Responsible Leadership

“…So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.”…Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control – for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies – then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him… Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves.  But now, if  You will, forgive their sin – and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You has written!”…Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just  as a man speaks to his friend”  Exodus 32:14;25,26,31,32;   33:11a 

Moses, human though he was – showed great responsibility in leadership.  He pleaded the case of his people to the LORD, being so persuasive that the LORD changed His mind.  Minister Matthew Henry (1662-1714) penned in his commentary, “The power of prayer; God suffers himself to be prevailed with by the humble believing importunity of intercessors.  The compassion of God toward sinners, and how he is ready to forgive.”    

Moses begged God not to act out of His anger that He felt .  Yet, when God gave Moses the request of his heart, Moses turned around and got angry himself with the people, moving swiftly to see that justice was carried out.  He did on his own, in part, what he begged God not to do. 

Then acknowledging the people’s sin before the LORD, Moses adds that if the LORD is going to blot people out of His book – to blot out himself as well.  Moses, in a sense took on the responsibility for the sin of the people even through he was not a participant in the blatantly rebellious acts they performed.   Moses identified with the people he led, being willing to take punishment along with them.  Perhaps Moses understood, given different circumstances, he could have succumbed as well.  If we understand  the nature of temptation and the truth of our humanness, we know that none of us are immune to falling.   “There but by the grace of God, go I.”   Maybe Moses could identify with the people because of the humbleness of his spirit.  Even though what they did was awful, and justice needed to be carried out, Moses was able to appeal to the mercy of God’s character because he understood he also needed God’s mercy for himself. 

Moses was a peacemaker and reconciler between God and the Israelites.  Moses was a friend of God and a leader of the people. 

In leadership, sometimes people will disappoint us.  We may grieve when they sin, and part of our grief is in realizing that we could be in that other person’s shoes.  As a leader our job is to pray to the LORD on behalf of the people we lead, and then be responsible to do the right thing in the eyes of the LORD.  We may have to lovingly discipline people.  We may have to turn away (Romans 16:17) those who cause division.  But for those whom we are called to lead – we identify with them and bring their needs before the LORD.  We shepherd, we nurture, we admonish, we love.  We exhort people to stay true to the LORD. We lead responsibly.

I Don't Know All the Answers!

So you have taken that step of faith and said yes when that church leader asked you to become a Life Group leader!  You read the material, previewed the teaching video and you are ready to open your home and heart to others so that you might have this Life Group experience together!  Awesome!   And, you are terrified!!  Terrified, because you just know they are going to ask you questions that you can't answer.  Terrified because they will figure out that you are not a great Bible Scholar and you are apprehensive about those awkward moments when you invite someone new over.  Guess what?  You are in a great place!

All those thoughts and feelings of inadequacy not only indicates a sense of humility but a recognition of a needed dependence on God.  And that is key! 

II Corinthians 3:4-6a tells us, "We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ.  It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own.  Our qualification comes from God.  He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenant."  (NLT)

God is pleased when we step out in faith and obey Him.  Perhaps you experienced a prompting in your spirit to start a Life Group.  Maybe you saw the need and seeing no one else willing to step up, you looked around and said, "I'll do it."  Good for you!

Everything of spiritual significance that we step into needs to begin with prayer.  How often the Israelites got in hot water because they often went charging into battle without consulting the Lord.  We need to seek His will and His enabling through prayer.  So first base for being a Life Group Leader is to step it up in the area of prayer.  Pray for God's leading.  Pray for those God would have come to this group. 

Next, be a student of the word, but also be a fellow traveler on the journey of life.  People don't need an expert, but they do need someone who is real, who is growing in their walk of faith, and who is willing to say at times, "I don't know the answer to that, but I will study on it this week and we can talk about it next week.  There are great Bible study resources available and a church staff that would love to hear your Bible questions and direct your in searching for your answers.

Third, just be your self.  God has amazing ways of bringing together people in groups and finding that although they may be diverse, we have a common faith which causes us to be called brothers and sisters in Christ.  That indicates an amazing bond that is available to us as believers.

A great journey is ahead.  Pray, be a student of the Word, be humble, teachable, and yourself.  People want to such follow leaders!  God bless you on your new endeavor as a Life Group Leader!!