Joshua provides a model to all serving leaders about how to begin well in a new role or position. As we have seen in the previous two issues, he began by acknowledging the realities of his situation, then he believed in God’s promises. But leadership is all about relationships and Joshua also models well how to connect with the people.

¹⁰  So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: ¹¹  “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’ ” ¹²  But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, ¹³  “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you after he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ ¹⁴  Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them ¹⁵  until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” ¹⁶  Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. ¹⁷  Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. ¹⁸  Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”   (Joshua 1:11-18).

By the end of these verses, there was a strong relational bond between Joshua as a leader and those who followed. He was ready to lead and they were ready to follow!

All serving leaders can learn three things from the way Joshua connected with the people.

Connect with the influencers of the people. Joshua first addressed the “officers” of the people. These were the primary influencers in the nation and Joshua connected with them directly. He acknowledged their role and did not attempt to do their work. He gave them a message to deliver, knowing that the people under them would receive the message well from them. Serving leaders recognize that while they may not be able to connect personally with everyone in a large organization, they can connect well with those who influence others. As they establish strong relationships with these influencers, they increase their ability to serve the entire group well.

Connect with the interests of the people. “the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Joshua already knew what the people were interested in, he understood their hearts. They were passionate about entering the land God had promised to them.

Serving leaders learn to know the hearts, passions, and interests of those they lead. They serve them well by pointing out how the next steps take them closer to their goals. They recognize that leadership is not only about helping the leader reach his or her goals, but helping those they serve accomplish the desires of their heart.

Connect with the individuality of the people.  Joshua had special instructions for two of the tribes who were in a unique situation (see verses 12-16). He did not attempt to treat everyone exactly the same way. Serving leaders connect with people by learning their uniqueness. They seek to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each person on their team and they shape their leadership to best serve the individuality of those they lead. Serving leaders serve everyone well but do not serve everyone the same. 

Serving leaders, especially as they begin new roles, make an effort to connect with the people they serve. They learn from Joshua that beginning well always includes strong relationships.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

In the next issue, we’ll begin to look at how Jesus modeled the five actions of serving leaders. 

Copyright, Center for Serving Leadership, 2020. 

As we saw in the last issue, Joshua began well in his new role by acknowledging the realities of his situation. As he began he heard God give him several promises. 

⁵  No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶  Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. ⁷  “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5-9).

At the beginning of his leadership journey Joshua heard and believed these promises which would become foundational to his leadership practice. God gave three promises that all serving leaders rely on, not only to begin their journey, but also to continue well.

God promises His presence.

“I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God promised Joshua that whatever would happen to him as a leader, God would be with him. Leaders make difficult decisions and carry the burdens of knowing their decisions impact all those under their leadership. Sometimes there are choices which need to be made which will not be accepted by those they lead. The weight of these responsibilities can cause a leader to feel lonely. But God promised Joshua that in every situation, he would not be alone, he would have God’s presence with him. Serving leaders acknowledge that they need to draw on a source of wisdom and understanding especially as they step into new levels of responsibility or face unexpected challenges.  Serving leaders rely on God’s presence to give them wisdom for the challenges of leadership. His presence gives serving leaders an awesome advantage!

God promises His power.

Three times in these verses God tells Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.”  Joshua would need strength and power for his new role. He was to lead people into a new land and there would be battles ahead. Leadership requires strength. Joshua was expected to do his part, but it would not be enough. As he began this role, he needed to be aware that he would not succeed because of his own credentials or previous experience. He needed the additional power God promised. So God reminded him the land he would conquer was promised by God and would provide His power to help Joshua accomplish the task. The mission was His! Serving leaders receive training and learn from books and other excellent resources. They work hard and do all they can. But they also gratefully believe that God has promised them the power they need to do what He has called them to do.

God promises His plan.

God expected Joshua to lead well, but He also assured Joshua that He had a plan. He first gives Joshua personal instructions, to carefully obey God’s law so he would “be prosperous and successful.” God would later add more details to this plan but as Joshua began, obedience was the foundation. Serving leaders do not simply develop their own plans; they seek to follow God’s plans. They believe that God’s plan is far greater and more significant than what they can conceive on their own.

Joshua began well by believing the promises God gave him. Serving leaders do the same.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

(If you are not in a new role currently, consider how these question apply to the place where you now serve.)

