Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
"Preventing Burnout” Exodus 18:1-27
I. God Provided Deliverance from Egypt 1-15
II. God prepared for the Development of trust 15-18
A. Bitter water made sweet by the tree 15:22-27
Consistently embrace the cross and brokenness
B. Hunger Satisfied by manna 16
Continually interact with the Word of God.
C. Life and refreshment generated by water from the Rock 17:1-7
Ceaselessly draw refreshment and enabling power from the Holy Spirit
D. Victory secured by intercession 17:8-16
Constantly pray for one another.
Moses had not really been on the job as shepherd of this church for that long and yet was about to fall victim to leadership burn out.
It didn’t take long for his father-in-law to observe a huge problem.
"You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Exodus 18:18
Moses was on track to completely burn-out.
E. Burden of leadership eased by sharing the load 18
Consciously share the load of ministry
1. Facilitate family life 1-6
We are not sure the reasons surrounding the separation. Some think the rift regarding circumcision of the boys (Ex 4:26) caused Moses to “send her away”. Perhaps it was to protect his family from assignation by a perturbed Pharaoh. Whatever the reason, Jethro brought the family back together having heard of God’s deliverance from Egypt. It is interesting to note that the events of our life not only affect us but also affect our children. Moses’ journey even showed up in the names of his children.
The sorrow of a sojourner and castaway.
The delight of a delivered child of God.
A pastor’s ministry is intricately tied to his family. Some churches have the same mentality as the Navy. “If we wanted a pastor with a wife and kids we would have issued one with the parsonage.” Pastor’s wives and kids must endure a great deal at the hands of a church and at the mercy of an absent husband and father. I must declare on this our 29th Wedding anniversary that Chico has consistently cared for our family. I bless you for the support, prayers, love, generosity, patience, compassion, kindness, gentleness you have demonstrated for my family these 15.5 years. The best thing you can do for a pastor is to do all you can to help him maintain healthy relationships with his family. Time off, retreats, prayer
2. Encourage deeper relationships 7-9
Everyone needs human connection. Pastors are notorious isolationists.
Moses and Jethro embraced one another.
Moses and Jethro went into the tent where they talked about what was going on in their life.
Moses shared all the Lord had done to Pharaoh, and the hardships they had endured on the way.
Moses shared how God had miraculously delivered them.
The pastorate can be a lonely place. Where does a pastor go where he can be himself?
Where can a pastor share about his welfare? “Welfare” = completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
Pastors need meaningful touch. Pastors need a chance to share what is going on in their life.
Pastors need a chance to share their stories with others. Complete transparency is a risky venture for a pastor. Developing intimate friendships among the congregation can be a frightening thing.
3. Rejoice and affirm God’s work among His people 10-11
Moses must have been encouraged to hear his father-in-law, a priest of the polytheistic Midianites, acknowledge the superiority of Yahweh over all the gods. What a delight to hear him bless the LORD. Pastors need to be around people who will affirm the hand of God in their life and ministry. Pastors need to hear people rejoice at what God is doing.
4. Participate in corporate celebration and worship 12
It is important for a pastor to join with people gathered to worship God. Pastors draw encouragement when people lift their hearts to God. Pastors need to fellowship before God’s presence with others committed to God.
5. Offer wise counsel 17-27
a) Identify the problem 17-18
Ask clarifying questions. (What are you doing and why?) Offer reasoned opinion.
• Not a good thing.
• You will wear out -- to sink or drop down, languish, fade
• The task is too heavy.
• You can’t do it alone.
Pastors need those who will help see problems more clearly. Pastors need those who will not just point out problems but logically explain why they think it is a problem. Pastors face a task that is too heavy for one person to bear without severe wear and tear.
b) Propose a solution 19-22
It is always important when approaching leadership with solutions to present suggested solution not demands. Help direct not dictate.
“God be with you” “If God so commands you”
(1) Focus on teaching the Word of God and intercession 19-20
Jethro suggested that Moses focus his energy. Channeled energy is much more effective than trying to power everything. Laser beam, power washer
He suggested that Moses concentrate on two specific roles as leader.
• Focus on intercession (you be the people’s representative before God)
• Focus on instruction & training (teach them, make known the walk and work)
Every generation tries to strategize and come up with the new and improved version. Everyone thinks they have the new strategy to revolutionize the way we do things. Some argue that you can’t argue with success. Success in the eyes of man does not always assure success in the eyes of God. The crowds that mushroomed early in Jesus ministry diminished to a handful of disciples who also finally gave up the ship.
