Date:  June 27th, 2010

Speaker:  Pastor Kevin Snyder

Title: Use My Hands...

Text:  Exodus 18

 

Introduction

 

Let me begin with 3 stories of leaders

 

David Cho

Pastor of largest church in world – Seoul Korea. Number 830,000 in 2007. Hold 7 services a day, he leads 2 and you have to come an hour early to get a seat.

Cho was Buddhist when came to Christ at 19.  Won by an unknown girl that talked to him daily about Jesus when he was suffering from terminal tuberculosis.

Accepted Christ because he thought he was going to die.  But he didn’t die.

God called him to ministry…trained.

Started a church in friend’s house.  Only people who came were friend, his wife and 3 daughters.  1958

But church began to grow.  They built a 1500 seat sanctuary in 1961& by 1964 they numbered 3000.

In the meantime, Cho had been continuing to overwork, and suffered a collapse in 1965. It was while he lay in the hospital that he discovered a new way of doing church.  Realizing that the work of leading a large congregation was too much for one person, Cho divided the city of Seoul into twenty zones, or "cells," as he called them, and began training leaders for each cell, who would hold services for worship and Bible study in their homes during the week. Cell leaders were encouraged to invite non-Christian neighbours to attend, to learn about Christianity. Each cell leader was required to train an assistant, and when cell membership reached a certain number, the assistant leader would form a new cell, taking about half of the old cell with him or her.

The success of this concept of cell multiplication surprised even optimistic church members. By 1968, the church numbered eight thousand members; in addition to weekly cell meetings, the church was holding three Sunday services.

In 1973, a new ten thousand-seat auditorium was completed. In the same year, Prayer Mountain, a sanctuary where individuals can lock themselves away in small cubicles for prayer and fasting, was established. Expanded in 1982 to accommodate ten thousand people, Prayer Mountain is now visited by more than a million people each year, including some ten thousand foreign pilgrims. The church continued to grow exponentially; its membership reached 400,000 in 1984, and 700,000 in 1992. In the 1990s, Cho decided that rather than expanding further, the church should establish satellite churches in other parts of the city. Goals for the decade of 2000-2010 include the establishment of some five thousand satellite churches and five hundred prayer houses, similar to Prayer Mountain.

Cho has spent more than 44 years emphasizing the importance of cell group ministry, which he believes is the key to church growth, as well as team ministry. 

 

Story #2:

Stan Hoffman- probably the most successful missionary in the COG ever.  Largely responsible for planting over 500 churches in Uganda with over 50,000 believers, 400 churches in Zambia with over 40,000 believers probably over 1000 in Africa.  Could be close to 100,000 believers.  1 missionary couple.

 

How did they do it?

Well, when I was there I saw the system.

Go in and speak in village & teach.

Discern best leader and put him in TEE.

When an area got 5 - 10 churches…chose a district pastor.  Train them.

Region – regional evangelist who would go to new areas and plant more churches and oversee area.

When I was there to teach – teaching mostly these district pastors and regional evangelists.

Story # 3 – outside church

Back in the 90’s there was a president of was a president of Harvard University named Neil Rudenstine. Now, one of the major roles of college president is to raise money for the institution so they can pay the salaries and other financial responsibilities of the organization. And Neil Rudenstine was very good at meeting that need. For three years - since he became the school’s president - he methodically raised a $1 million a day for Harvard.

Article in Harvard Crimson – school paper:

In the first 30 months, he had to raise $650 million.

“He nearly broke himself in those first two years. He was never quite the same on the other side of his leave of absence. He decided he was going to have to ration his energies. I think he was often exhausted,” Gomes observes.

He was, in fact, exhausted. By 1994, he had run down his own health to the point that he had to take three months off. His then-provost, Al Carnesale, took over as acting president, and Rudenstine became the national poster boy for exhaustion.

“He was staying up all night writing notes to everybody who did anything for Harvard,” Stone remembers.

“He focuses on you and your concerns, rather than his own, however pressing these may be,” Knowles says.

“His whole presidency has always been about Harvard and what’s good for Harvard. It’s not about Neil Rudenstine and what’s good for Neil Rudenstine,” adds his provost, Harvey V. Fineberg ’67.

Rudenstine acknowledges that he should have realized that he was “pressing too hard” at the beginning of his tenure.

“It’s not just because it wasn’t good for me,” he says. “It wasn’t good for Harvard.”

One morning in November, he overslept and just couldn’t manage to make himself go to work. When he went to the doctor, he was diagnosed with “severe fatigue and exhaustion.” The directors insisted he took an indefinite leave of absence to recover.
So he did.
And he didn’t return for the next seven days.
In fact, he didn’t return for the next seven weeks.
In fact, he spent the next seven months recovering from his fatigue. (Courtesy of Victor Yap Sermoncentral.com based on stories from Newsweek 3/6/95, U.S. News & World Report 12/12/94) 

 

Key:

They didn’t do it alone.  They followed Jethro’s advice (not Jethro Clampit)

 

In Exodus 18 Jethro shared a pattern with Moses about how to successfully minister.  It is the first example of “lay ministry” in Scripture.  It is a pattern we see expressed by Jesus and adopted by the early church.