• In my current leadership situation, how clearly do I sense God’s presence? What difference does it make in the way I lead? Are there things I need to do to increase my awareness of His presence in my daily activities?
• In what way do I need power right now in my leadership? Do I tend to rely only on my own power or do I regularly acknowledge my need for God’s power in my leadership?
• God commanded Joshua, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” In what way do I practice this in my own leadership? Are there changes I need to make to follow Joshua’s example?
• Does my leadership focus primarily on my plans or discovering and implementing God’s plans? In what way is God inviting me to learn more about His plans for my leadership?         

In the next issue, we’ll examine how serving leaders begin well by connecting with people.

Copyright, Center for Serving Leadership, 2020. 

In the last series we learned from Moses how serving leaders transition well. Now, let’s examine the other side of that process, the beginning of a new role for Joshua, his successor. All leaders will experience times when they step into a new position of leadership responsibility or transition to a new organization or group. What does it look like to begin well? In this series we will examine at the ABC’s of beginning well from the life of Joshua: Acknowledge realities, Believe in God’s promises and Connect with people.

Leaders often begin roles with unrealistic expectations. They may expect it to be the best role ever or they may have doubts about their competence for the task. In either case serving leaders need to acknowledge the realities as Joshua did.

¹  After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³  I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses (Joshua 1:1-3).

From Joshua serving leaders learn to acknowledge three realities as they begin new roles.

Acknowledge the past.

Joshua was reporting for duty in his new role.  The first thing that God speaks to him acknowledges the past, “Moses my servant is dead.” Ponder that for a moment. With five simple words God acknowledges the great leader that preceded Joshua. Moses walked through the Red Sea and met with God on Mount Sinai! It was a tough job for Joshua to follow in his footsteps. God did not want Joshua or serving leaders to ignore the past as they begin a new role.

Serving leaders acknowledge their own past. They bring their personal history into the new role. They acknowledge what they learned in the past from their mistakes and victories.

Serving leaders also acknowledge the past which belongs to the organization they are joining. They are eager to bring their own gifts and calling to the new role and to bring change, but before they seek to change the future, they acknowledge the past! If they have a predecessor, they seek to learn about what that person did and why they led in that way. They speak respectfully of those who came before them no matter what their performance.  Serving leaders acknowledge and learn from the past but they don’t dwell on it.

Acknowledge the present.

God moves quickly from the past to the present. “Now then, you….” Moses was gone and would not return. Joshua is now the leader of the people. God wants him to acknowledge this reality. Joshua needed to learn to see himself in a new way for the new role. He was no longer the assistant to the leader; he was now in charge! Serving leaders accept the mental change that needs to happen in a new role but not with pride or confidence in themselves. They acknowledge with humility and gratitude their new position of service.  

Acknowledge the task.

Then God reminds Joshua of the work ahead, “Now then…. get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land…” God had work for Joshua to do and it was a huge task, leading a nation of people into hostile territory.  God has a task for all serving leaders who begin new assignments or carry on at old ones. Serving leaders have roles because there is work that needs to be done to accomplish God’s purposes for a particular place and time. Serving leaders acknowledge that God has given them a place to serve to accomplish His task. They recognize that leadership is not about them but the great purpose of God. They begin well by acknowledging the realities of the past, the present and the task at hand.  

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

(If you are not in a new role currently, consider how these questions apply to the place where you now serve.)

• What history do I need to acknowledge to serve well in my present role? How do I speak about those who came before me? Is my tendency to focus on the past too much or too little?
• Do I accept myself and the role in which I now serve? Is it easier for me to see myself less than or greater than I should see myself? What does this say about the condition of my heart? Take a moment to allow God to speak to you about the condition of your heart. Ask Him to bring to your mind ways that He wants you to bring yourself to your current role. 
• What is the task to which I am called? Is it clear to me how God intends for me to use my position of influence to advance His purpose in the group I serve? If not, what do I need to do to clarify this call? 

In the next issue, we will look at how leaders begin well by believing in God’s promises.   

Copyright, Center for Serving Leadership, 2020. 

We have looked at how Moses acknowledged the realities in his transition and how he blessed Joshua, his successor. In this final issue, we will look at how he cherished the relationships. The story tells us the profound impact of his death on the people. “The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over” (Deuteronomy 34:8).

The death of Moses was a monumental event for the nation of Israel. Moses led them out of Egypt and for forty years in the desert. He was the only leader they had known and now he was gone! Their mourning demonstrated the depth of relationships that Moses had with the people.

