“And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee”(Exodus 18:22).
TEXT — Exodus 18:13-27
Message
In our time, one major factor that enhances labour efficiency in production or service delivery is the release of responsibilities and work distribution by management or employer to lower-cadre personnel. As the top executives cede some assignments to the professionally capable junior ranks, a cordial relationship is established that gives the workers a sense of belonging, which, in turn, increases their level of efficiency and productivity.
This idea is not new. Years ago, the children of Israel applied this principle under the leadership of Moses in the wilderness as they headed for the Promised Land. It started as a counsel from the visiting Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law. He agonised over how Moses wore himself out all day attending to numerous issues brought by the people. He suggested a delegation of power to persons of capability and integrity to judge the people along with him at different levels. Moses implemented it and, obviously, was refreshed and focused on more arduous tasks.
In the church, God has always gifted people to be used for the expansion of His kingdom. What is required is for every one of us to draw from the rich reservoir of gifts and talents the Lord has graciously provided and present them for His use. And “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another…” (1 Peter 4:10).
Kingdom work will be more productive and pleasing to God when all human resources available in the church are harnessed for it. The leaders are not to live in a closet of their own ideas and the members are also not to operate as independent beings. Both are to freely share their ideas under the concerted guidance of their Spirit-filled leader.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
