"The Burdens of Ministry & Marketplace Leaders"

There is such a thing as a "burden of leadership", but really understanding what that means exactly - and "who" the lionshare of that burden should rest upon, is something quite different!

In my consultancy through the years, with both church and marketplace leadership, I have seen an awful lot of imbalance, fear, and flaming appetites operating - all in the name of the Lord; while the people suffer and wander due to the growing leadership vaccum that is devastating and crippling many communities from experiencing the reality of the Kingdom of God.

During a recent training class I conducted on behalf of The Associated Churches of Christ Holiness in Pasadena, the subject matter was 'Christian Leadership & Advocacy'. The focus of my time was to eliminate the "false burden" of leadership, while identifying the "true burden" - based upon the authority of scripture, and not our traditions and preferences that directly conflicts with God's word.

In Isaiah 9, the Bible says "the government shall be upon His shoulders". That entails understanding of what the "kingdom" is, and what it isn't.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD (Deuteronomy 6:4, Ezra 3:1, Ezekiel 37:17, Genesis 22:2, Amos 8:10, Zechariah 12:10)

– The Godhead’s Sovereign Economy, 
— Divine Government, 
— Providential Authority and 
— Compound Unity

The Bible speaks of the unity of God. Moses wrote.

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4).

God Cannot Be Divided

The doctrine of the Trinity does not mean that God is a composite being made up of three gods but rather He is a unity. As a unity God cannot be divided. The technical term is "indivisible." God cannot be divided, neither is He made up of multiple substances. The members of the Trinity are not separate beings within the one divine essence. God is one in number.

There Is An Absolute And A Compound Unity

While Scripture teaches that God is a unity we must realize there is a difference between an absolute and compound unity. For example, if we say "one man" we are referring to an absolute unity because only one person is in view. However, when the Scripture says the man and woman will be "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24) this is a compound unity. This is because the union consists of two distinct persons.

Examples Of A Compound Unity

We find examples of compound unity in the following passages.

Now when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem (Ezra 3:1).

The many people were as one. In Ezekiel we read.

Then join them for yourself one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand (Ezekiel 37:17).

Both of these passages used the same Hebrew word (echad) for one as Deuteronomy 6:4. It speaks of a compound unity.

Examples Of An Absolute Unity

When the idea of absolute unity, or absolute oneness, is meant, the Hebrew word yachidh is used.

He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you" (Genesis 22:2).

In the Book of Amos it says.

I will turn your religious feasts into mourning and all your singing into weeping. I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day (Amos 8:10).

Zechariah wrote.

I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn (Zechariah 12:10).

This Hebrew word is used about a dozen times in the Old Testament. It is never used to describe the unity of God.

A comparison of the passages where the different Hebrew words are used shows that a compound unity is what is in mind in Deuteronomy 6:4. Furthermore, the fact that the word for God in Hebrew is Elohim, a plural noun, we have further inference of a compound unity.

Summary

There is a difference between a compound unity and an absolute unity. When we speak of "one man" we would be speaking of an absolute unity. When referring to man and woman being "one flesh" we would be speaking of a compound unity. The Hebrew word yachidh is used of something that is an absolute unity while the word echad is used of a compound unity.

The God of the Bible is a compound unity. This is evidenced by the use of the Hebrew term echad, when speaking of God. Although there is only one God who exists, within the nature of the one God are three distinct persons. The fact that the word echad is used of the God of Scripture further confirms his Trinitarian nature.

The Characteristics of the Kingdom:

·         Spiritual – divinely established authority, with complete supremacy and superior dominance to everything in and under the creative order (Isaiah 9)

·         Eternal – without beginning or end; while every incorruptible seed that is sown to the Spirit lives on forever throughout eternity (Luke 14)

·         Indivisible – no confusion, no division, no competitive disadvantage, and no superior opposition, by earthly and demonic rulers or powers (Genesis 2:24, Ecclesiastes 4:12)

·         Unshakeable – never ceasing to expand, increase or proliferate (Hebrews 12:28-29)

·         Immutable – absolute in power, indisputable in essence, and undeniable in prevailing triumphant and victorious (1 Corinthians 15:12-26)

We are a part of the Kingdom of God, which requires our cooperation and participation with the Holy Spirit's leading. But, the shouldering of The Father's agenda, including: a) the needs of the people, b) the provisions for ministry, c) the future direction of the church, or d) the ultimate development of the believer, is NOT our burden to carry alone - in our own strength, according to our own ingenuity, and outside of His explicit guidance; but, by faith in HIS grace and in HIS wisdom alone.

The "real" burden of leadership requires accountability, commitment, and discipline to do the following:

1. The ongoing preparation of the heart of every believer (especially leaders), through the sincere and consistent devotion to Christ as the priority. "Lead the people", by being intentionally led and committed to your walk with The Lord.
2. The prayerful diligence to stay at HIS feet should govern what initiates or provokes our intercession on behalf of others. If the needs of the people has become "our primary burden", we are abdicating and mismanaging our authority in Christ, by attempting to shoulder what we're ONLY meant to change "through prayer".
3. The sensitivity to move with every ebb and flow of the Spirit's leading, is how "HE always leads us in triumph, in Christ", as we walk with, serve alongside, and "mutually submit to one another". Even while facing lack or loss, the "enduring toughness" that's associated with a true solder in God's Army, means that we ALL maintain the "winning attitude" - while the battle is raging and the storms are brewing all around us.
4. To shift every burden we weren't meant to carry, God allows circumstances and problems to strategically lead us into a "cycle of dependence" upon HIM! Then, the "best positioning" for the believer becomes to remain centrally focused upon HIS agenda at all times; and especially when "our agenda" is "on hold", "in limbo", or simply "unclear", during certain seasons of time.
5. To accept responsibilities we were meant to carry, we must be committed to:
• build our own capacities to lead
• discipline our own flesh from ruling over us
• eat "humble pie", instead of demanding our own way
• wait on the Lord "in faith", with patience, and a servant's heart, while staying focused on personal growth and development as a priority

FINAL THOUGHT

The "leadership vacuum" that exist amongst many struggling church communities, is NOT simply due to the "lack of qualified people" present, but, to the limited understanding we all have of God's expectation for "every believer", to effectively shoulder the burden of ministry "in HIS Name" without excuse!

So, the "burden of leadership" is NOT just about the breakdown or ineffectiveness of leaders in effectively leading God's people, but the people's negligence - in "assuming leadership", according to God's Will for every believer; while carrying out the very important work of God's kingdom. To see it's ongoing advancement "in each of our lives", every believer must actively "take responsibility", without continuing to place an undue burden upon church leaders to do their part; and then turnaround and have to "carry the people", simultaneously.

How do we strategically change the course of this "real" battlefront in Christ's Church and amongst HIS people concerning the true and false burden of leadership, while getting the "pew-sitting priesthood" to engage and enlist in the work of God's Kingdom?

Provide systematic teaching that communicates the "whole counsel of God's Word", in fully comprehending and understanding the characteristics and dynamics of the Kingdom of God; provide real-life examples and testimonials of God's supernatural wonders at work amongst HIS people; and then, just allow "life" and the normal tests that it brings, to balance and center us ALL to "assume leadership" and its untimely demands as time continues. 

Ephesians 4, is the kingdom framework that illustrates this: Read David Guzik’s Commentary and Study Guide on this chapter for edification and enrichment.

End of Blog. WS-3

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