In the thirty days of mourning they must have recalled the many stories of his leadership. They remembered how he confronted Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea, brought them the Ten Commandments, covered his shining face after being in God’s presence, constructed the tabernacle, and ordained Aaron. They told stories of the time he brought water from the rock, watched the earth swallow Dathan and Abiram, put up the bronze snake to save them from the plague and appointed 70 elders.

Moses’ transition reminds us all that leadership is ultimately about relationships. His leadership was not about how many people he led or how many years he led them. His influence was not measured in the distance he took them from Egypt to the border of the Promised Land. His leadership was measured by relationships. In transition, servant leaders learn to cherish all the relationships involved.

Cherish the relationships of those you have led. Moses loved the people he led. The entire book of Deuteronomy is his farewell address to the people for whom he was willing to give up his place in heaven (see Exodus 32:31,32). As he came to the end of his leadership journey, he took one chapter (Deuteronomy 33) to bless each of the tribes. Moses’ transition reveals the grieving of the loss of relationships that was required.

Servant leaders learn that a part of cherishing relationships is to release them. A transition in leadership requires a change of relationships and a releasing of those you have loved. A servant leader may be able to maintain friendships with people after they move on, but they acknowledge that they will no longer be their pastor, boss, manager or director. Servant leaders cherish these relationships but do not expect them to continue in the same way.

Cherish the relationship with those who will lead. We have already looked at the way Moses blessed Joshua, his successor as he laid hands on him in the presence of everyone. Earlier, Joshua was by his side as he sang his final song to the nation (Deuteronomy 32:44).

Moses honored this relationship and demonstrates to all servant leaders how to cherish the relationship with our successor. There can be some tension or awkwardness in the relationship with the one who follows you. But servant leaders honor their successor by refusing to listen to the questions or complaints of those they previously led. They graciously point others in the direction of the new leader.

Cherish the relationships of the future. Moses’ transition was a final departure from this world. He entered into a new realm of eternal relationships. But for most of us, our transition will lead us from leadership in one group or location to another. The time of mourning will one day be over as it was for Moses.

While servant leaders grieve the loss of relationships in a transition, they anticipate with joy the relationships of the future. Their heart to serve will lead them to new relationships. And as they pour their life and love into those new relationships, with time these relationships will become as rich and full as those they are leaving behind.

Servant leaders transition well. Whether they are going through a transition or preparing for one they learn from Moses to acknowledge the realities, bless their successor and cherish relationships.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

• In the transitions I have observed, how have I seen leaders doing well at cherishing relationships? How have I seen relationships handled poorly?   
• In previous transitions in my leadership, how well have I done at cherishing relationships? What was the result?
• In my current role, what do I need to do today to cherish the relationships God has entrusted to me?
  
  

In the last issue we looked at how Moses accepted the realities of his transition. Now, let’s turn our attention to Joshua, his successor.

“⁹Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses. ¹⁰Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, ¹¹who did all those signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. ¹²For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel” (Deuteronomy 34:9-12).

Moses blessed Joshua in several ways and shows all servant leaders how to bless their successor when they transition.

Prepare them well. Joshua was “filled with the spirit of wisdom.” This came after years of investment and preparation by Moses in his life. Moses shared responsibilities with Joshua. He provided opportunities for Joshua to encounter God and mingle with other national leaders. Joshua was able to gain experience in battle, make mistakes, and much more. When it was time for transition, Moses had already prepared Joshua well.

Servant leaders don’t wait for transition to invest in the lives of other leaders, it’s a part of their heart to see others succeed. They bless their successor by preparing them well. In situations where the leader does not have the privilege of choosing their successor, they do their best to hand over in a way that allows their successor to succeed. And they do all they can to prepare the people to receive the new leader.

Commission them well. Moses “laid hands on him.” This symbolic act was a significant part of Moses’ transition process. By laying his hands on Joshua, Moses publicly acknowledged that he was no longer the leader. His hands blessed Joshua to succeed him as he transferred his leadership authority. The outcome was beautiful, “the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.”

When servant leaders transition well, God’s work continues without interruption. Servant leaders don’t quietly exit their roles. They openly bless the new leader and seek to transfer to him or her the trust and influence they have worked hard to develop. Publicly and privately they do all they can to ensure the success of their successor.

