The Moses Example

Regardless of your views of church governance, there is a lot to glean from the leadership of Moses.  While I do not see the "Moses Model" of leadership as the prescriptive pattern for the church today with Jesus Christ as the Head of the Body, we would do well to demonstrate the meekness, boldness and faith he did during our earthly pilgrimage. 

When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, we see a man stripped of all aspiration to be known by the Hebrews as a deliverer.  According to the promise and direction of God Moses went back to Egypt out of obedience.  Moses was not a perfect man by any means, but any man the LORD refers to as "My servant" ought to grab our attention.  He was a man who feared God, prayed to Him often, who heeded advice from his father-in-law and delegated leadership roles to others.  He wished all people would prophesy and gave no place to insecurity, that only a select few were worthy to operate in spiritual gifts given by God.  When he was accused of pride and vilified by his own family Moses fell before the presence of the LORD without pleading his case or seeking to justify himself.  The testimony of Moses is truly the awesomeness of the great God of Israel who delivers, guides, provides and saves.

Moses along with other men, women and children who feared God provide examples (of what to do and not to do) and inspiration for followers of Jesus today.  Ultimately it is Jesus we look to as our example, for it is He we follow and strive to obey.  After the Passover meal Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, a task reserved for the lowest slave.  John 13:12-17 says, "So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."  God has placed people in the church in different roles, and having been born again and filled with the Holy Spirit we are enabled to love and serve one another.

There are many kinds of church leadership structures which can be easily submitted to when we do as Christ says:  knowing we are to follow the example of Jesus, we are blessed when we do according to His promise.  Knowledge of correct doctrine is of critical importance but also heeding and practicing what Jesus has commanded.  We might be able to define "agapao" but words are of small benefit unless we are demonstrate sacrificial love like Jesus did by denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily and following Him.  The model Jesus provides for the individual members of the church is Himself, and we are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices unto Him which is our reasonable service regardless of role.  When we are governed by the fear and love of God we will be blessed and a blessing by God's grace.