are under your authority, and they quickly leave because they cannot stand your spirit - you need to either find an altar and get a good spirit (the Holy Ghost would be nice) or resign your position until you've sat under some good, godly leadership.
I am not saying that leaders should be soft concerning sin. Preach the Bible! Demand that those under you fear the Lord. I am for all of that. I am not talking about your strictness right now; I am talking about your spirit. I have heard so-called leaders brag because those who are under their authority are scared to approach them. Let's get this straight. If you are a leader, and those who are under your authority are scared to come to you with an issue, opinion, concern, or question, THAT IS NOT COMMENDABLE! It is sick enough to gag a maggot! The Bible says that the wisdom which is from above is first PEACEABLE, GENTLE, and EASY TO BE ENTREATED! If you are not easy to approach, you need to get off your high horse and get on your knees! You need to pray, as David prayed in his backslidden state, "Renew a RIGHT SPIRIT within me!" If you are in authority, and have a filthy, unapproachable spirit, I think you should be forced to follow orders of someone as mean as you are! Maybe that would adjust some attitudes!
It would benefit every leader to know that while they are in authority, they are also UNDER authority. Every leader will stand before God and give account of how they have led. If you are a person who condemns people to hell if they don't obey your every order, let me say that judgment will be dished out to you the way you have dished it out to others (Matthew 7:1, 2)! I have met some in authority who treated people like dirt. They thought that, since they were in authority, those who are under their authority must submit regardless of their filthy, ungodly spirit. If someone who is under your authority does not submit, they will give account. But if you, as the leader, do not rule with meekness, you will give account to God. Let me say this while I'm here. If people hate to be around you, you can make yourself feel good by saying things such as, "Oh, that's just my personality." Personality nothing! If your personality is not saved, you're not saved! You have no right to treat people in a disgusting fashion. When a man is chosen by God to lead, he understands that he, too, is under God's authority. Moses, like all God-called leaders, was strict, yet meek.
In Conclusion
Certainly, my little list of Moses' great leadership traits is neither exhaustive nor complete. I must say that, as for the negative aspects of this post, I am not referring to anyone personally. If that were the case, I would contact that individual personally, rather than writing my thoughts in a blog. I am not mad. I am not angry. I do, however, believe every word I have written, and take full responsibility for the words in this post. I am simply blogging some good traits of Moses' life that pave the way for godly leadership.
Furthermore, to eliminate any thoughts along these lines, the negative remarks in this post DO NOT reflect the leadership of my pastors, Bro. Carlos Burdine and Bro. Wayne Grace. These men are two of the most humble men and two of the greatest leaders I have known. They fit all of the traits I posted here. I thank God for these, and for the many godly leaders with whom I have been privileged to work.