Leave them well. The final gift that Moses gave to Joshua was to disappear from the scene! He didn’t stay around to evaluate Joshua’s effectiveness or to point out mistakes. He left! Servant leaders transition well by leaving when their time finishes. Servant leaders don’t need to die to leave well! But they let their ego die and make sure they get out of the way of the new leader. They make it clear that they will no longer serve in their former role. When possible and appropriate, they provide physical distance of space and time to allow the new leader to pick up responsibilities without their interference.

Obviously, there may be times when a transition involves a gradual transfer of power and the transitioning leader continues to provide some form of mentoring or coaching to the new leader. This can be a healthy transition. But there will always be a time when staying longer does more harm than good! Servant leaders are willing to leave and let others pick up their role.

Servant leaders long for the success of the group they lead. So, they prepare successors long before their transition. And when it is time to transition, they bless them with good preparation and public commissioning. Then they get out of the way!

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

• In transitions I have observed how have I seen leaders doing well at blessing their successor? How have I seen a lack of blessing for successors? What were the long-term results? 
• In previous transitions in my leadership how well have I done at blessing my successor?
• In my current role, what do I need to do today to best prepare for another person to succeed me?

In the next issue, we’ll examine the “C” in the ABC’s of transitioning well:

Acknowledge the Realities

Bless the Successor

Cherish the Relationships.

Every leader will sooner or later come to a time of a change of leadership. This transition may happen by choice, circumstances, God’s call, or simply the passing of time. So, all leaders are either coming from a transition, working on a current transition, or laying the foundation for a future transition!

As I write, I’m facing a significant transition in my own leadership. So perhaps I’m writing this for my own benefit, but I invite you to discover with me how servant leaders transition. We’ll examine the final transition of Moses’ life where he models the ABC’s of transition: Acknowledge the Realities, Bless the Successor, and Cherish the Relationships.

“¹Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, …. ⁴Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.” ⁵And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. ⁶He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. ⁷Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.  The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over” (Deuteronomy 34:1, 4-8).

One moment Moses was a great leader of an entire nation. The next moment he transitioned to his eternal reward. The first thing servant leaders can learn from his transition is to acknowledge three realities.

Acknowledge the reality of what has been done. Moses had led the nation through some very difficult times. I’m sure as he climbed slowly up the mountain he reflected on the parting of the Red Sea, the 10 Commandments, the water from the rock, and other highlights of his 40 years of leadership. Much had been done.

Servant leaders acknowledge with gratitude to God all that has been accomplished. And when they have led well, much has been done. They are not proud of themselves but are able to celebrate the reality of what God has done!

Acknowledge the reality of what remains undone. God provided Moses with a glimpse of the land promised to his people. I can feel Moses’ pain as he heard God’s words, “You will not cross over into it.” For years Moses had kept the vision alive but now he was leaving, and much was undone.

When servant leaders face transition, they acknowledge that there are things which remain undone. Whether that is because of their own mistakes (as it was with Moses) or simply because the time has come to transition, they accept the reality that much remains undone. They understand that God’s vision is always greater than their own leadership and some aspects will not be achieved before they transition.

Acknowledge the reality of what will be done. As Moses scanned the land of Israel, he could see what would happen after he was gone. Another leader would do what he had not!

This painful reality is not easy for any leader to accept. Some leaders don’t acknowledge the reality that they are growing old! Or that they have done all they can do for the organization. Or that others are needed to step in with new gifts to breathe new life into the vision. But servant leaders learn from Moses to acknowledge this reality when it is time for transition.

Servant leaders in transition celebrate what has been done while acknowledging that God will use another leader to accomplish what remains undone. They acknowledge these realities as they follow God’s direction in transition. They cry out to God to guard their hearts against pride, jealously, or a sense of failure. They are willing to keep serving in the place to which God will lead them.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

• In transitions I have observed, how have I seen leaders doing well at acknowledging the realities? How have I seen them not acknowledge realities?     
• In previous transitions in my leadership, how well have I acknowledged what has been done, what remains to be done and what will be done?
• In my current role, what do I need to do today to best prepare to transition well?

In the next issue, we’ll look at the “B” in the ABC’s of transitioning well:

Acknowledge the Realities

Bless the Successor

Cherish the Relationships

Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: "I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, 'You shall not cross the Jordan.' The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said (Deuteronomy 31:1-3).

One final task remained for Moses’ leadership, passing the baton to the next leader, Joshua. This transition left a legacy for the children of Israel and shows us the way servant leaders handle similar transitions.

