May the mumbling commence!
In a rapidly dwindling church in the United States, burnout is a very real possibility. We need to find ways of identifying the gifts of the Body of Christ so that one small group of active members does not bear the brunt of the ministry tasks. Much like the suggestion that Moses’ father-in-law suggested to Moses. Read from Exodus chapter eighteen:
The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people's complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from morning till evening.
When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "Why are you trying to do all this alone? The people have been standing here all day to get your help."
Moses replied, "Well, the people come to me to seek God's guidance. When an argument arises, I am the one who settles the case. I inform the people of God's decisions and teach them his laws and instructions."
"This is not good!" his father-in-law exclaimed. "You're going to wear yourself out – and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you.
You should continue to be the people's representative before God, bringing him their questions to be decided. You should tell them God's decisions, teach them God's laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct their lives.
But find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. These men can serve the people, resolving all the ordinary cases. Anything that is too important or too complicated can be brought to you. But they can take care of the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.
If you follow this advice, and if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace." (Verses 13-23)
Find those people with the talents necessary to carry out various aspects of ministry and set them to work. Leaders should help train people and decide the hardest of problems. It is a much more efficient way of handling things… rather than just a few people trying to do everything. It wearies the servants and those who wait forever to be served.
It is okay to consider the organizational forms of this world. They can potentially help us to minister before our Lord. But we also must remember the council of Jethro: Do as God directs you to do. Let us never lose sight of the center of our ministry – the Lord God. Let’s be like the faithful servant Jesus referred to at the end of Matthew chapter twenty-four:
"Who is a faithful, sensible servant, to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family? If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
But if the servant is evil and thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while, and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk – well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Verses 45-51)
May we be diligent in serving you, O Lord… serving you together.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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