It’s a lesson that every pastor & church that wants to grow and effectively minister has to catch.  Message is “You can’t do it alone.”

 

Let’s look at this scripture

Exodus 18

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt.

2 Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. 3 (Moses’ first son was named Gershom,?*? for Moses had said when the boy was born, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” 4 His second son was named Eliezer,?*? for Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”) 5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.”

7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. 9 Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.

10 “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! 11 I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.”

12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence.

Jethro’s Wise Advice

13 The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.

14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”

15 Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. 16 When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”

17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. 18 “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. 19 Now listen to me, and 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 their disputes to him. 20 Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. 21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 22 They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. 23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”

24 Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. 25 He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 26 These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.

27 Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.

  

APPLY:

• People out of Egypt and wandering through desert.
• When Moses led the people of God out of Egypt there were at least 600,000 men with their wives and children (Exodus 12:37). And all day long, every day for several weeks, he’s been in the desert with these people and he has constantly been judging their many conflicts and disputes.
  He’s doing it alone. 

• And Jethro, his father-in-law comes along and watches this.  What he sees is Moses putting in long hours trying to meet the needs of all these people.

• And he says: Moses:  "What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” Exodus 18:17b-18
  
  It’s obvious that it’s tiring Moses out. He’s been doing this from early morning till late at night for several weeks now. Jethro can see the fatigue in Moses’ eyes and he sees how haggard Moses appears each day.
  
  And it’s obvious that the people aren’t real happy with this arrangement either. It’s wearing them out as well too.
  

• Have you ever stood in a long line at the Grocery store or at Walmart? Have you ever gotten impatient & started grumbling why don’t they have more staff on and open more tills?

It’s frustrating…I whine in those moments.  If it happens a lot I think twice of going to that store.

 

Well, imagine what it would be like if you had to wait in line for HOURS/DAYS/WEEKS to get service! Out here in the desert… there’s over a million people… and only one line to stand in.
You can kind of get the idea of what this must have been like for the average Israelite. They were grumbling:

“We should turf this Moses guy.  Maybe get someone with more energy.”

 

And it was hard on Moses.

If you follow the Exodus story you see 2 sides to the people’s complaints.

Moses’ 2 Burdens 

 

a. Direction (Leadership) “Where are you taking us?  “Did you bring us out here to die?”

People wanted Moses to give them direction, vision.  He was charged with that. 

b. Care – (Shepherd) “Are you able to help me?” They came to him it says “to settle their disputes”

 

Moses carried like every Pastor those 2 burdens.  The burden of giving direction, (leadership) and the burden of caring (shepherd) to the people.  And when people are in the wilderness – where they are facing hard times in their personal lives, or feeling unsure of where the ship is going you get whining.

• Some say -“You need to spend more time giving direction and leadership and navigating us out of this wilderness.
• Others standing back in the line are hollering “What about me?  I have a major problem here and you don’t seem to care.”

 

And Moses is saying

Deut 1: 9:

9 Moses continued, “At that time I told you, ‘You are too great a burden for me to carry all by myself. 10 The Lord your God has increased your population, making you as numerous as the stars! 11 And may the Lord, the God of your ancestors, multiply you a thousand times more and bless you as he promised! 12 But you are such a heavy load to carry! How can I deal with all your problems and bickering?  

 

I don’t have time to lead because I can’t even get through all the problems.

I know that dilemma.

• I know the pressure of trying to lead and navigate us through a major campaign of the Centre and giving leadership.  There probably isn’t a day goes by where someone doesn’t say to me “So what are your plans….Or what are we going to do about this….what is this going to look like?

• I also know the pressure of needs.

Most of my days I don’t have time to go looking or responding to needs.  They come to me.  Often my day is spent just responding to the needs that come to my door.

And those needs are increasing:

Connect – last weeks – 20 new people.

Not want to break any confidences, but we generally come to church for 2 reasons – have a need or buy the vision. Help me or use me.

Well, last week in that small group 3 needs were put there that needed care…significant issues.

And every day you can go home and feel guilt on one of those fronts:

You’ve frustrated people who want to know where the church is going, give me some direction here…

Or

Their frustrated because it seems they are way back in the Walmart line and you aren’t getting to their need.

So Jethro watches what’s going on and he realizes his son-in-law needs some advice. So he makes a suggestion. He says: “Moses, you need help.”

Look again with me to Exodus 18:19-21
“Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.
But select capable men from all the people— men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain— and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”

In other words: don’t quit doing what you’re doing… just learn to share it with others.

a. We see that expressed in Jesus ministry. Jesus didn’t do His ministry alone. He selected 12 men to work along side of Him. And THEN - when he sent them out to do their work - do you remember how he sent them out? “He sent them out two by two” (Mark 6:7 & Luke 10:1)
Why?
Because trying to work for God all by yourself can wear you out.