Servant leaders step down.

Moses was very old by our standards and told the people that he is no longer able to lead. However, he was not quitting because of his age. Scripture is clear that his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone (Deut. 34:7). Moses was still able and ready to cross over the river and see his dreams come true. But it was time for him to step down. Why? The LORD has said to me… We all love the call to positions, but find it very difficult to hear God calling us from positions. Moses was a servant and realized that leadership was a gift from God that could be revoked at any time. God may tell us to step down at the height of success, or when we grow old. In either case, servant leaders don’t cling to their positions and find the right time to step down.

Servant leaders lift up.

Woven throughout the story of Moses’ leadership is his relationship with and training of Joshua, preparing him for leadership. His action at the end of his life was not a hasty decision; he had been training Joshua for years! He gave Joshua responsibilities like standing watch at the tent of meeting, spying out the land and fighting the Amelekites. He helped prepare Joshua for leadership many times by simply taking him along with him as he demonstrated leadership. They were together on the mountain when God gave Moses the law. Servant leaders realize that they will not be in a position forever and that God has called them to lift up other leaders.

Servant leaders hand off.

Moses didn’t simply get out of the way; he deliberately installed Joshua as the new leader. In a powerful symbolic act, Moses laid his hands on Joshua in public and released him to lead (Numbers 27:18-22). He took the initiative to ensure that his successor was properly trained and then released to do the work. It was a beautiful example of a smooth transfer of power. Many leaders stumble at this point either by not being willing to release the work to someone else or by not declaring publicly their confidence in the new leaders’ ability. Servant leaders bless their successors and then get out of the way. They leave a legacy as they release the baton into the hands of their trained successor. They finish well!

Moses, what a leader! For the past 17 issues we’ve examined his leadership. He was certainly not perfect but was an outstanding example of a person who learned to lead others with the heart of a servant. We do well to learn from his life.

The background reading for this issue is: Deuteronomy 31-34. (See also Exodus 17:9-14; 24:13; 33:11; Numbers 11:28; 13:16; 27:18-22; 34:17; and Deut. 3:21-28)

For further reflection and discussion:

• What have I observed in leaders who are not willing to step down? What happens to them and to those who follow?
• If God asked me today to relinquish my role, would I willingly obey?
• Am I actively training others to take over my responsibilities? Have I identified someone who can take over my role? Do I purposefully take an apprentice with me for on the job training?
• When it is time for my transition, what will I do publically to pass on the baton to others?
• What key things have I learned from this study of the life of Moses and what steps do I need to take to put them into practice?

We’ve looked at Moses’ leadership from many different perspectives as he led through some victories and also tough times. But hidden in the chapters of specific incidents about which we read I find the greatest challenge Moses faced: leading in between. Think about it, for forty years Moses led the nation of Israel around and around in the desert waiting for everyone from that generation to die. They had left the past behind, but the dream of the future was still a distant goal. It was leadership going nowhere except to funerals! By the most conservative estimates, one million people died during those 40 years. That’s about 68 funerals a day! I like baptisms, child dedications, new members’ classes, weddings, sales parties, etc. They are signs of growth and moving forward. But what leader likes funerals or leading when the goal is far in the future?

While Moses’ situation was extremely unusual, there may be times when we are called to lead when the way forward is not clear or the usual marks of progress are not available. It was not Moses’ fault that they would not reach the promised land and it was not a result of poor leadership. When we find ourselves in that desert experience what can we learn from Moses about how servant leaders deal with these periods?

Surrender your own dreams.

When he began leading Moses at least had something to look forward to accomplish, he was going to lead a nation into a new land. That’s enough to get any leader’s adrenaline moving! Moses anticipated a couple months journey through the desert. Instead, he got forty years of in between leadership. To keep leading, Moses had to surrender his own dreams of grand success. There are no awards, no prizes, no coveted speaking engagements for those who lead in the desert. Desert leadership is not fun! Moses could not have lead in this desert before he first had his own desert training. Death to self is required before anyone can do this and only servant leaders are willing to sign up for these jobs!

Keep people moving.

For forty years, Moses kept people moving. Some of it was practical; they had to find new places for water and graves! But I think Moses also realized that even in the desert places of life, people need direction and they need leaders that motivate them to keep moving. I would be tempted to find a shade tree and wait for the next generation! But Moses, day after day, sounded the call to pack up move on.

Focus on the eternal.

