February 25th, 2025
by Pastor Josh Hayward
by Pastor Josh Hayward
Beloved Kinney,
I was struck by the reading of Numbers 11 in the Bible Reading Plan when Moses was getting overwhelmed by the burdens he carried as the solo leader of the people of Israel. He said, “I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me.” (v14) So God told him, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you.” (v16)
God, in his wisdom, gave Moses help to carry the burdens of leadership so he wouldn’t be crushed by the weight of leading alone. This is God’s pattern in Scripture. That’s why Paul told Titus to “appoint elders [plural!] in every town [i.e., church—singular!]. (Titus 1:5)
I read Numbers 11 after our first Elder Meeting with Dillon and Logan as our newest Elders. Listening to their wisdom and insight, hearing of the burdens they feel for members of our church, hearing them pray for specific members, watching them take initiative in pursuing various pastoral tasks…I was, once again, struck by the beauty of plurality.
God designed the church to be shepherded by a plurality of pastors, not just one. The burdens of the church must be shared. The ministry of the church must be divvied up. The care of the church must be spread out. The wisdom required to lead the church must be multiplied.
A church is so much healthier when it is led by a plurality of godly, humble, qualified, faithful, Bible-saturated men who love the Lord Jesus Christ and love his church. I’m so thankful to add Logan and Dillon as pastors of Kinney! Bill and I (and you all!) are confident they fit that description. Praise God for his provision in godly pastors!
Love,
Pastor Josh
I was struck by the reading of Numbers 11 in the Bible Reading Plan when Moses was getting overwhelmed by the burdens he carried as the solo leader of the people of Israel. He said, “I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me.” (v14) So God told him, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you.” (v16)
God, in his wisdom, gave Moses help to carry the burdens of leadership so he wouldn’t be crushed by the weight of leading alone. This is God’s pattern in Scripture. That’s why Paul told Titus to “appoint elders [plural!] in every town [i.e., church—singular!]. (Titus 1:5)
I read Numbers 11 after our first Elder Meeting with Dillon and Logan as our newest Elders. Listening to their wisdom and insight, hearing of the burdens they feel for members of our church, hearing them pray for specific members, watching them take initiative in pursuing various pastoral tasks…I was, once again, struck by the beauty of plurality.
God designed the church to be shepherded by a plurality of pastors, not just one. The burdens of the church must be shared. The ministry of the church must be divvied up. The care of the church must be spread out. The wisdom required to lead the church must be multiplied.
A church is so much healthier when it is led by a plurality of godly, humble, qualified, faithful, Bible-saturated men who love the Lord Jesus Christ and love his church. I’m so thankful to add Logan and Dillon as pastors of Kinney! Bill and I (and you all!) are confident they fit that description. Praise God for his provision in godly pastors!
Love,
Pastor Josh
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Thank you for this encouraging devotion! It has helped me apply it to my week at work.
This is so encouraging, yes, praise Jesus for the work He’s doing! I am thankful to God for the plurality of God fearing and humble men helping love Christ’s bride! Thankful for our pastors :)