Numbers 11 and a Pentecostal Theology of Church Leadership
Finally, the ninth important truth I see from Numbers 11 for us as leaders is that we must have the heart of God and look forward to His goals, as Moses did here at the end of this passage. Moses looked ahead to Pentecost and expressed the heart of God in the wish that all his people would be prophets and have the Holy Spirit on them to provide that intimate communion with Him and experience of his power for His mission in this world. Moses modeled a leader’s return to the faith that focuses on God’s promises and to leadership that helps the people move toward God’s goals. If we will yield to the heart cry of God we will seek to see all God’s people in ministry for him, empowered by his Spirit. If this is truly our heart’s desire we will work to organize the church or ministry we lead in a way that encourages such a wide distribution of ministry. Pentecost is a grass-roots, non-elitist, movement. God’s goal is that all his people would participate in his work on earth. When we are truly Pentecostal, we expect God to empower other people to accomplish the mission. That lifts the false burden of self-sufficiency. Seeing God work supernaturally in his people also helps one keep perspective and faith. It seems to be a result of the Spirit-event of Numbers 11 that Moses resumed his patient intercession for the people. Ashley, in his commentary, suggests, “Perhaps the experience of the shared Spirit is ever the antidote for the weary, harried, threatened leader.”10
Numbers 11 points us to Pentecost as God’s answer to our stresses in ministry and challenges in leadership. It also helps keep us focused beyond ourselves on God’s mission to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I conclude that Numbers 11 teaches that the big question is not what will I be able to accomplish in my leadership ministry or will I come up with the “winning plan” for my ministry. It is rather, will I trust God and be led by him? Will I be thoroughly and consistently Pentecostal? Will I have God’s priority of seeing all his people functioning as Spirit-filled, prophetic ministers?
Numbers 11 is truly a foundational passage for Pentecostal church leadership. What else do you see God saying here?
PR
Notes
1 Wilf Hildebrandt, An Old Testament Theology of the Spirit of God (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1995), 110.
2 Roger Stronstad, The Charismatic Theology of St. Luke (Peabody, MA: 1984 ), 17, 22; Hildebrandt, 110, 157-158. “Paradigm” is an outstanding example, an archetype, a model, or a picture of what is intended for all in parallel situations. “Programmatic” refers to a plan or pattern of actions and experiences leading to a goal or desired result.
Category: Biblical Studies, Summer 2009
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