What kept Moses going all these years? Certainly it wasn’t the direction they were going or the desire to achieve great things. It wasn’t the hope of a promotion or increased salary. As I reflect on what kept him going I conclude that when all the external things leaders look for were stripped away, Moses was left with the most important, his relationship with the One who called him. He was able to look past the funerals, past the complaints, past the sand in his tent and keep eternity in perspective.

“He was looking ahead to his reward.” (Hebrews 11:26) His focus on the eternal allowed him to persevere through the desert and remain effective as a leader.

As I reflect on Moses’ leadership in the desert, I want to honor those among us whom God has called to lead in places that may seem to not have the recognition and honor of coveted leadership positions. I salute those who work behind the scenes, those who are serving daily to make someone else’s dream come true, those who are called to lead others through a transition and then fade into the background, the interim pastors and small business owners. May God put your names close to Moses’ in His hall of fame!

The background reading for this issue is: Numbers 33

For further reflection and discussion:

• In what way is my present leadership ‘in between’ the past and the future?
• What are the things to which I must die to be able to lead people through a time with no visible progress?
• How can I motivate people to keep moving, when the ultimate goal seems out of reach?
• What can I do today that will help me focus on the eternal rather than my current situation?

Perseverance is a great attribute of leadership and the apostle Paul is a great example of this attribute. But servant leaders also know when their time is up and they should change direction. Luke’s simple statement of his experience with Paul provides profound insights for servant leaders. “But when our time was up, we left…” (Acts 21:5) What characteristics do leaders need to have in order to recognize when their time is up?

Sensitivity to God’s timing.

Paul knew that God’s plan for him was to keep moving towards Jerusalem. He enjoyed the fellowship of friends, but realized that his time was up with them. Servant leaders who are sensitive to God’s voice are able to hear that it’s time to move on. Business leaders are able to hear Him whisper that it’s time to sell the business or stop a product line before it is apparent to others what is happening. Church leaders can hear His voice whisper that it’s time to move on to another field of ministry.

God’s timing is often predictable. He uses us in leadership until we have equipped others to carry on the work and then He calls us to move on. But other times God’s timing may go against our intuition and requires keen sensitivity to His voice. We may be in the midst of a season of great fruitfulness when God asks us to leave. This was the experience of Philip in Samaria. (See Acts 8:5-26) This sensitivity is developed as leaders take time to deliberately hear the voice of God and His direction for their leadership.

To think about: Is God calling you to persevere, or is He calling you to move on?

Willingness to radically obey.

Paul had to tear himself away from relationships that were very precious to him and go against the pleadings of dear friends to follow God’s timing in his journey to Jerusalem. He even heard prophets warning him of the cost and asking him to reconsider his plans but he followed God in total obedience.

Servant leaders must be willing to take steps of radical obedience when the time is up especially in situations that are counter intuitive. This does not mean that they ignore Godly mentors and the counsel of others but they must be secure enough to leave their comfort zone and walk in obedience. It is costly to obey, especially after organizations have been established and develop traditions. Obedience is often replaced with convenience. Programs that have served well in the past may need to be abandoned because their time is up. Methods that produced great results may likewise need to be abandoned. Servant leaders are particularly vulnerable to preserve the status quo because of their love for people and their heart to keep people happy.

To think about: Are you willing to obey even when you don’t understand?

Openness to new opportunities.

Leaders who know when to move on open the door to many new opportunities. Paul’s insistence on going to Jerusalem eventually opened the door for him to preach the Gospel in Rome, the world capital. In addition, we still benefit from the books he wrote while in prison that would not have been written if he would have stayed in Tyre for more fellowship with dear friends. The security of the known often keeps us from the opportunities of the unknown. When we hear God and move on, it may open doors for other leaders to develop. It may keep our focus outward instead of inward. It may broaden our network of relationships used to further the Kingdom of God. It may open new doors for greater profitability or Kingdom expansion.

To think about: What might you miss by not being willing to move on?

For further reflection and discussion:

• What is my personal tendency as a leader, to stay too long or to leave too early? (Identifying personal inclination can help a leader recognize whether to work more on perseverance or leaving.)
• Are there places I am currently serving in which God is saying “Your time is up?”
• What is the result when leaders should move on but refuse to leave?
• Are there programs/products/traditions in my organization that have outlived their usefulness? What keeps me/us from acknowledging that their time is up?
• What happens when programs or methods which should be discarded are allowed to remain?