God called Isaiah to preach to a crowd that would not respond. Isaiah 6:8-10
The ministry of John the Baptist slid from thousands of people clamoring to the desert to catch every word and give their life to the Lord to a few faithful followers ministering to him in prison. His ministry shifted from the prophesied herald of the Messiah to imprisoned antagonist of Herod wondering if somehow his whole ministry was for nothing. Matthew 11:2-3
Jethro counseled Moses to focus on intercession and instruction.
Hundreds of years later, Peter urged the congregation to allow the apostles to keep their ministry focused. Acts 6:2-4
Paul defined the role of the pastor for the Ephesian church. Ephesians 4:11-16
The growth of the body depends on the proper working of each individual part carrying out the work of service. The proper working of each individual part depends on the instruction and training provided by the teaching and shepherding of the pastor. The faithful teaching of the word provides, foundational truth, reproof, correction and instruction in righteous living so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:17
Jethro counseled Moses to focus on upholding the people before God and teaching them the basic truths about God (doctrine), the way they ought to walk (reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness) and the ministry they should investing in (work of service, every good work). In order for Moses to focus ministry in just two areas there had to be a way to address all the other tasks that had to be addressed. Jethro had a plan for that as well. It is one thing to suggest a necessary change or point out a problem. It is another to offer viable solutions to those problems.
(2) Appoint leaders who can share the load 21-22
Jethro basically suggested a strategy for delegating responsibility; leadership development. The huge group would be divided into smaller, more manageable groups. Jethro had suggestions for the ideal numerical divisions. I find the numerical divisions quite interesting. 1000’s, 100’s, 50’s, 10’s
Jethro also suggested the ideal qualifications of those who would lead groups.
• People who have recognized abilities (able) (God gifts everyone in the body for a purpose)
• People who fear God
• People love the truth
• People who hate dishonest gain (not in it for personal profit or power)
Nehemiah also had a particular criterion for leadership. Nehemiah 7:2
Peter expressed the characteristics of the early deacons. Acts 6:3
The wrong people in positions of leadership can actually add to a pastor’s burden.
The wrong people in positions of leadership can actually add to a pastor’s burden.
It is important that we put people in leadership positions that God has gifted for that ministry.
People trying to operate out of their gifting will quickly burn out.
It is important that we put people in leadership positions that have a vital relationship with God.
Only spirit-empowered leaders bring lasting fruit.
It is important that we put people in leadership positions that have love of the truth.
It is the truth that sets free.
It is important that we put people in leadership positions that are not in it for personal gain.
Jealousy and selfish ambition is the core source of conflict, disorder and every evil thing.
Jethro not only was able to point out the problem and suggest a workable solution but also included what he envisioned would be the results of implementing the plan.
c) Visualize the benefits 22-27
(1) The Load will be easier 18:22a
(2) The people will share the load 18:22b
(3) The leader will last longer (endure) 18:23a
(4) Peace among the people 18:23b
APPLICATION
• Support the family and do everything possible to facilitate their health.
• Encourage the development of deeper relationships where they can honestly share with someone who is genuinely concerned about his welfare. Be such a friend.
• Affirm and celebrate the areas where God is working.
• Commit to faithful celebration and worship together.
• Offer wise counsel with divinely inspired solutions.
Don’t just point out problems. It is pretty likely that he already sees them. Moses knew that he was in trouble. Moses realized that he probably would not be able to keep up that pace. Moses was too buried in the business of ministry to think about how to better accomplish the goal of ministry. The question is what we are going to do about it? To point out a problem without a solution only adds to the burden of a pastor. The only way to enable the pastor to focus on what God calls and gifts him to do is for the rest of the body to focus on what God calls and gifts them to do. We need committed gifted leaders who fear God, love the truth and hate selfish gain who will share the load.
People who will focus on godly means to fulfill our mission as a local church.
People who are willing to dedicate themselves to the service of others.
People who will pray, work, grow, think, invest, support the family.
When we share the load…
The pastor is less stressed and actually enjoys his role.
The people feel a connection to the ministry and the minister (share the load).
The leader is able to endure the load he does have.
There is a peaceful environment.
Because the load was shared, Moses lasted another forty years of ministry
He ministered until his death not his disillusionment or burnout.
