Came across these notes from a talk by Oscar Muriu, Pastor of Nairobi Chapel on the subject of Multiplying Leaders in a Church context. Some of the best thoughts I’ve come across.
1. Size of The Harvest Depends on How Many Leaders
Matthew 9:37-38 “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
The more harvesters we commission the greater the harvest will be. Jesus 1st strategy was to find his leaders & invest in them. If you don’t have leaders around you your impact is limited to your personal capacity.
2. Live for the Next Generation.
Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
David’s was not living for his own generation. The problem when you live for your own generation is that your vision will die with your generation. Generation is 20-40yrs. Oscar uses an internship program consisting of 1yrs training and mentoring, to ensure that the next generation, are being impacted and included.
3. Identify the budding leader and take them to the Lord in Prayer.
Numbers 11:10-18 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled.1 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favour in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone. “Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it.
Moses was struggling with discouragement and burn out when he complained. He found 70 in one day!! Some of your best leaders are right there under your nose. Raise up Sons and Daughters for ministry.
4. Instill the 5 loves into the leaders.
Mark 12:30-33 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Heart = character “from the heart comes”, Soul = conviction, Mind = comprehension, Strength = competence, Neighbour = compassion
5. Never do ministry alone. Like Jesus, always take people with you!
Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
They had been with Jesus and it was noticeable.
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Paul Benger 