 

b. In Acts 6 we see this principle adopted again.

The church was growing and the care needs were not being adequately met.  And so what did they do. 

Acts 6:2 - 4

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”  

 

Care became a lay ministry function.  They sat aside 7 men to care for the care needs so that the disciples could do what – “give themselves to ministry of the Word and to prayer.”

 

c. In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul gives this pattern again to the young pastor Timothy.

2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

 d. In Corinthians & Ephesians we read about gift based ministry.  Paul likens us to a body and says as each part of the body does its function the body is healthy and effective.  When parts don’t work it is hampered.

Friends, do you see the pattern here?

 

I want you to note a couple of other things about Jethro’s advice:

 

a. Note #1: Ministry to “10”  

Jethro instructed him to have leaders/caregivers  for 10’s.

 If you are in a small group that you know that generally in that group of 10 at any given time in your group someone is going through a tough time.  Someone needs support, encouragement, care.

• Folks, that’s why we have small groups.
• That’s the genius of Cho and Hoffmans design.
• You can receive all kinds of care in that group whereas if you depend on Moses (pastor) it is not going to happen. 

• Do you know statistically in North America given all the dysfunction in families, all the personal issues that it is estimated that 1 pastor can really care for only 75 – 125 people.
• Can you understand that the size of the average church in North America is roughly that size?   

• One of the primary reasons is we haven’t caught this vision of Jethro.  We still expect in a lot of cases the pastor to do it all.  And a lot of pastors want to do it all – cuz ministry feels good.

 

When I candidated here I asked “What is your vision for the church?”

One person said they could see East Side being a church of 1000 people…

Part of my vision is that extend beyond borders of Swift and it extend also into little towns and villages who no longer can sustain a viable and quality church presence.

Others have caught parts of the vision:

• We have a vision for Centre
• Some a vision for Sports Ministry …leagues
• Some a vision for “spiritual hospital”

 

But regardless of which aspect of the vision…

Question is: How are we ever going to get there?

We have to buy in and heed Jethro’s advice.

It has been said:

Vision is the gift a leader gives to the people; fulfillment of the vision is the gift the people give to the leader

What was true for Moses in the wilderness is true for the church in our day.

And I am thankful for a church that is increasingly buying that vision.

The reason East Side is growing is because of the # of lay lead and lay-driven ministries you saw listed…over 300 positions probably close to 150 – 200 people. And those ministries impacting over 1000 people per year.

That is a major factor in the growth and ministry of East Side

 

You see, I think kingdom growth isn’t highly complex.  The church and kingdom grows with our capacity to meet people’s needs in an effective way.  More people engaged in some way of meeting a need, more lives impacted, more people drawn by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. 

 

b. Note #2: Carrier of the Big Picture

Impact happens not just when we do our job but when we see our part in the big picture.

Difference can be seen in this example

2 responses:

a. Job Fulfillers,/Supporters

Easy to say “That’s annoying”…Why don’t they leave or where’s the usher…they should bring the person a glass of water or a cough candy.”

That is someone who sees just their job. See doing what they do as helping the pastor or church accomplish “their “ vision.  (Note: “their”)

 

b. Carriers

But a person who sees the big picture is a “carrier” of the vision simply sees a person in need and goes and gets a cup of water for the person.  They buy the vision of meeting needs and when they see it, they feel compelled to do something about it.

 

Folks, when as a church we capture the difference in those we move as a church to whole another level. We don’t just support a vision, we carry the vision.

 

Key question is: “Do you carry the vision of Jethro, of lay ministry…of seeing “I play a part in the overall impact of Christ in this community.”  I don’t just support the pastor & his vision, I carry it.  It’s my vision too…”

 

Let me close with this story:

 

During World War II, a church building in Strasbourg was destroyed. After the bombing, the members surveyed the area to see what damage was done. They were pleased that a statue of Christ with outstretched hands was still standing… because it had been sculpted centuries before by a great artist. However, they were saddened to see that the hands of Jesus had been knocked off by a falling beam. It seemed like a great tragedy at the time.
Some time later, a sculptor in the town offered to replace the broken hands as a gift to the church. The church leaders refused. They had had long enough seeing the statue that way that they realized the damage done to Christ actually symbolized a powerful teaching from Scripture. They were called to serve God with all their hearts, but if they didn’t do their part, Christ had no hands. They said that the statue had taught them that the work of Christ had been given to them.

They were his hands.

 

And to over 1000 people in Swift Current and around the world so have you been…

 

Prayer

Lord, we thank you that you have chosen us to be your hands to so many people this past year.  Bless those who offered themselves to be your hands.

Hear our prayer now, as we offer ourselves anew to be your hands in this community, and around the world, anew and afresh.

 

And all God’s people said:

 

Amen 

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* Gershom sounds like a Hebrew term that means “a foreigner there.”

* Eliezer means “God is my helper.”

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. Ex 18:1-27

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. Dt 1:9-12

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. Ac 6:2-4

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. 2 Ti 2:2